Top 5 Condo Loft Conversions in Ottawa
When you think condominium living in Ottawa, you’re probably thinking tall, brand-new buildings with floor to ceiling windows and lots of elevators.
Here are a few little-known gems that have fascinated me since getting into real estate. These converted condos may not have the amenities of large condo buildings, but they are incredibly unique. These 90s & early 2000s re-purposed spaces are the kind of places that get a “this exists in Ottawa?!” reaction.
95 Beech | The Warehouse Lofts
Neighbourhood: Little Italy
Built: 1899
Converted: 2000
Developer: Craig Callan Jones
30 units
Originally built in 1899 to house the mica works factory and general railroad contracting. At that time this was in between Ottawa’s two major railways. The 1930’s-40’s saw Therien Co., a rug, upholstery and furniture cleaning company. Mortimer’s operated a printing business here until the 1970’s. Throughout the 1980’s-90’s the building was a Cream Jeans Co. manufacturing facility. Several other commercial tenants spent time here in the 90’s until the conversion into lofts.
These condos have high ceilings, and lots of exposed brick and beams.
19 Melrose | School House Lofts
Neighbourhood: Hintonburg
Built: 1912
Converted: 2009
Developer: Regional Group
12 units
The most recent conversion on our list is the School House Lofts building off Wellington St. West in Hintonburg. The “School House” used to be École du Sacre-Coeur, a French language elementary school for nearly 100 years. It is now a designated heritage property, chosen to remind us of the struggles of those in the Francophone community as they protested the Ontario government for their right to educate their children in French.
The condos themselves are known for their high ceilings, exposed brick, and large terraces.
589 Rideau | Wallis House
Neighbourhood: Lower Town
Built: 1873
Converted: 1996
Developer: Wilberfoss Inc.
46 units
Wallis House was originally built in 1873 to house the Carleton County Protestant General Hospital. After the construction of the Civic Hospital, the building was used first as a Seminarium by the Roman Catholic Church, and then by the Royal Canadian Navy to house its first female regiment! Nearly a century after the addition of the buildings East wing, and a narrowly avoided demolition, the former hospital was purchased and converted into lofts.
The condos themselves vary widely by size and by design - years of different style-minded tenants have also brought unique updates and renovations. Building amenities include elevators, storage lockers, guest suites, and a rooftop terrace with BBQs.
120 Holland | The Lofts
Neighbourhood: Wellington West
Built: 1956
Converted: 1998
Developer: Routeburn
16 units
Has anyone else mistaken these exclusive condos as office space?? The original two-storey Laura Secord factory was built in 1956, with floors three, four, and five added about 10 years later. The building was converted to lofts in 1998.
The condos themselves feature extremely unique windows — they have 15 panes of glass within 1 window section. Something I love about this is the interior look of a ‘floor to ceiling’ window, but they retain space at the perfect height to push furniture against the wall, making every wall in the extremely long main rooms usable.
24 Springfield | Schoolhouse Square
Neighbourhood: New Edinburgh
Built: 1910
Converted: 1997
Developer: Domicile
19 units
St. Charles School closed in 1972 and the building was then used for social service offices, storage, and as a theatre until its conversion in 1997.
The two storey units feature hardwood floors, huge 8 foot windows and high ceilings.
The conversion project also included the construction of new townhomes in the former schoolyard, on a beautifully secluded private one might not notice from the main road.
A unit in any one of these buildings spends on average under 2 months on the market.
Sales data from MLS | days on market
95 Beech = 45 days
19 Melrose = 39 days
589 Rideau = 43 days
120 Holland = 56 days
24 Springfield = 37 days
If something becomes available that interests you, act fast because they don’t last!
Don’t hesitate to reach out if you are interested in more details on these buildings.