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Background


The subject development site is located at 214-224 Somerset Street East, next to the Sandy Hill Community Centre. Originally built in 1902, the now vacant building once provided 45 one-bedroom homes and is at the end of its life cycle.

OCH plans to demolish the vacant building and redevelop a new four-story building with 23 studio homes.  This building will offer supportive housing, with design considerations for programming space.

Sustainability Features: 

  1. High-performance Mechanical and Electrical Systems 
  2. Roof Top Solar panels  
  3. Enhanced Accessibility and Barrier-Free design  

Status

In Design Phase

Expected Completion Date

To be Determined

Background

Ottawa Community Housing’s Beausoleil Project is a new development adjacent to 200-201 Beausoleil Drive in Ottawa, which includes two existing high-rise buildings owned and operated by OCH.

Located along the eastern portion of the site, at the corner of Beausoleil Drive and Chapel Street, the development is a 20-storey residential apartment building, including a 6-storey podium. 

This project is currently in development (planning phase), subject to available financing, and requires approval from the City of Ottawa. 

Other Design Features in the Building Include the Following : 

Sustainability 

Status

In Design Phase

Expected Completion Date

To be determined

Important Milestones

Background

Shearwater Court is a 74-townhouse community that was constructed in 1982. This community is in the south end of Ottawa near Uplands Drive.  

The block of nine townhomes located at 1 Finch Private (known as Shearwater Court) is at the end of its life cycle, and OCH plans to demolish them and redevelop a new six-story building with 45 one-, two-, and three-bedroom units.  

This redevelopment benefits the community by providing nine fully renewed homes while providing an increase in density of 36 additional homes.  

Other design features in the building include the following:  

Sustainability Features: 

Status

In Design Phase 

Expected Completion Date

Summer 2026

Important Milestones:

  • When will I know how this will impact me? 

    Keeping tenants informed continues to be one of OCH’s top priorities. We are in the final stages of the Shearwater Court Development Plan, and with funding secured, an estimated construction start of January 2025 is planned.

  • How can I provide input as to what is developed? 

    OCH held a community information session on July 11, 2023, where the community had an opportunity to provide feedback. This feedback has been incorporated during the design phase.

  • I live in the neighbourhood, but I’m not an OCH tenant. What does this mean to me? What can  I expect? 

    Once construction begins, there will likely be some noise, heavy machinery, and potential water and electrical disruptions typically associated with construction. A broad community meeting will be held once a contractor has been engaged, but before construction commences, to speak in more detail and answer questions on these items. Further, OCH, contractors, and/or the city will share information once construction commences and in advance for service disruptions. You can also visit this webpage for the latest updates.

  • When will construction begin? 

    OCH has secured funding and is actively working to engage a contractor to advance this project to the construction phase. It is anticipated that demolition of the existing townhouse block will begin in early 2025, and construction will start in Spring 2025.

  • How will the community be kept safe during development? 

    A full construction/community safety plan will be developed once a contractor is engaged to start construction. This includes fencing, construction vehicle control, scheduling more hazardous activities during times that impact the community less, and frequent on-site inspections by the OCH project management team to help identify/address concerns/issues quickly. All residents can call OCH at 613-731-1182 (option 1) at any time should there be a safety concern.

  • I have questions: who can I contact? 

    Send inquiries by email at info@och.ca:
    Subject line: Shearwater Court Development

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