Jul 6th, 2026

News Release: Ottawa Community Housing Awards Construction Contract for New Affordable Housing Development in Downtown Ottawa 

Ottawa, ON – July 6, 2026 – Ottawa Community Housing has awarded the construction contract for the Beausoleil development to Laurin Construction, to deliver 159 new affordable homes in Lowertown and advance housing supply in Ottawa’s downtown core.  

The new 20-storey residential building will replace a parking structure and deliver 159 new one- and two-bedroom homes, including 32 accessible homes.  

Located within a 15-minute neighbourhood, residents will benefit from access to public transit, community services, parks, and local amenities. 

Future residents will have access to indoor and outdoor spaces for community use. 

Construction is scheduled to begin in summer 2026.  

Quotes

 “This milestone advances the delivery of new affordable housing in Lowertown and in Ottawa’s downtown core,” said Stéphane Giguère, Chief Executive Officer of Ottawa Community Housing. “It reflects our continued progress in expanding housing supply, with a focus on efficient delivery and innovative approaches to building new homes for the community.” 

“Laurin Construction is pleased to be selected as the construction partner for the Beausoleil development,” said Travis Grimes, President of Laurin. “We look forward to working with Ottawa Community Housing to deliver a quality building that supports the needs of residents and the surrounding community.” 

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Media Contact

Michaela Ianni 
Media Relations Specialist    
Ottawa Community Housing    
media@och.ca    
343-961-4035     

Quick Facts

• Location: 200 Beausoleil Drive / Friel Street Community, Lowertown, Ottawa 

• Homes: 159 one-bedroom and two-bedroom homes. Of the 159 homes, 32 will be accessible.  

• Building: 20-storey residential tower with a six-storey podium. 

• Construction partner: Laurin Construction  

• Architect: Diamond Schmitt Architects 

• Funding: Supported by the City of Ottawa and Government of Canada through Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Build Canada Homes, Housing Accelerator Fund, and Seed Funding.  

• Sustainability: Follows Passive House best practice to minimize ongoing heating/cooling energy costs,  reduced carbon footprint, and incorporates best practice design for seniors/accessible/visitable/barrier-free housing. 

• Anticipated construction start: summer 2026 

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Ottawa Community Housing  

Ottawa Community Housing offers approximately 15,500 homes to about 33,000 tenants, including seniors, families, individuals, and people with disabilities. These homes are located in various communities throughout Ottawa and house a diverse population with different languages, cultures, and ethnicities. OCH is Ottawa’s primary community housing provider, managing two-thirds of the city’s housing portfolio and ranking as the second largest in Ontario. In 2025, OCH earned recognition for the ninth consecutive year as one of the National Capital Region’s Top Employers.  

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LAURIN Construction    

LAURIN is a Canadian construction company founded in Ottawa in 1985. For more than 40 years, we have approached construction with a focus on planning, collaboration, and accountability, bringing together owners, consultants, and trades around a shared vision for success. Backed by experienced people and a hands-on approach, we are committed to delivering projects that are as rewarding to build as they are to complete.