Major Ottawa Development Breaks Ground with Focus on Sustainability and Urban Integration
Colonnade BridgePort and the Fiera Real Estate CORE Fund have officially commenced construction on Junction Central, a significant mixed-use residential community designed to revitalize a previously underutilized 4.9-acre site in Ottawa. The groundbreaking ceremony featured key representatives from both development firms alongside Ottawa city officials, marking the beginning of a project positioned to become a premier urban hub.
Strategic Location and Project Vision
Located at 25 Pickering Place, Junction Central occupies a strategically advantageous position adjacent to Ottawa's main train station, Tremblay LRT station, and the Trans-Canada Highway/417 East. This transit-oriented location represents a deliberate effort to create a community that seamlessly integrates with existing transportation infrastructure while addressing Ottawa's growing housing needs.
"Through thoughtful and deliberate planning, we're transforming an underutilized site into a mixed-use community strategically supported by existing transportation infrastructure," explained Kelly Rhodenizer, Senior Vice President of Development at Colonnade BridgePort. "Junction Central is designed to integrate housing and public space in a way that supports daily activity while contributing to the long-term revitalization of the area."
Phase I Features and Sustainable Design
The initial phase of Junction Central will introduce two residential towers named Linq and Connex, delivering 498 rental units ranging from studio apartments to three-bedroom suites. The development has been engineered to balance high-density urban living with environmental stewardship through several key features:
- LEED Silver Certification: The entire building complex is designed to meet LEED Silver standards, ensuring superior energy efficiency and environmental performance
- Green Amenities: A signature rooftop terrace will include a dedicated dog run and lush communal spaces for residents
- Low-Carbon Transportation Support: Comprehensive electric vehicle parking infrastructure and a large, secure bicycle room will support Ottawa's expanding cycling network
- Urban Integration: Ground-floor retail spaces and public areas are specifically designed to foster an active, pedestrian-oriented environment
Partnership History and Development Significance
Junction Central represents the third multi-residential rental development collaboration between Colonnade BridgePort and Fiera Real Estate, following their successful execution of the Westboro Connection and Hintonburg Connection projects. Led by CBP Development, this project also marks the third initiative within Colonnade BridgePort's substantial $2 billion development pipeline.
"Junction Central reflects the type of development the Fiera Real Estate CORE Fund seeks in its long-term real estate investment strategy," stated William Secnik, Senior Managing Director and Fund Manager. "Developing new assets in select transit-oriented locations in growing markets enables the Fund to add needed rental housing stock that is operationally efficient and meets the needs of the community."
Secnik further emphasized that "Junction Central represents an important investment into the Fund's 'Build-to-Core' program, whereby newly built, leased assets support the portfolio's diverse income profile."
Financial Context and Portfolio Strategy
The Fiera Real Estate CORE Fund operates as a $5.1 billion pan-Canadian, open-ended investment strategy diversified across geography and asset types. The portfolio primarily consists of institutional-grade industrial properties, multi-residential rental buildings, office spaces, and grocery-anchored retail properties distributed across Canada's major markets. The Fund's primary objective focuses on delivering strong risk-adjusted returns through disciplined portfolio construction and prudent capital deployment strategies.
This groundbreaking ceremony signals the beginning of a development that promises to transform an underutilized Ottawa site into a vibrant, sustainable community while contributing to the city's housing inventory and supporting its urban development goals through transit-oriented design principles.
