Before a possible boom in condominium development on Catherine Street, some Centretown organizations are questioning the effect too many new buildings may have on neighbourhood housing.
In addition to the newly revealed, 19-storey SoBa condominium on Catherine Street set for completion in 2014, Fortress Real Capital and Lamb Development Corp. are working together to build the Gotham condo at Lyon and Gloucester streets, which should be finished next year.
The Toronto-area companies have also expressed interest in two more properties in SoBa’s area, but have not released details.
This summer, the city indicated plans to intensify Catherine Street and the surrounding area by allowing the development of 20 to 30-storey buildings, says Jawad Rathore, Fortress Real Capital’s chief strategic officer.
The SoBa building will help revitalize Catherine Street, he says.
“With more people living there, there’s going to be more reason for the area to be busy at night and not just during work hours,” says Rathore. “It’s not too far from downtown and not too far from the Glebe. It’s a winner that people are going to love.”
He isn’t the only one who says he looks forward to seeing more condos in Centretown.
“More residents mean a larger market for businesses, which then move in to service the larger population, contributing to the (area’s) revitalization,” says Jordan Charbonneau, acting president of the Centretown Citizens Community Association.
The development of more condos is an example of how cities are evolving to accommodate people who want to be part of densely-populated communities, he says.
But condos shouldn’t be the only housing options in the neighbourhood, he adds.
“Giving people choice is a good thing,” he says. “So by having rental units, condos and fully detached housing in our community, all Centretowners benefit.”
Another local organization says it’s worried there could eventually be a lack of affordable housing options.
“There certainly needs to be some way of preserving a balance between rental apartments and condos,” says Raymond Sullivan, executive director of housing for the Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation.
The corporation is the driving force behind the Beaver Barracks – an affordable rental housing project on Metcalfe Street and Argyle Avenue.
Completion of three more buildings, including one on Catherine Street, is expected next spring.
With more land being dedicated to condominium projects, less can be used to build inexpensive housing, says Sullivan.
“Even if some condos are modestly priced, coming up with a down payment, or getting a mortgage from a bank, can be an obstacle for a lot of low-income households,” he argues.
And since most condos are made up of bachelor and one-bedroom units, he adds, they are of no use to families in need of a home.