Ottawa developer Richcraft Homes is proposing to build a new shopping centre in Orleans that would include a grocery store and anchor retailer.
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Ottawa developer Richcraft Homes is proposing to build a new shopping centre in Orleans that would include a grocery store and anchor retailer.
The commercial plaza, which would be built on a 10.5-acre lot at 2226 Mer-Bleue Rd. in the southern part of Orleans, would consist of 10 buildings, including the grocer and retailer. The other buildings proposed include five separate retail units and three multi-unit retail buildings.
According to a design brief for the project prepared by Hobin Architecture and Fotenn Planning and Design, the development would have a gross floor area of 8,757 square metres across all buildings.
The anchor retailer would account for 1,520 square metres, while the grocery store would occupy 3,086 square metres.
Both buildings would be built in the first phase of the two-phase project, alongside two single retail units. The remaining buildings would be completed as part of the second phase.
The project is being proposed as part of the third phase of the city’s East Urban Community Secondary Plan to grow and develop the area around the site.
“The planning area is envisioned to be a new complete neighbourhood for Orléans and the rest of the city,” the design brief said. “Its mix of housing, employment, institutional and commercial services, combined with leisure and recreational opportunities will make it an attractive place to live, work and play.”
Located south of Brian Coburn Boulevard near the intersection with Mer-Bleue Road, the site is positioned close to the future Cumberland Transitway line, with two bus transit stops nearby. Several major pathways with dedicated cycling routes that extend throughout Orleans are also in the site’s vicinity.
Also included in the design are 328 outdoor parking spaces, including 22 accessible and 10 loading spots. There will also be 24 bicycle parking spaces.
Increased interest from developers
The proposal comes as Orleans sees increased interest from developers looking to build housing projects.
Toronto-based investor Forum Asset Management recently proposed a development east of Place d’Orléans Shopping Centre that would feature four mixed-used towers from 30 to 40 storeys, a nine-storey midrise residential building and a new community centre. In total, that project would see more than 1,500 new residential units added to the area.
Theberge Homes has also made a multi-tower proposal, with an application to build four towers of 24 to 32 stories that would create more than 1,200 units. The lot for that project is located on the corner of Tweddle Road and Jeanne d’Arc Boulevard near the Ottawa River.
Quebec construction company EMD-Batimo is eyeing a vacant lot near the future Place d’Orléans LRT station, where it hopes to build two towers of 12 and 14 stories with a total of 354 residential units.
And Petrie’s Landing, a four-tower development on Jeanne d’Arc Boulevard by Brigil, is currently under construction and set to open this summer. Nearby, a recent commercial development added a pharmacy, dental clinic and restaurants to the area.
