Brigil is adding to its growing pipeline of mixed-use development proposals in Ottawa with a plan to build two highrises comprising nearly 600 apartments on Richmond Road.
Brigil is adding to its growing pipeline of mixed-use development proposals in Ottawa with a plan to build two highrises comprising nearly 600 apartments on Richmond Road.
The new project calls for two towers of 28 and 32 storeys connected by a four-storey podium. The Gatineau-based builder’s proposal for the northeast corner of Richmond Road and Assaly Road comes follows its recent applications to build mixed-use projects at the site of the old Greyhound bus station in Centretown and at a three-acre property on Baseline Road.
The one-acre development site at 1299 Richmond Rd. is located just a few hundred metres north of the former Lincoln Heights Shopping Centre. Like the Baseline Road site, it is currently occupied by a strip mall, which would be demolished to make way for the new development.
The two highrises would contain a total of 590 apartment units, including 316 bachelor or one-bedroom suites, 253 two-bedroom units and 21 three-bedroom apartments. The proposal also calls for about 8,000 square feet of commercial space divided into six units as well as a small public park at the west end of the site.
Current zoning bylaws limit building heights at the property to 11 metres. Brigil is proposing an amendment to allow towers of up to 115 metres.
As in other projects it recently announced, the developer also wants to limit the amount of parking at the new development in a bid to reduce residents’ dependence on cars.
Just 188 residential parking stalls would be available in an underground garage, far fewer than the 283 spaces required under current zoning regulations.
Planning documents included with the application note that the site is within 400 metres of the future Lincoln Fields LRT station and is close to local bus routes along Richmond Road and other adjacent streets.
“The proposed reduction in parking is appropriate for the subject property given its location to both local and rapid transit,” the documents state.
“The surrounding area offers sufficient alternative modes of transportation, making a reduction in automobile reliance appropriate.”
In a recent interview with OBJ, Brigil vice-president of development and design Jessy Desjardins said the company is scoping out other properties along the city’s light-rail corridors that also could be suitable for intensification.
“We’re obviously very keen on developing any transit-oriented sites,” Desjardins said. “I think that’s going to be a major key to improving the city and help it grow in a way that is more climate-friendly.” 
