Richcraft heads to Little Italy

Richcraft Homes is set to join SOHO and Domicile in the development of Little Italy/Dow's Lake, as they negotiate the final details of the purchase of the Dow Honda dealership on Carling Avenue, just west of Preston Street:

Between the recent construction on Preston St and the anticipated expansion of the O-train track immediately to the west, Dow Honda feels the time is right to move.

So far no specifics details have been released about Richcraft's development plans, which is set to include a mix of residential, office and retail space in this most enviable location just steps from Dow's Lake Pavilion. Given the disappointing results seen at SOHO Parkway on Parkdale, I don't believe I'm alone in welcoming a new developer into this neighbourhood.

Welcome "hom" to Little Italy

Is it just me that gets a decidedly Ikea-esque vibe from Domicile's latest project?

Welcome hōm, or at least the Domicile version according to plans filed with the city for a 12-storey building fronted by 6 townhouses:

After a slooow start out of the gate with One Three One, it seems that Domicile is taking no chances on their third instalment in Little Italy slash Dow's Lake: the project's tagline is "Nice Place, Nice Price" and a slew of activities has been scheduled for what's being billed as hom's "Launch Week".

First off is a sneak preview and group hug with realtors next week, followed the week thereafter by a first time homebuying seminar, a feelgood session about hom's LEED certification, a meet-and-greet with Domicile's executive team and then the actual launch itself, broken up over 2 days, and set to feature not one but two models. Saturday, March 5 is slated for the initial sales of "hōmSuites" on levels 2 through 10, with a separate launch on Sunday, March 6 for the "Penthōms" on levels 11 and 12. No word on the how and where to reserve a townhouse although I'd be surprised if this "nice price" rings in at less than $600K.

Those interested in taking part of the launch can register by visiting their website at http://domicile.ca/hom

SOHO Italia by the numbers...

Number of storeys allowed by current zoning on Preston St = 5
Number of storeys granted by rezoning of site = 19
Number of storeys being proposed by developer = 35
Number of condo units proposed for this project = 230
Number of parking levels proposed for this project = 5
Number of SOHO buildings currently planned for Ottawa = 5

Domicile forges ahead in Little Italy

With the success of the Merrion Square project under its belt, Domicile plans to seek rezoning for another 12-storey building of 101 units up the street at the former Hutchings & Patrick plant on the corner of Hickory. According to Domicile president John Doran, "We like to get into neighbourhoods that are emerging."


Sounds like a plan to me; this is a great and underrated neighbourhood steps from Dow's Lake, ample parkland, bike paths and scores of restaurants and cafés along Preston St. There are also some excellent businesses worth patronizing: Preston St Hardware, the Gladstone Theatre and Darrell Thomas immediately come to mind. With a growing business district, a good supply of office space and possible expansion of the O-Train corridor, this is definitely a neighbourhood (and project) to watch.

Confirmed Location for SOHO Lisgar

My earlier guess at SOHO Lisgar coming to the Golden Triangle was a wrong one at that, but I have now confirmed that in fact Mastercraft Starwood plans to redevelop the site at Canus Plastics (just east of Bank St) into their latest bank of Ottawa luxury condos...


...with a third project—SOHO Champagne—planned for Dow's Lake/Little Italy, reputedly on the long defunct "Acquerello" site that was recently sold after being marketed for $5.6 million.

Second Avenue West by Domicile

The sales launch of Domicile's Second Avenue West condos is this Thursday June 11th from 5 to 8pm at 619 Bank Street, the ground floor retail front of their 'g' building at Patterson Avenue.


Although these units are being billed as Glebe condos, caveat emptor as this is actually an area christened as "The Glebe Annex" when Charlesfort marketed their own Powell Lofts a few years ago. Second Avenue West is in fact quite a clever play on location as Domicile is actually building on the lots at 804-824 Bronson Ave to the west side of the street—Second Ave just happens to be the nearest intersection. Those hoping for a taste of life in The Glebe should factor in at least a 15-minute walk to Bank Street, but the serenity of Dow's Lake, along with "the life and the lattes" of Little Italy, are within closer reach.

Don't get me wrong, one can hardly blame Domicile for fudging the location as Bronson Avenue is not exactly Ottawa's most desirable address. That said, it is certainly nice to see some more condo activity in the Bronson area as—traffic aside—this urban burgh is well situated mid-way between both The Glebe and Preston Street. I am browsing through copies of the floorplans and pricing for Second Avenue West and will post again shortly with my thoughts on both.