A 20-storey affordable housing development in Lowertown is moving ahead after Ottawa Community Housing awarded its construction contract to Laurin Construction.
The Beausoleil development will bring 159 new affordable homes to Lowertown, replacing an existing parking structure in Ottawa's downtown core, according to a news release from Ottawa Community Housing. The building will offer one- and two-bedroom units, including 32 accessible homes.
A '15-minute neighbourhood'
The site sits within what the housing provider describes as a 15-minute neighbourhood, meaning residents will be close to public transit, community services, parks and local amenities. Future tenants will also have access to indoor and outdoor communal spaces.
Construction is scheduled to begin in summer 2026.
"This milestone advances the delivery of new affordable housing in Lowertown and in Ottawa's downtown core," said Stéphane Giguère, CEO of Ottawa Community Housing, in the release. "It reflects our continued progress in expanding housing supply, with a focus on efficient delivery and innovative approaches to building new homes for the community."
"This milestone advances the delivery of new affordable housing in Lowertown and in Ottawa's downtown core," said Stéphane Giguère, Chief Executive Officer of Ottawa Community Housing. "It reflects our continued progress in expanding housing supply, with a focus on efficient delivery and innovative approaches to building new homes for the community."
The contractor, which was founded in Ottawa in 1985, welcomed the selection.
"Laurin Construction is pleased to be selected as the construction partner for the Beausoleil development," said Travis Grimes, president of Laurin, in the same release. "We look forward to working with Ottawa Community Housing to deliver a quality building that supports the needs of residents and the surrounding community."
"Laurin Construction is pleased to be selected as the construction partner for the Beausoleil development," said Travis Grimes, President of Laurin. "We look forward to working with Ottawa Community Housing to deliver a quality building that supports the needs of residents and the surrounding community."
Ottawa's primary community housing provider
The project adds to a large portfolio. Ottawa Community Housing provides roughly 15,500 homes to about 33,000 tenants across the city, including seniors, families, individuals and people with disabilities.
The organization manages about two-thirds of the city's community housing portfolio, making it the second-largest provider of its kind in Ontario. In 2026, OCH was named one of the National Capital Region's Top Employers for the ninth year in a row.
The Beausoleil project is the latest step in the provider's push to expand affordable housing in the downtown core, where land is limited and demand is high. By replacing a parking structure with a high-rise residential building, the development converts a low-density site into 159 homes within walking distance of transit and services.
Further details on construction timelines and tenant allocation were not included in the announcement.
