Plan calls for construction of two high-rise towers of 26 and 35 floors in Barrhaven

One of Ottawa’s tallest residential buildings could be built in Barrhaven.

The City of Ottawa has received an application for the construction of two mixed-use high-rise towers at the corner of Marketplace Avenue and McGarry Terrace, near Strandherd Drive, and a 4,700-square-foot (440 m²) publicly accessible courtyard.

The proposal, called Marketplace Towers West, calls for a 26- and 35-story tower with 592 residential units, consisting of 46 bachelor’s units, 290 one-bedrooms, 244 two-bedrooms and 12 three-bedrooms. There would also be a 10-story connecting tower between the two towers and 11,04 square feet of “at-grade commercial space.”

“The 10th floor of the links section will be dedicated to amenities such as a banquet hall, fitness room, golf simulator and an outdoor infinity pool on the rooftop. With a rooftop terrace and an infinity pool on the 12th floor,” the design concept report said.

There would also be six underground parking levels with a total of 653 parking spaces.

The Marketplace Towers West project includes plans for two “generously proportioned courtyards,” the larger of which will open onto Marketplace Avenue. (City of Ottawa website)

The application states that the proposed residential buildings will be located within 400 meters of the Marketplace Station, a transfer point for the OC Transpo service.

The city says the application seeks an amendment to the Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw to allow construction of the tower. Since the Barrhaven Downtown Secondary Plan allows for heights of up to 30 stories, the city would need to approve an amendment to allow heights of up to 35 stories.

Stantec’s proposal says that the 32nd and 33rd floors of the west tower and the 20th and 21st floors of the east tower of Marketplace Towers West will be dedicated to amenities. The proposal says that the west tower will have a space for a “public restaurant, viewing deck and amenities.” (City of Ottawa website)

A 35-storey building would be among the tallest in Ottawa. The Claridge Icon in Little Italy is 45 storeys. Trinity Centre at LeBreton Flats is approved for 65 storeys but construction has not yet begun, while one of two towers at Lansdowne will be 40 storeys.

In 2019, an 18-storey residential building was constructed on McGarry Terrace and just east of the proposed buildings in Barrhaven are two towers of 15 and 17 storeys (150 Marketplace Avenue).

According to the application, the project will be built by Stantec and Kionas.