441 Echo Dr | 24m | 7f | Proposed

[rocketphish]

JB Holdings is proposing to construct a six (6) storey, 19.5-metre tall, mid-rise apartment building at 441 Echo Drive, to replace the existing four (4) storey low-rise apartment building.

52 units are proposed, with a proposed unit mix as follows:
1 BR 18
1 BR + Den 11
2 BR 20
2 BR + Den 1
3 BR 2
Total 52

Three (3) levels of underground parking are proposed with 54 vehicle parking spaces accommodated, including 50 resident parking spaces and 4 visitor parking spaces. 56 bicycle parking spaces are proposed, all of which are proposed to be located indoors, for long-term resident use. Four (4) grade-related units with associated front patios are proposed along the Echo Drive frontage.

Private and shared amenity space is proposed to support future tenants. Private amenity space includes at-grade patios and private balconies; shared amenity space includes indoor and outdoor rooftop amenity spaces and a rear yard with a landscaped path, trees, shrubs, and grass.
The present connection to McGillivray Street is proposed to be fenced off with a gate installed. The former drive aisle is proposed to be landscaped with trees and shrubs.


Architect: Project1 Studio


Development application:
https://devapps.ottawa.ca/en/applications/D07-12-26-0051/details


Location:








Siteplan:






Renderings:

[vtecyo]

Hm... 52 units and 54 parking spaces in 3 underground parking levels - in a location that centrally located?

If it's a rental building - I don't think they'd have any trouble filling the place even if they chop that down to 20 to 25 spaces. They could probably squeeze them all into 1 or maybe 2 underground levels - and save a bundle on the excavation costs.

[Coho]

What will happen to the tenants in the existing bldg?

[J.OT13]

Yeah, seems like a lot of parking. Less parking = cheaper rent = easier to get more tenants and less maintenance.

[SL123]

I have been wishing for this type of midrise on the whole length of the canal one day...or lets say just pass Uottawa to Lansdowne

[Richard Eade]

It doesn’t look like this building will be trying to attract lower-income folks. With higher-income people, parking is essential. They will all own (at least) one car. Even though they might take transit or walk to work, they still need a place to store their car between shopping and cottage trips.

[Ottawacurious]

https://www.jbholdingsinc.ca/listing/441-443-echo-drive

Looks like they do a lot of rentals. Safe to assume this would be rentals as well?

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by Ottawacurious

https://www.jbholdingsinc.ca/listing/441-443-echo-drive

Looks like they do a lot of rentals. Safe to assume this would be rentals as well?

For sure. The condo market is dead.

[urbanforest]

This is interesting. I just walked by this property a few days ago and remarked how it was a nice example of a modest mid-century missing middle building which undoubtedly provides affordable and comfortable housing to anyone who can't afford an $800k starter home in the neighbourhood.

I have to stop myself from sounding like a NIMBY but it seems a shame to demolish a 4 story building only to rebuild with two more floors and many much smaller units. Yes, this will thankfully eliminate some surface parking, but the enormous cost to build three levels of underground parking is hardly progress, especially in one of the most walkable and bikeable locations in the city.

Speaking of NIMBYs, they're going to have a field day with this. A few years ago, the adjacent neighbours to the north, 435 Echo Drive, requested a minor variance to allow a new house to be built 1 metre taller than is currently allowed, and the community association (read: BANANA gang) successfully fought against their application.

I hope they can somehow preserve the two maple trees out front, like they did at 28 Pretoria.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by urbanforest

This is interesting. I just walked by this property a few days ago and remarked how it was a nice example of a modest mid-century missing middle building which undoubtedly provides affordable and comfortable housing to anyone who can't afford an $800k starter home in the neighbourhood.

I have to stop myself from sounding like a NIMBY but it seems a shame to demolish a 4 story building only to rebuild with two more floors and many much smaller units. Yes, this will thankfully eliminate some surface parking, but the enormous cost to build three levels of underground parking is hardly progress, especially in one of the most walkable and bikeable locations in the city.

Speaking of NIMBYs, they're going to have a field day with this. A few years ago, the adjacent neighbours to the north, 435 Echo Drive, requested a minor variance to allow a new house to be built 1 metre taller than is currently allowed, and the community association (read: BANANA gang) successfully fought against their application.

I hope they can somehow preserve the two maple trees out front, like they did at 28 Pretoria.

I agree. I don't like to see existing, usually more affordable housing, replaced. I also hate to see nice old houses demolished for modern mcmansions. Shouldn't be allowed 1:1 replacement.

[rocketphish]

Six-storey building proposed for Echo Dr. near Flora Footbridge

By Marissa Galko, OBJ
May 28, 2026

Ottawa-based JBPA Developments is proposing a new six-storey residential building in Old Ottawa East, overlooking the Rideau Canal and near the Flora Footbridge.

According to planning documents, the new building at 441 Echo Dr. would have 52 units, with a three-storey underground parking garage able to accommodate 54 vehicles and 56 bicycles. It would have a mix of one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom units.

In addition to the residential units, a communal amenity area is proposed through a 230-square-metre rooftop lounge and terrace, as well as 320 square metres of private amenity space through at-grade patios and balconies.

The 1,393-square-metre site is currently occupied by a four-storey apartment building, which would be demolished, and an associated surface parking lot. The site is near a two-storey dwelling to the north, three residential properties to the east, a two-storey detached dwelling to the south and the Echo Drive right-of-way to the west. It is steps away from the Rideau Canal, near Saint Paul University.

JBPA Developments is seeking zoning amendments to raise the maximum height of buildings at the site from 14.5 metres to 19.5 metres, as well as reduce the number of short-term and inclusive bicycle parking spaces.

While the proposed building would be taller than others in the area, a planning rationale by Fotenn Planning + Design outlines how it would fit into the existing space.

“The proposed development has been designed to serve as a complementary backdrop to the Rideau Canal. The proposed development, if approved, would be taller than surrounding buildings and will be visible from the Flora Footbridge. Therefore, mitigating impacts from the additional height was a key driver of the design,” the document said.

“On the lower levels, a brick framework projects out from the face of the building. This creates articulation and, coupled with the recessed balconies, creates a highly varied building elevation that will offer contrasting shadowing over the course of the day. Continuing up, the building is set back on level (four) and then again on level (six). The rooftop amenity space has also been designed to minimize its impact and ensure that it does not read as a seventh storey. The indoor amenity space is set back from all sides and the canopy that extends to the west, shading the outdoor space, is lined up with the elevator so that it is not readily visible at ground level.”

Vehicle access to the site would be reduced on Echo Drive. The access point on McGillivray Street would be removed, being converted into soft landscaping.

The city’s planning and housing committee will consider the zoning by-law amendment on Sept. 2.

https://obj.ca/six-storey-building-proposed-echo-dr-near-flora-footbridge/