What Happened

Fengate Asset Management celebrated the groundbreaking of West Orchard Urban Rentals, a new mixed-use rental community located at 1047 Richmond Road near Ottawa's Westboro neighbourhood, on July 14, 2026. The project is being developed in partnership with the LiUNA Pension Fund of Central and Eastern Canada and The Hi-Rise Group, with PCL Construction serving as the builder. The 37-storey development will deliver 425 new homes, including 15 designated affordable units, positioned at the future New Orchard LRT station and near The Queensway. Councillor Theresa Kavanagh, Joseph Mancinelli, and Jaime McKenna spoke at the event to mark the occasion. This development marks the third residential community by LiUNA and Fengate in Ottawa, following previous projects Milieu & Ballantyne at 175 Main and 1140 Wellington Street West. The LiUNA Pension Fund of Central and Eastern Canada, established in 1972, is recognized as one of the fastest-growing multi-employer pension funds in Canada.

Why It Matters

The West Orchard Urban Rentals project adds to the supply of new rental housing in Ottawa, specifically targeting the transit-oriented development corridor near the future New Orchard LRT station. By including 15 designated affordable units within a 425-unit building, the project addresses specific housing needs in the Westboro area. The involvement of major institutional investors like the LiUNA Pension Fund highlights the continued capital flow into Ottawa's rental market despite broader national trends of softening rental conditions due to increased supply. The project's location near major bus routes and future light rail infrastructure underscores the city's focus on transit-connected housing. This development follows a pattern of institutional investment in Ottawa's residential sector, reinforcing the role of pension funds in local housing supply.

Market Impact

The addition of 425 rental units, including affordable housing, contributes to the local rental inventory in Ottawa's Westboro neighbourhood. The transit-oriented nature of the project may influence property values and rental demand in the immediate vicinity of the future New Orchard LRT station. The inclusion of affordable units provides specific housing options for lower-income residents in a high-demand area. The project's completion will add to the overall rental supply in Ottawa, potentially affecting vacancy rates and rental growth in the short to medium term.

Builder / Developer Perspective

PCL Construction is responsible for building the 37-storey West Orchard Urban Rentals, marking a significant construction project in Ottawa. The project's scale and mixed-use nature require coordination between residential, commercial, and transit infrastructure. The involvement of The Hi-Rise Group as a development partner indicates a collaborative approach to delivering complex urban projects. The project's timeline and delivery will be influenced by construction costs, labour availability, and regulatory approvals. The success of this project may influence future development strategies for Fengate and LiUNA in Ottawa.

BurnabyHouse Insight

The West Orchard Urban Rentals project exemplifies the ongoing trend of institutional capital, particularly from pension funds like LiUNA, flowing into Ottawa's rental market. The focus on transit-oriented development near the future New Orchard LRT station highlights the importance of infrastructure in shaping housing demand and value. The inclusion of affordable units reflects a growing emphasis on mixed-income communities in urban development. This project follows a pattern of strategic investment by Fengate and LiUNA in key Canadian cities, indicating a long-term commitment to the rental sector. The success of such projects will depend on the alignment of housing supply with transit infrastructure and demographic trends.