Centretown is Ottawa's densest residential neighbourhood, stretching from the Rideau Canal to Bronson Avenue and from Gloucester Street to the Queensway. The housing stock is predominantly brick row houses and low-rise apartment buildings, with construction dates ranging from the 1880s to the 1940s.
Centretown is Ottawa's densest residential neighbourhood, stretching from the Rideau Canal to Bronson Avenue and from Gloucester Street to the Queensway. The housing stock is predominantly brick row houses and low-rise apartment buildings, with construction dates ranging from the 1880s to the 1940s. Newer condo buildings and infill projects are interspersed throughout. Centretown's walkability, transit access, and proximity to employment make it highly desirable. Row houses that sold for $300,000 a decade ago now command $500,000–$800,000+, justifying significant renovation investment. The neighbourhood's heritage character adds both value and complexity to renovation projects.
Centretown's brick row houses present unique renovation challenges. Party walls shared with neighbours require careful demolition and construction to prevent damage and minimize noise. Narrow lots (typically 15–20 feet wide) limit layout options and make material staging difficult. However, row houses offer excellent renovation opportunities. Rear additions and extensions are common, adding kitchen and living space where narrow lots limit width. Third-storey additions are possible where zoning permits, adding bedrooms or a rooftop terrace. Opening the ground floor to create a single flowing kitchen-dining-living space is transformative. Typical Centretown row house renovations include: ground floor opening with modern kitchen ($40,000–$70,000), bathroom renovations (usually 1.5 baths, $20,000–$40,000 total), rear extension or addition ($60,000–$150,000), basement finishing or underpinning ($30,000–$60,000), and full system upgrades ($20,000–$40,000).
Parts of Centretown fall within Heritage Conservation Districts or contain individually designated heritage properties. Even outside designated areas, the neighbourhood's character is protected through zoning and design guidelines. For heritage-designated properties, exterior changes require heritage approval. Common requirements include: maintaining the original brick facade (never paint or clad heritage brick), using heritage-appropriate windows and doors, maintaining the scale and profile of the roofline, using compatible materials for any visible additions, and preserving original architectural details (cornices, lintels, transom windows). Interior renovations are generally unrestricted. The contrast between a preserved heritage exterior and a thoroughly modern interior is one of Centretown living's greatest appeals.
With Centretown's narrow lots and compact floor plans, space optimization is essential. Effective strategies include: open-concept ground floors that combine kitchen, dining, and living ($15,000–$25,000 for wall removal and finishing), built-in storage throughout — under stairs, in walls, over doorways ($3,000–$8,000), pocket doors instead of swing doors to save floor space ($300–$600 each), utilizing the full basement depth — underpinning to 8+ foot ceilings enables comfortable living space ($25,000–$45,000), and rear decks or patios that extend living outdoors ($5,000–$15,000). Light is at a premium in row houses with windows only at the front and rear. Glass rear doors, skylights ($2,000–$5,000 each), light tubes ($500–$1,000 each), and light-coloured finishes maximize natural light penetration.
Renovating in Centretown requires contractors experienced with urban construction logistics. Street parking for work trucks and material delivery requires City permits ($50–$100 per day). Dumpster placement on the street also requires permits. Material delivery must be scheduled carefully as storage space is limited. Just-in-time delivery scheduling minimizes staging needs but requires precise coordination between contractor and suppliers. Noise and dust affect immediate neighbours more than in suburban settings. Good contractors communicate with adjacent homeowners, schedule noisy work during considerate hours, and implement dust control measures. Party wall work (any construction touching the shared wall with a neighbour) requires a party wall agreement and potentially a building condition survey of the neighbouring property before work begins ($500–$1,500 for the survey).
A comprehensive renovation costs $100,000–$300,000. Individual projects: kitchen opening $40,000–$70,000, bathroom renovations $20,000–$40,000, rear addition $60,000–$150,000, basement finishing $30,000–$60,000.
If your property is heritage-designated, painting brick is typically prohibited as it damages the masonry and alters the heritage character. Even for non-designated properties, painting brick is generally discouraged as it traps moisture and causes long-term damage.
Potentially, depending on zoning. Third-storey additions must comply with height restrictions and may require heritage approval if the property is designated. A pre-consultation with the City of Ottawa's Planning department ($150–$300) will clarify what's possible.
Before any work affecting party walls, notify your neighbour, get a building condition survey ($500–$1,500), and potentially arrange a party wall agreement. Use careful demolition techniques and protect the shared wall during construction.
If your basement has less than 7.5-foot ceiling height, underpinning ($25,000–$45,000) creates comfortable living space. In Centretown's market, the added square footage typically adds more value than the underpinning cost.