Brigil Construction inaugurated the first phase of The Dale on Thursday, a 33-story tower that makes it the tallest rental residential tower in Ottawa.
The $300 million project, located on Parkdale Avenue in Ottawa, features 283 high-end apartments in the first tower, with 240 more to come in its second 29-story tower, construction of which began last spring. “An organic connection will link the two towers at ground level, allowing everyone to enjoy the common areas of both buildings,” explained Vice President Jessy Desjardins. “What’s most important to us is that we’ve created a vertical community that works on every level. We’re connected to transportation, both active transportation and public transit. And inside the building, we really have spaces for all residents. We have a pool, a gym, lounges, panoramic views, and a café. So, no matter where you live in the building, you have access to all of that. I think our greatest pride is offering this lifestyle to everyone in the region.”
The Dale is a significant economic driver for the neighborhood and the city, as it will inject substantial funds into local shops, restaurants, and services. “This revitalization will have an impact on economic activity but also create a ripple effect on surrounding cultural and social activities, which is excellent news for our city,” said Mayor Watson.
Good news for the housing shortage?
The rental prices for the luxury units at The Dale range from $1,555 to $2,900 per month, depending on factors such as the number of bedrooms.
Jessy Desjardins acknowledges that the units themselves may not necessarily be considered affordable, especially given the ongoing housing shortage, particularly for more affordable units, on both sides of the river. However, he suggests that a chain reaction could follow the construction of a large-scale luxury rental project like The Dale, which could have a positive effect on this shortage. “Several studies show that the more new housing we build, regardless of price category, the more it frees up units further down the chain, such as affordable housing. […] A building like this will help relieve the pressure on the renovation of old buildings to convert them into luxury housing.”
He adds that there are many nearby amenities close to The Dale, allowing tenants to save money elsewhere.
“Because our building is near a major transit network, our parking ratio is below 1%. So many units don’t have parking, and people don’t own cars. For some people, owning a car can represent up to 26% of their expenses. Since we don’t offer parking for them, it’s a cost savings for us, and we can reduce their rent by $300,” he explained, adding that several services, such as internet and appliances, are included in the rent.
Source : https://www.ledroit.com/2021/11/05/brigil-inaugure-the-dale-2ac0884c39764f8ab23c8014329ec87d/
