WESTBORO REAL ESTATE
Glabar Park, Ottawa: Mid-Century Homes Between Carling and the Queensway
By Jason Polonski, REALTOR® with Right at Home Realty · Last updated: October 2026
Glabar Park, Ottawa is a quiet mid-century neighbourhood in the west end, tucked between Carling Avenue and the Queensway, just south of Carlingwood. Built mostly in the 1950s, it is known for detached homes on generous lots, mature trees, strong community parks and a growing number of custom rebuilds.
Glabar Park does not get the attention of Westboro or McKellar Park, but it shares much of their convenience: Carlingwood Shopping Centre is across the street, the river and Westboro Village are a short drive or bike ride north, and new O-Train stations are coming nearby. For buyers who want a detached house with a real yard in the inner west end, it is well worth a look. This guide explains where Glabar Park is, what the homes are like, what to inspect, and who it suits. For more west-end options, see the Westboro neighbourhoods guide.
Where Is Glabar Park?
Glabar Park is in Bay Ward. It is bounded by Carling Avenue to the north, Woodroffe Avenue to the west, the Queensway to the south and Maitland Avenue to the east. It covers a little over one square kilometre and had roughly 2,800 residents at the 2016 census. The neighbourhood is represented by the Glabar Park Community Alliance.
Glabar Park and McKellar Heights
McKellar Heights, a smaller neighbourhood of similar age, sits directly to the east of Maitland Avenue. In MLS® listings, the two are grouped together under the Ottawa Real Estate Board’s “McKellar Heights/Glabar Park” area, so listing searches often mix both. Neither should be confused with McKellar Park, which is north of Carling Avenue near Westboro.
A 1950s Neighbourhood
Most of Glabar Park was built in the 1950s, soon after the City of Ottawa annexed the area from Nepean Township in 1950. The first homes went up that year around Hare Avenue, surrounding the park that gives the neighbourhood its name, built by the F.J. Shouldice Construction Company. Teron Construction developed later sections. Townhouses were added on Esterlawn Private, behind Fairlawn Centre, in 1985, and in 2012 a few houses on Carling Avenue were replaced with low-rise apartments. More recently, original homes on streets such as Lenester Avenue have been taken down and replaced with new custom houses.
Glabar Park Homes
- Original 1950s bungalows and two-storey homes. The core of the neighbourhood, typically on wider and deeper lots than you find in newer suburbs.
- Renovated and expanded homes. Many originals have had additions, second storeys or full interior renovations.
- Custom rebuilds. Large new homes on original lots, which now set the top end of the local market.
- Townhouses and low-rise apartments. A smaller share of the housing, mostly near Carling Avenue and Fairlawn Centre.
Lot size is a big part of Glabar Park’s value. On original homes, much of the price can be in the land, which is why the area attracts both families and builders. Pricing well depends on comparing similar lots and similar houses, not just the neighbourhood as a whole. Jason uses recent sales street by street, and his guide to infill homes covers the rebuild process.
What Jason Checks in a Glabar Park Home
Jason spent years in the construction and electrical trades before becoming a REALTOR®. On a house from the 1950s, he looks closely at:
- Electrical capacity. Older 60-amp services and original panels may need upgrading for modern loads such as heat pumps or EV chargers. Work must follow Electrical Safety Authority rules.
- Plumbing and the sewer lateral. Galvanized supply lines and older laterals are common, and mature trees increase the risk of root intrusion. A camera inspection is worth it.
- Asbestos-era materials. Vermiculite insulation, older flooring and pipe wrap can contain asbestos, so plan for testing before any renovation.
- Foundations and basements. Cracks, moisture and the condition of the weeping tile matter if you plan to finish or lower the basement.
- Additions. How an addition ties into the original structure, and whether it was permitted, affects value and future insurance.
Jason’s guide to buying an older home in Nepean goes deeper on homes from this era.
Buying to Renovate or Rebuild
If you are buying with a rebuild in mind, check zoning, City tree protection rules and servicing requirements before you firm up. These can affect the size of home you can build and your total budget.
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Living in Glabar Park
Parks
Glabar Park, the green space on Hare Avenue, has sports fields, a playground, a wading pool and a designated off-leash area for dogs. Kingsmere Park, the largest park in the area, adds another wading pool in summer and a skating rink in winter. Families also use the pathways and parks of the Central Experimental Farm and Carlington to the southeast.
Shopping and Everyday Needs
Carlingwood Shopping Centre, directly across Carling Avenue, covers groceries, pharmacy, banking and everyday retail, and houses the Carlingwood branch of the Ottawa Public Library. Fairlawn Centre and the stores along Carling and Woodroffe add more options, and Westboro Village is a few minutes north for restaurants and specialty shops.
The River and Recreation
The Ottawa River and the NCC riverside pathway are a short bike ride north through Carlingwood or McKellar Park. The Dovercourt Recreation Centre nearby offers swimming, fitness classes and programs for all ages.
Get Cash Back When You Buy a Home in Ottawa
Can you get cash back when buying a home in Ottawa? Yes. Jason Polonski, a Chairman's Club REALTOR® serving Ottawa and Kanata, shares part of his commission with buyers — up to $3,000 cash back at closing.* You still get full-service, award-winning representation: expert pricing, sharp negotiation, and hands-on guidance from first showing to keys in hand. No cut corners and no rebate-only shortcuts — just real money back in your pocket when you buy your Ottawa or Kanata home.
Schools Near Glabar Park
School catchments vary by street, so always confirm an address with the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board or the Ottawa Catholic School Board before you buy.
- Public elementary options in the area include Woodroffe Avenue Public School and Broadview Public School, north of Carling.
- Our Lady of Fatima is a nearby Catholic elementary school.
- Notre Dame High School and Nepean High School, both on Broadview Avenue, are the closest secondary schools.
Broadview Public School and Nepean High School are covered in more detail in the Westboro schools guide.
Getting Around: Transit and Commute
- Driving. The Queensway forms the southern edge of the neighbourhood, so highway access is quick in both directions, and downtown is a short drive east.
- Bus. Routes run along Carling Avenue, Woodroffe Avenue and Maitland Avenue.
- O-Train. The Stage 2 west extension adds New Orchard station and a rebuilt Lincoln Fields station a short distance north and west, with the City targeting 2027, though July 2026 flood damage at several west-end stations could delay or stage the opening. Check the latest timeline with OC Transpo.
- Nearby employers. Glabar Park is well placed for Tunney’s Pasture, the Civic hospital, Algonquin College and downtown.
Glabar Park Compared With Nearby Areas
| Neighbourhood | Location | Typical housing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glabar Park | South of Carling, west of Maitland | 1950s homes on generous lots, rebuilds | Families wanting yard space |
| McKellar Heights | South of Carling, east of Maitland | 1950s homes, smaller pocket | Buyers wanting a quiet street near the Experimental Farm |
| Carlingwood | North of Carling, around the mall | 1950s bungalows and two-storeys | Buyers who want to walk to shopping |
| McKellar Park | North of Carling, near Westboro | Postwar originals and custom rebuilds | Move-up and luxury buyers |
Budgeting Beyond the Purchase Price in Glabar Park
With older homes, the purchase price is only part of the picture. Before you set your budget, Jason suggests looking at four ongoing costs:
- Property taxes. City of Ottawa taxes are based on the assessed value set by MPAC. Ontario assessments are still based on a January 1, 2016 valuation date, so the assessed value can differ widely from today’s market price. Ask for the current tax bill rather than estimating.
- Insurance. Insurers look closely at the age of the roof, wiring, plumbing and heating. Get a quote early, especially if the home has original electrical or an older oil or gas system.
- Utilities. Original windows, limited insulation and older furnaces can mean higher heating bills. Upgrades such as a heat pump may also require more electrical capacity.
- Near-term repairs. Use the inspection to build a five-year plan for big-ticket items such as the roof, windows, furnace and sewer line, and factor it into your offer.
Who Glabar Park Suits
- Families and move-up buyers who want a detached home with a large yard close to central Ottawa.
- Buyers planning a renovation or rebuild who value lot size above finishes.
- Downsizers who want a bungalow near shopping and services.
- Buyers priced out of Westboro who still want to be within easy reach of it.
Buying in Glabar Park
Original homes on good lots attract competition from both families and builders. Have your pre-approval ready, review your borrowing limits with the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada’s mortgage guidance, and budget for Ontario’s land transfer tax. Jason’s buyer cash back offer applies on qualifying purchases.
Selling a Glabar Park Home
If you own an original home, your buyer could be a young family or a builder, and the right marketing depends on which. Jason helps sellers decide where to focus, which repairs are worth doing, and how to price against the right comparables. Start with what your home is worth, and read about his 1% listing commission if you want to keep more of your equity.
See Homes for Sale in Glabar Park and McKellar Heights
1941 Sharon Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario
4 Bedroom
3 Bathroom
2,500 - 3,000 sqft
RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Group
811 Iroquois Road
Ottawa, Ontario
3 Bedroom
2 Bathroom
1,100 - 1,500 sqft
RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Group
2173 Rushton Road
Ottawa, Ontario
3 Bedroom
1 Bathroom
1,100 - 1,500 sqft
RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Group
1864 Lenester Avenue W
Ottawa, Ontario
3 Bedroom
2 Bathroom
1,500 - 2,000 sqft
RE/MAX Boardwalk Realty
2118 Westbourne Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario
3 Bedroom
3 Bathroom
2,500 - 3,000 sqft
Royal LePage Team Realty
2128 Benjamin Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario
6 Bedroom
2 Bathroom
1,500 - 2,000 sqft
Royal LePage Team Realty
The board groups Glabar Park with McKellar Heights, so these listings include both. Before you buy, review mortgage qualification with the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada and budget for Ontario’s land transfer tax.
Explore Nearby Neighbourhoods
- Carlingwood, Woodpark and Whitehaven, directly north across Carling Avenue
- McKellar Park, north of Carling near Westboro
- Westboro, the main street and village to the northeast
To see current listings in the area, browse Westboro homes for sale, or ask Jason to set up a search for Glabar Park and McKellar Heights.
Work With a Glabar Park REALTOR® Who Looks at the Whole House
In a neighbourhood of 1950s homes on valuable lots, the real question is often whether you are buying a house to live in, renovate or replace. Jason Polonski is a REALTOR® with Right at Home Realty and more than 15 years of experience in Ottawa real estate. His background in the construction and electrical trades helps buyers judge the condition of an older home and the cost of bringing it up to date. He also holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Concordia University with a double major in Marketing and Finance, which shapes how he prices and markets homes for his sellers.
To talk about buying or selling in Glabar Park, call or text Jason at (613) 601-9333, or send him a message.
Buying or selling in Westboro? Work with a local Westboro REALTOR®.
Glabar Park FAQs
Glabar Park is in Ottawa’s west end, in Bay Ward. It is bounded by Carling Avenue to the north, Woodroffe Avenue to the west, the Queensway to the south and Maitland Avenue to the east, just south of the Carlingwood Shopping Centre.
No. They are neighbouring areas of similar age, with McKellar Heights east of Maitland Avenue. The Ottawa Real Estate Board groups them together as “McKellar Heights/Glabar Park,” so MLS® searches often show both.
Most homes were built in the 1950s, starting in 1950 around Hare Avenue. There are also 1980s townhouses, newer low-rise apartments on Carling Avenue and a growing number of recent custom rebuilds.
Many families choose it for detached homes with large yards, parks with wading pools and rinks, and nearby schools and shopping. Confirm school catchments with the board for any address you are considering.
Yes. Glabar Park on Hare Avenue has a designated off-leash area. Dogs must stay under control and away from play areas and pools, so check City signage for the current rules.
Many owners have. Before buying a home to replace, check zoning, tree protection rules and servicing requirements with the City of Ottawa, and plan for permit timelines.
