OTTAWA NEIGHBOURHOODS
Neighbourhoods Near the New Civic Hospital Campus in Ottawa
By Jason Polonski, REALTOR® with Right at Home Realty · Last updated: October 2026
The Ottawa Hospital’s new Civic campus is one of the largest construction projects in the city’s history. It’s being built on about 50 acres near Dow’s Lake, bounded by Carling Avenue, Preston Street and Prince of Wales Drive, across from the current Civic campus. For hospital staff, students and anyone who wants to live close to major health care, it puts several of Ottawa’s most established neighbourhoods in the spotlight.
This guide covers the neighbourhoods near the new campus, what living in each is like and what buyers should think about while construction continues. For the latest on the project, see The Ottawa Hospital.
The New Civic Campus at a Glance
- Location: near Dow’s Lake, between Carling Avenue, Preston Street and Prince of Wales Drive
- Size: about 50 acres
- Timeline: site work and early buildings, including a parking garage, come first. The main hospital is expected to be finished toward the end of the decade. Check the hospital’s project updates for current dates
- Transit: the Trillium Line (O-Train Line 2) runs beside the site, and Carling Avenue is a major bus corridor. See OC Transpo for routes
Large projects like this often take longer than first planned. Treat any opening date as an estimate.
Neighbourhoods Near the New Campus
Civic Hospital Neighbourhood
The streets around the current Civic campus, north of Carling Avenue, are known for detached and semi-detached homes from the early to mid-20th century on tree-lined streets. Many residents already work in health care. It’s a short walk or bike ride to the new site.
Dow’s Lake and Little Italy
Closest to the new campus. Preston Street’s restaurants, older homes and a growing number of condos make this the most urban option. Walk to work, the Rideau Canal and the Trillium Line.
The Glebe
Across the canal to the east, the Glebe offers older homes, Bank Street shops and Lansdowne. Prices are among the higher ones in central Ottawa.
Hintonburg and Wellington Village
To the north and west, Hintonburg and Wellington Village combine older homes, infill and condos with busy main streets.
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Carlington and Central Park
South of Carling Avenue and west of the Experimental Farm, Carlington has postwar homes and a lower entry point than the Glebe or Civic Hospital area, with a short drive or bus ride to the campus.
Glabar Park and McKellar Park
Further west along Carling Avenue, Glabar Park and McKellar Park offer larger lots and family homes, with an easy commute east along Carling.
Alta Vista
For staff who split time with the General campus, Alta Vista sits beside The Ottawa Hospital’s General campus and CHEO, with a reasonable drive or transit trip to Dow’s Lake.
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Comparing the Options
| Area | Housing | Getting to the new campus |
|---|---|---|
| Dow’s Lake / Little Italy | Condos, older homes, some infill | Walk |
| Civic Hospital neighbourhood | Detached and semi-detached homes | Walk or bike |
| The Glebe | Older detached and semi-detached homes | Bike or short drive |
| Hintonburg / Wellington Village | Older homes, infill, condos | Bike, bus or short drive |
| Carlington | Postwar homes, townhomes, apartments | Bus or short drive |
| Glabar Park / McKellar Park | Detached family homes | Drive or bus along Carling |
| Alta Vista | Detached homes, townhomes, condos | Drive or transit |
Getting Around Without a Car
Much of the area around the new campus is built for walking and cycling. The canal pathways, the Experimental Farm and Preston Street link many of the nearby neighbourhoods, and the Trillium Line connects north to the Confederation Line at Bayview and south toward Carleton University and the airport. For staff working shifts, check service hours on the routes you would rely on, since late-night and early-morning service is more limited than daytime service.
Housing Types Near the Campus
- Older detached and semi-detached homes: common in the Civic Hospital neighbourhood, the Glebe and Hintonburg. Expect character, smaller lots and the usual older-home questions about wiring, plumbing and foundations
- Infill homes: newer semis and narrow detached homes on streets where older houses have been replaced, often with modern layouts and garages
- Condos: growing in number around Dow’s Lake, Preston Street and Carling Avenue. Review the status certificate, fees and reserve fund with your lawyer
- Postwar family homes: in Carlington, Glabar Park and McKellar Park, often on larger lots with room to renovate or add on
Timing a Purchase
Some buyers want to get in before the campus opens; others prefer to wait until construction is finished and the area settles. There’s no right answer, and no one can promise how prices will move. What matters most is buying a home that works for you today, on a street you’d be happy living on during and after construction.
What Buyers Should Think About
Construction
Homes closest to the site will live with construction traffic, noise and road changes for several years. Ask about the City’s planned road work and the hospital’s construction schedule.
Traffic and Parking After Opening
A major hospital brings ambulances, deliveries and visitors. Streets near the main entrances may see more traffic and parking pressure.
Demand From Hospital Staff
A hospital this size employs a large workforce. Homes near the campus may appeal to staff, students and medical residents, which can support rental demand for investors. Demand varies, so look at the specific property and rental rules.
Zoning and Density
Ottawa’s new Zoning By-law 2026-50 and the Official Plan encourage more homes near transit and main streets, so some nearby lots may see redevelopment. Check the Official Plan and active development applications near any home you’re considering.
Buying an Investment Property Near the Campus
Hospital staff, residents and students rent in central Ottawa, and some buyers see the new campus as a reason to invest nearby. Before you buy a rental:
- Check what the zoning allows, including additional dwelling units
- Confirm the legal status of any existing basement or secondary unit
- Run the numbers using realistic rents and vacancy. CMHC publishes Ottawa rental market data
- Understand Ontario’s tenancy rules through the Landlord and Tenant Board, especially if the home comes with tenants
- Budget for Ontario’s land transfer tax and closing costs
Living Near a Hospital: Practical Points
Living close to a major hospital has clear benefits: a short commute for staff and quick access to care for families and older buyers. There are trade-offs too. Sirens and helicopter traffic can be noticeable on nearby streets, and visitor parking can spill into residential areas. When you view a home near the campus, visit at different times of day, and check the City’s on-street parking rules for the block.
The Experimental Farm and Green Space
One of the area’s biggest draws is green space. The Central Experimental Farm, the Arboretum, Dow’s Lake and the canal pathways sit right beside the campus. For many buyers, being able to walk or cycle through the Farm to work is a real lifestyle advantage.
Who These Neighbourhoods Suit
- Health care workers who want a short commute
- Buyers who want urban amenities near the canal and the Experimental Farm
- Investors looking at rentals near a major employer
- Downsizers who want to live close to medical care
Related Guides
- Living near the O-Train west extension
- Buying a heritage home in Ottawa, useful for older homes in the Glebe and nearby
- Living in Ottawa
- Healthcare in Ottawa: hospitals and family doctors
Find a Home Near the New Civic With Jason
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 means he can help you judge an older central Ottawa home’s wiring, foundation and renovation potential before you commit. He also holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Concordia University with a double major in Marketing and Finance, which guides how he prices and markets every home he lists.
If you are thinking about buying or selling in central Ottawa, call or text Jason at (613) 601-9333, or send him a message.
See also: our Ottawa neighbourhoods guide.
New Civic Hospital FAQs
On about 50 acres near Dow’s Lake, bounded by Carling Avenue, Preston Street and Prince of Wales Drive, across from the current Civic campus.
The main hospital is expected to be completed toward the end of the decade. Check The Ottawa Hospital’s project updates for current dates.
Dow’s Lake and Little Italy, the Civic Hospital neighbourhood, the Glebe, Hintonburg, Wellington Village and Carlington are among the closest.
Yes. The Trillium Line (O-Train Line 2) runs beside the site, and Carling Avenue is a major bus route.
A major employer can support housing demand, but values depend on many factors. No one can promise a price increase.
It can be, given demand from staff and students, but check the property’s zoning, rental rules and numbers carefully before you buy.
