By Jason Polonski, REALTOR® with Right at Home Realty · Last updated: October 2026
Old Barrhaven is the original core of Barrhaven, the streets built from 1968 through the 1980s in pockets such as Knollsbrook, Pheasant Run and Cedargrove. It offers mature trees, larger lots and bungalows, split-levels and two-storey homes that are usually Barrhaven’s most affordable way into a detached house. It suits value-focused buyers, downsizers and renovators who would rather update an older home on a good lot than pay for new construction. For the wider community, see the Barrhaven neighbourhood guide.
Where Barrhaven Began
Barrhaven exists because of a change of plan. In the 1960s, developer Mel Barr bought a 200-acre farm in what was then Nepean Township, intending to build a horse-racing track. He built houses instead, and the first subdivision, named after him, opened in 1968. Barrhaven Public School followed in 1968–69 as the community’s first school.
Through the 1970s and 1980s, new subdivisions spread out from that first neighbourhood. Minto built the original Barrhaven and Cedargrove areas, and other builders added Pheasant Run, Knollsbrook (locally known as “the Triangle”) and the streets around Jockvale. Together these make up what Ottawans call Old Barrhaven, the established northern and central part of the suburb, well before Longfields, Chapman Mills and the south end were built. Neighbouring pockets such as Heritage Park and Barrhaven on the Green are usually treated as their own neighbourhoods, but buyers looking for an established home often consider them alongside Old Barrhaven.
Today Old Barrhaven straddles both city wards: the original core and Jockvale are in Barrhaven West (Ward 3), and Knollsbrook is in Barrhaven East (Ward 24). On MLS®, these streets fall mainly under OREB communities 7701 Pheasant Run, 7702 Knollsbrook and 7703 Cedargrove/Fraserdale. The listings below also include 7704 Heritage Park and 7705 On the Green for buyers comparing nearby established pockets.
What Is It Like to Live in Old Barrhaven?
Old Barrhaven looks and feels different from the rest of the suburb. Trees planted 40 to 55 years ago now shade the streets, lots are generally wider and deeper, and houses vary in style from block to block. Many owners have lived here for decades, and the area has a settled, neighbourly character.
It is also central. The Walter Baker Sports Centre on Malvern Drive, which opened in 1980 with two NHL-size rinks, a pool complex, squash courts and the Ruth E. Dickinson branch of the Ottawa Public Library, sits at the heart of the older part of Barrhaven. Barrhaven Town Centre, Strandherd Crossing and the Southwest Transitway are all close.
The Jock River runs along the southern edge of the older streets, with pathways and green space along parts of its banks. Homes close to the river should be checked against the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority‘s flood-plain mapping.
Homes in Old Barrhaven
| Home type | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Bungalows | Single-storey homes, popular with downsizers; many with full basements |
| Split-levels and back-splits | Classic 1970s designs with multiple short flights of stairs |
| Two-storey detached | Family homes with three or four bedrooms on wider lots |
| Semi-detached and townhomes | Older attached homes; among Barrhaven’s lowest-priced freeholds |
Old Barrhaven’s appeal is land and value. For the price of a newer townhome in the south end, buyers can often find a detached home on a bigger lot here, with the trade-off that it may need updating. Renovated homes on good streets compete well with newer Barrhaven homes; original-condition homes are priced for the work ahead.
Bungalows are in steady demand from downsizers who want one-floor living without leaving Barrhaven. Jason’s guides to downsizing in Ottawa and the best Ottawa neighbourhoods for downsizing cover that move.
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What to Check Before Buying an Older Barrhaven Home
This is where Jason’s background matters most. Before real estate, he trained in construction and electricity and worked in the trades, and Old Barrhaven homes from the late 1960s to the 1980s have a known set of issues that affect price, insurance and renovation budgets.
- Electrical panels and wiring. Some homes built in the late 1960s and 1970s have aluminum branch wiring, which insurers often ask about and which needs proper connectors to be safe. Older 60- or 100-amp services may limit renovations, EV chargers and heat pumps. Jason’s guide to homes with aluminum wiring explains the options, and the Electrical Safety Authority covers permits for upgrades.
- Asbestos-containing materials. Homes built before the 1990s may contain asbestos in textured ceilings, old flooring, pipe wrap or vermiculite insulation. Health Canada advises leaving it undisturbed or having it removed by professionals.
- Windows, roof and insulation. Original windows and minimal attic insulation drive up heating costs. Ask for 12 months of utility bills.
- Foundation and drainage. Look for cracks, efflorescence, old window wells and grading that slopes toward the house.
- Plumbing. Check the main water line, the type of supply piping and the sewer line, which a camera inspection can assess.
- Radon. Radon is present across the Ottawa area. Health Canada recommends testing every home.
None of these is a reason to walk away. They are reasons to price the work correctly. A professional home inspection is essential, and Jason’s guide to buying an older home in Ottawa walks through the process. Sellers can prepare with the guide to selling an older home.
Renovating in Old Barrhaven
Many Old Barrhaven buyers plan to renovate, and the lots here give room to do it: larger kitchens, basement suites, additions and garage conversions are all common. Before buying with a renovation in mind:
- Check what the City allows. Additions, structural changes, new basement units and many electrical and plumbing upgrades need a City of Ottawa building permit, and zoning rules set limits on additions and additional dwelling units.
- Price the work before you offer. Get rough quotes during the conditional period if the renovation is central to the purchase.
- Look for previous unpermitted work. Older homes often carry decades of owner renovations; unpermitted basements and electrical work are the most common problems.
- Think about resale. Kitchens, bathrooms and energy upgrades tend to hold value better than highly personal finishes.
Jason’s construction and electrical background lets him give buyers a realistic sense of scope on a showing. A contractor’s quote is still the real number.
Schools in Old Barrhaven
Old Barrhaven is close to some of the community’s longest-established schools. Barrhaven Public School, the first in the community, is an Ottawa-Carleton District School Board school, and John McCrae Secondary School (OCDSB, opened 1999), Mother Teresa High School and St. Joseph High School (both Ottawa Catholic School Board) serve Barrhaven’s secondary students. French-language options are available through the two French-language boards.
Catchments depend on the exact address and program, so confirm with the OCDSB school locator or Ontario’s Find a school tool. The full list is in Barrhaven schools.
Commute and Getting Around
Old Barrhaven is one of the best-connected parts of the suburb. Woodroffe Avenue, Greenbank Road and Fallowfield Road lead north toward the Greenbelt and the rest of Nepean, and Highway 416 is a few minutes west. Off-peak, downtown Ottawa is roughly 20 to 25 minutes by car.
OC Transpo’s Southwest Transitway runs through central Barrhaven with stations at Barrhaven Centre, Strandherd and Longfields, and VIA Rail’s Fallowfield station is on Barrhaven’s north side for trips to Toronto and Montreal. Plan a route with the OC Transpo travel planner.
Who Old Barrhaven Suits
- Value-focused buyers who want a detached home and a real yard for less than newer Barrhaven areas
- Downsizers looking for bungalows in a familiar, central location
- Renovators and buyers with a trades eye who want to add value through updates
- Families who want mature trees and quieter, established streets near schools and recreation
It is a weaker fit for buyers who want a move-in-ready, modern home with no projects. They will usually prefer Chapman Mills, Stonebridge or Half Moon Bay.
The Old Barrhaven Market
Old Barrhaven is a condition-driven market. Two homes on the same street, built the same year, can sell far apart depending on whether the roof, windows, electrical, furnace and kitchen have been updated. City-wide, OREB’s September 2026 single-family benchmark was $705,100, essentially flat year over year, with 4.4 months of inventory in the Ottawa Suburb South submarket (OREB). Older Barrhaven homes that need work typically sit below newer Barrhaven detached homes, which is exactly the opportunity for buyers prepared to update.
For sellers, knowing which updates add value and which just add cost is the key decision; Jason’s guide to the best return on renovations helps. For a value on a specific home, see the Barrhaven home value guide or the Barrhaven real estate market page.
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See Homes for Sale in Old Barrhaven
1022 Chapman Mills Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
3 Bedroom
2 Bathroom
1,200 - 1,399 sqft
Royal LePage Team Realty
96 Pheasant Run Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
3 Bedroom
4 Bathroom
1,500 - 2,000 sqft
RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Group
209 Sherway Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
3 Bedroom
2 Bathroom
1,100 - 1,500 sqft
Royal LePage Integrity Realty
620 Barry Helman Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
3 Bedroom
3 Bathroom
2,000 - 2,500 sqft
RE/MAX Boardwalk Realty
174 Namaste Walk
Ottawa, Ontario
3 Bedroom
4 Bathroom
1,100 - 1,500 sqft
Royal LePage Integrity Realty
210 Broxburn Crescent
Ottawa, Ontario
3 Bedroom
4 Bathroom
2,000 - 2,500 sqft
RE/MAX Boardwalk Realty
All Barrhaven listings are on Barrhaven homes for sale. Budget for Ontario’s land transfer tax and any renovation plans before you offer. A renovation budget may affect your mortgage, which the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada explains.
Work With a Barrhaven REALTOR® Who Knows Older Homes
Jason Polonski is a full-time REALTOR® with Right at Home Realty with more than 15 years of experience across Ottawa’s west and south ends. He has been named a Best in Ottawa Top REALTOR® seven years running and a 2025 Chairman’s Club award winner. He lists homes for a 1% listing commission and offers buyers up to $3,000 cash back at closing on qualifying purchases.
In Old Barrhaven, his trades background is the difference-maker. He reads an older home’s electrical panel, wiring, foundation and mechanicals during the showing, so buyers know what they are negotiating for, and sellers know which repairs will actually move the price. His Bachelor of Commerce from Concordia University, with a double major in Marketing and Finance, keeps the numbers clear. For downsizers and move-up buyers selling one home and buying another, he sets the timing first; his guide to buying and selling at the same time explains how. Call or text Jason seven days a week at (613) 601-9333, or visit his Barrhaven REALTOR® page and Google reviews.
Explore More of Barrhaven
Longfields and Davidson Heights · Chapman Mills · Stonebridge · Half Moon Bay · Nepean vs Barrhaven · Cost of living in Barrhaven
Old Barrhaven FAQs
Old Barrhaven is the original part of Barrhaven, built from 1968 through the 1980s, including Knollsbrook, Pheasant Run and Cedargrove. It has mature trees, larger lots and older detached and attached homes.
Developer Mel Barr. He bought a 200-acre farm intending to build a horse-racing track, then developed it for housing instead, and the first homes opened in 1968.
Generally, yes for detached homes. Older homes in Old Barrhaven are often the most affordable way into a detached house in Barrhaven, though many need updates that buyers should budget for.
Some homes built in the late 1960s and 1970s do. It is not automatically unsafe, but insurers often ask about it, and it should be assessed by a licensed electrician.
Yes. Its bungalows offer one-floor living in a central location near recreation, shopping and transit.
Check the electrical panel and wiring type, possible asbestos-containing materials, windows, roof, insulation, foundation drainage and radon levels, and always get a professional home inspection.
