Contractors in Lowertown

Lowertown is one of Ottawa's oldest neighbourhoods, established when Colonel John By laid out Bytown as Upper and Lower Town in 1827. Bounded by Rideau Street, the Ottawa River, and the Rideau River, Lowertown contains two designated Heritage Conservation Districts and has a rich history as a working-class immigrant neighbourhood that evolved into a diverse urban community.

About Lowertown

Lowertown's history begins in 1827 when Colonel John By established Bytown, dividing it into Upper and Lower Town. Land grants following the 1843 Vesting Act enabled development, accelerated by the railway and Ottawa becoming capital of the Province of Canada in 1857.

For much of its history, Lowertown was home to working-class French Catholic, Irish Catholic, Jewish, and Italian populations. Many French settlers were timber workers, while Irish immigrants helped build the Rideau Canal. The neighbourhood transformed significantly between 1900-1910 as the Civil Service tripled its employees.

Today, Lowertown features two Heritage Conservation Districts: ByWard Market (designated 1991) and Lowertown West (designated 1994). Updated Heritage Conservation District Plans were adopted in October 2024. The neighbourhood's diverse population is reflected in businesses along Rideau Street representing African, Asian, South Asian, Caribbean, and Lebanese communities.

Location & Boundaries

Lowertown is bounded by Rideau Street to the south, the Ottawa River to the west and north, and the Rideau River to the east. The neighbourhood is divided into Lowertown East (east of King Edward Avenue), Lowertown West (west of King Edward), and the adjacent ByWard Market.

Neighboring Areas:
ByWard MarketSandy HillVanierNew EdinburghCentretown

Common Projects in Lowertown

  • Heritage building restoration
  • Rowhouse renovation
  • Kitchen and bathroom renovations
  • Foundation repairs
  • Energy efficiency upgrades in heritage buildings
  • Roof replacement
  • Interior modernization
  • Basement waterproofing

Local Considerations

✓ Two Heritage Conservation Districts with strict requirements
✓ Many buildings date to 1820s-1900s era
✓ Mixed residential and commercial zoning
✓ Dense urban fabric requires careful logistics
✓ Some buildings have heritage designation
✓ Heritage permits required for exterior changes in HCDs
Permits: Standard building permits apply. Properties in Lowertown West and ByWard Market Heritage Conservation Districts require heritage permits for exterior alterations. Heritage-sensitive materials and methods required.

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