The federal government is making a heritage property that currently houses a Keg Restaurant in Ottawa’s Westboro neighbourhood available for future housing.
Public Services and Procurement Canada announced 12 new properties across Canada have been added to the Canada Public Land Bank, which is federal properties that could be turned into affordable housing.
One of the new locations in Ottawa is 529 Richmond Road, which is the home to The Keg’s Ottawa Manor restaurant.
According to the federal government’s website, the property on Richmond Road is 1.56 acres. The Parks Canada website says the building was built in 1831 to 1834.
“This elegant residence and its walled garden are a rare and well-preserved example of a country estate in early 19th-century Canada,” Parks Canada says. “Built from 1831 to 1834 for William Thomson, a prosperous farmer, its centrepiece is this finely crafted home in the British classical tradition.”
The National Capital Commission owns 529 Richmond Road. The property was designated a historic site in 1989.
“The Ottawa Manor Keg is a free standing Heritage Limestone Building with Public Gardens next door,” the Keg’s website says.
In October, the federal government announced seven properties in Ottawa and two in Gatineau, Que. are available to be turned into new homes. The properties include three near the O-Trian Hurdman Station, 1250 Ledbury Avenue; land called the “Ottawa Southern Corridor,” north of West Hunt Club Road between Woodroffe Avenue and Merivale Road; Baseline Road at Cedarview Road; and 1730 Robertson Road.
The Canada Public Land Bank was launched in August, featuring an initial 56 federal properties identified to support housing, including 22 in Ottawa. The initial properties included:
- Five properties at Tunney’s Pasture at 10 Columbine Dr.; 100 Chardon Dr.; 50 Columbine Dr.; 70 Columbine Dr; and a building at Frederick Banting, Colombine, and Tunney’s Pasture driveways
- The Jackson Building at 122 Bank St.
- L’Esplanade Laurier at 171-181 Bank St.
- 552 Booth St. in The Glebe Annex
- Edward Drake Building (former CBC building) at 1500 Bronson Ave.
- 2670 Riverside Dr. in Hogs Back
- Sir Charles Tupper Building 2720 Riverside Dr.
- 875 Heron Rd. in Alta Vista
- Federal Study Centre at 1495 Heron Road
- National Defence Medical Centre at 1745 Alta Vista Drive
- Five sites at 470 Tremblay Rd. near St. Laurent Shopping Centre
- 599 Tremblay Rd. near St. Laurent Shopping Centre
- Former CFB Rockcliffe site at 370 Codd’s Rd. and 800 Winisik St.
- Former CFB Rockcliffe site at Tawadina Road and Wanaki Road