
Ottawa · Old Ottawa South
Old Ottawa South Real Estate
Old Ottawa South — OOS to locals — is the leafy heritage neighbourhood between the Rideau Canal and the Rideau River, anchored by Bank Street's Mayfair Theatre, Carleton University, and Brewer Park.
It's one of the city's most consistently in-demand family neighbourhoods, with a mix of restored Edwardian homes, infill duplexes, and walkable canal-side living.
Community overview
OOS was developed primarily between 1900 and 1940, giving it a tight grid of Edwardian and early-20th-century homes on narrower lots than Alta Vista or the Glebe. The community is bounded by the Canal, the river, Bronson, and Lansdowne.

Schools in Old Ottawa South
Hopewell Avenue PS and Mutchmor PS (in the Glebe but in catchment for parts of OOS) are the headline elementary options, with Glebe CI and Lisgar CI popular for high school. French immersion is widely available.
Transportation & commute
Bank Street, Bronson, and Riverside connect OOS to downtown in 10 minutes by car outside peak. Carleton University is at the south edge and is on the Trillium Line (O-Train), and walking or biking to downtown along the Canal is a daily reality for many residents.

Parks & recreation
Brewer Park, Windsor Park, Brighton Beach, the Rideau Canal pathways, and Hog's Back Falls are all walking distance. OOS is one of the greenest central Ottawa neighbourhoods.
Shopping & amenities
Bank Street south of Lansdowne is the main street — independent restaurants, the Mayfair Theatre, cafés, and daily-life retail. Lansdowne Park (Whole Foods, restaurants, Sens/Redblacks/67's games) is at the north edge.

Lifestyle
Family-walkable. Cycling on the Canal, skating in winter, summer afternoons at Brewer Pool, and a tight-knit community newspaper (The OSCAR) define daily life. Many families stay in OOS through multiple housing upgrades.
Real estate market
Strong, consistent demand and tight inventory. Heritage detached homes are the headline product; infill duplexes and a small number of low-rise condos round out supply. Renovation quality varies; inspections matter.
Average home prices
Heritage detached homes in OOS generally trade between $1.1M and $2M, with fully renovated homes on prime Canal-adjacent streets clearing higher. Semi-detached and infill duplexes start in the high $700,000s.
Who should live in Old Ottawa South
Public servants, university faculty, professionals, and families who want walkable central living with a strong school and community feel.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
- What is the average home price in Old Ottawa South?
- Heritage detached homes typically trade between $1.1M and $2M, with fully renovated homes on Canal-adjacent streets clearing higher. Semi-detached homes and infill duplexes start in the high $700,000s.
- How does OOS compare to the Glebe?
- OOS is slightly more affordable than the Glebe, with a more residential feel and less commercial frontage. The Glebe has the bigger main-street scene and Lansdowne; OOS has the Canal, Brewer Park, and a quieter family vibe. Many buyers consider both.
- Is OOS good for cyclists?
- Excellent — the Rideau Canal pathway runs along the entire western edge, connecting downtown to Hog's Back. Many OOS residents commute downtown by bike year-round.
- Which schools serve Old Ottawa South?
- Hopewell Avenue PS is the main neighbourhood elementary, with Mutchmor PS in catchment for parts of the area. Glebe CI and Lisgar CI are popular high school destinations. French immersion is widely available.
- Is parking a problem in OOS?
- Some heritage streets have narrow lots with tandem or single-pad parking, and permit street parking is the norm on side streets. Confirm parking arrangements before you write — it's the most common surprise.
Official Ottawa & Canadian resources
Verify the numbers yourself
Primary sources I rely on for current Ottawa real estate data, government incentives and consumer protection.
Tour Old Ottawa South with an experienced Ottawa realtor.
Get live comparables, school catchment maps, and the new-build pipeline for Old Ottawa South.
Ottawa in focus
A city worth calling home


