West Centretown area Homes for Sale
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About West Centretown
Just west of downtown is West Centretown and its abutting neighbourhoods of Chinatown and Little Italy. Bordered by Bronson Avenue to the west, Hintonburg to the east, Albert Street to the north and Carling Avenue to the south,
This area has become more popular with new condo towers and lots of bars and restaurants opening up in and around Preston Street. Completed in 2019, The Claridge Icon on the corner of Carling Avenue at Preston Street, is Ottawa's tallest condominium tower topping out at 45 storeys.
Other Neighbourhoods in this area:
LeBreton Flats
Is the area of land right on the river across from Gatineau. According to the Canada Green Building Council, the redevelopment of a sustainable community, called "Zibi" will be Canada's largest zero-carbon development. Dream LeBreton (built by Windmill Development and Dream Unlimited Corp) has won the contract to build on the LeBreton Flats library parcel, just west of downtown.
There will be 601 new rental housing units featuring accessibility and affordability. The vision is one of pedestrian and cyclist-friendly grounds, with active parks, plazas, retail and access to two O-Train stations. Pending final federal and municipal approvals, Dream LeBreton building permits are expected at the end of 2023 with occupancy by early 2026.
Chinatown
Located along Somerset Street, west of Ottawa's downtown, it runs east to west from Bay Street to Preston Street.
After the First World War, Chinese immigrants set up their businesses along Somerset Street West and as time went on the neighbourhood has developed an official identity, and designated the Chinatown BIA. The beautiful and colourful Royal Arch was unveiled in 2010 to mark the impressive gateway to Chinatown at Somerset Street West near Bronson Avenue. $20,000 in repairs were done in 2017 to restore the arch to its original beauty.
For classic Chinese cuisine, residents can enjoy the traditional Yangtze Dining Lounge or Shanghai Restaurant open for 40 years with Asian dishes and drag queen karaoke on Saturday nights.
Little Italy
At the centre of the community is St. Anthony of Padua Church, along Preston Street, or as the locals would say "Corso Italia". As anyone would expect, you'll find a rich Italian heritage, however Indian, Greek, Asian and other ethnicities are nicely represented in the vast array of restaurants and eateries.
Notable stops
- Absolute Comedy
- Atelier
- Bridgehead Roastery and Coffeehouse
- Buchipop
- Casa Nicastro
- Evoo Greek Kitchen
- Gelatini
- Giovanni's
- The Gladstone (Theatre)
- Kiko Sushi
- La Dolce Vita
- La Roma
- Marcello's Market
- Morning Owl
- Preston Hardware
- Pub Italia
- Sala San Marco
- St. Anthony's Banquet Hall
- The Foolish Chicken
- The Moonroom
- The Prescott
Italian Week, celebrated every June since 1975, is an important tradition for local Italians and visitors alike. It includes a vintage car parade, live music and a cycling race.
Continuing south of Preston, across Carling Avenue is Dow's Lake, with rentable boats, scenic parkland and restaurants to enjoy. This is a man-made lake on the world heritage Rideau Canal, 2 km north of Hog's Back Falls, right in the middle of Ottawa.
