Westgate Centre redevelopment [1309 Carling Ave] | 3x86m, 2x120m | 3x24f, 2x36f | U/C

[Williamoforange]

Originally Posted by zzptichka

Clearly Leiper's fault.

Leiper actively hurt and opposed the building of thousands of units all while not solely his fault, he is not blameless.

Also, funny that the two of the more vocal nimbys are here again making fun of what is a bad situation.

Or did you fools forget that Leiper is the heat of planning during a time in which the city had increased Dev fees astronomically, to such an extent that we put ourselves possibly out of having the feds give funding for housing.

Also, zzpticha are you not employed as a planner for the city of Ottawa, a body that has outright admitted to undermining Ottawa already tepid official plan.

[Ottawacurious]

Signage indicates that “Westgate Shopping Centre will be closing at the end of October 2025.”

Mall is to come down shortly after. A new grocery store will go up besides shoppers. No eta on the new high rises.

https://webcast.ottawa.ca/plan/All_Image...mation%20Report%20-%20D07-12-25-0064.PDF

[rocketphish]

Patrons and shop owners of 70-year-old Westgate Shopping Centre mourn its closure
'It's more than just a place to buy things,' store owner says

CBC News
Posted: Oct 30, 2025 4:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: 5 hours ago

Westgate Shopping Centre isn't just where Brendon Banville has operated a camera and passport photo store for nearly four decades.

The owner of Superior Photo also met his wife at the mall, back when she worked at another tenant called Toy City.

"It's more than just a place to buy things," Banville said of the 70-year-old Ottawa institution.

People would come for a coffee or to sit all morning and talk to shop owners and others, he recalled.

"Yeah, it was a great place."

Banville speaks of the mall in the past tense because the Carling Avenue shopping centre's story is coming to a close.

Retail leasing giant RioCan said it will close the shopping centre "at the end of October" as part of a planned site revamp.

The mall will be demolished except for the section containing Shoppers Drug Mart, which will remain open beyond October and "continue to be part of the long-term vision for the site."

Construction on a new grocery store is expected to begin in the first half of 2026.

"We are grateful to all our tenants for their long-standing support and presence at Westgate," a spokesperson added via email.

<more>

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/westgate-shopping-centre-closure-9.6956832

[AuxTown]

End of an era. Took a little stroll through Westgate after work today...

[rocketphish]

Goodbye to Westgate Shopping Centre: A look at the mall’s historic past

Charlie Senack, OBJ
October 30, 2025



For generations of west-end Ottawa residents, Westgate Shopping Centre was more than just a strip of retail. It was where you bought your first records, bumped into neighbours on Saturday mornings or ate lunch at the Clark’s Dairy Bar.

Built in just 11 months and opening with fanfare on May 19, 1955, it was Ottawa’s first shopping mall, boasting wide walkways, modern storefronts and ample space for more than 1,000 cars — a symbol of post-war progress and suburban growth. There were even “smart and stylish” parking attendants wearing suits that resembled Canada’s famous Mounties, with whistles to help direct traffic and park cars.

<more>

https://obj.ca/goodbye-westgate-shopping-centre-malls-historic-past/

[ponyboycurtis]

I always liked those little horizontal "address markers" in the mall.

So does this mean she's gettin' the dozer?

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by ponyboycurtis

I always liked those little horizontal "address markers" in the mall.

So does this mean she's gettin' the dozer?

Yup. News says "soon after closure". They'll then build a grocery store. I don't expect anything else for many years.

[J.OT13]

• Video Link

[urbanforest]

Demolition has begun. This photo was from May 18, from a friend:

[J.OT13]

Sad to see. Makes it worse that it won't be replaced by new density for many years still.

[OTSkyline]

So what's the plan? None of the previous towers proposed are moving forward anytime soon?

That would be a shame.. when 5-6 have sprung up across the street (can't blame demand).

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by OTSkyline

So what's the plan? None of the previous towers proposed are moving forward anytime soon?

That would be a shame.. when 5-6 have sprung up across the street (can't blame demand).

The plan is for a grocery store and new parking. They still want to build towers at some point, but the next phase is likely years away.

Originally Posted by AuxTown

Wow, looks like they went all out on this one . Nice bike lane I guess?

from devapps:





Looks like the spot for the future tower will be "greenspace" for now. The site plan says "slope to drain, hydroseed"

I appreciate the sidewalks and bike lanes. I wish the Gloucester Centre would do this to better connect to Blair Station.

[AuxTown]

One last look before the final bit of the mall is gone:


Full Size

It has been really interesting watching the demolition progress over the past few weeks, amazing how quickly they can go with just a few machines!

Does anyone know what that brick/concrete box is remaining? Is that the old RBC bank vault?

[RideauRat]

still think it's a bit of a shame that residential isn't immediately being put up.

[CastlesintheSky]

Originally Posted by RideauRat

still think it's a bit of a shame that residential isn't immediately being put up.

Agreed.
It isn't like we are in a housing crisis or anything /s