Nokia Campus [570-600 March Rd] | 11 x 13-29f | Phase 1 U/C

[J.OT13]

Cross-post.

Aiming high: Wesley Clover to build 30-storey mixed-use tower beside Brookstreet Hotel

David Sali, OBJ
September 2, 2022

Kanata North’s bid to transform into a more vibrant mixed-use district took another step forward this week when city council approved Wesley Clover International’s plan to build a 30-storey tower with more than 250 rental apartment units and a restaurant attached to the Brookstreet Hotel.

The investment firm backed by billionaire tech magnate Terry Matthews says it hopes to start construction on the project, which has an estimated price tag of at least $120 million, this fall. The company expects the first tenants to occupy the building in August 2025.

The proposal calls for 253 units in a mix of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, Brookstreet Hotel general manager Nyle Kelly told OBJ this week.

The first four floors will be earmarked for furnished executive-style apartments aimed at guests who are in the technology park on business for extended stays, Kelly said.

The upper units will be targeted at groups such as retirees looking for a “turnkey, full-service luxury-style apartment” with a la carte service from the hotel as well as tech workers who want to live close to the office, he explained.

“We’ve kind of shaped it so that we can appeal to a really wide market,” Kelly said.

'Hotel feel' in residential environment

Units will range from about 550 to 2,000 square feet at a projected rent of between $3 and $3.50 a square foot. Kelly said the highrise, which is being designed by Neuf architects and built by Ottawa’s Ron Eastern Construction Ltd., will have a “hotel feel, but in a residential environment.”

Among its list of five-star features will be a rooftop pool and a 150-seat restaurant on the 28th floor that will include meeting and banquet space.

“The views are going to be spectacular,” Kelly said of the dining facility’s panoramic vistas of the Gatineau Hills to the north and the Marshes Golf Club next door.

Other luxury touches include a fitness facility with a golf simulator and a pet washing station. The main floor will also be home to 2,000 square feet of co-working space.

“As far as amenities go, there’s going to be nothing like this in the city,” Kelly said.

The new highrise will be located on a 1.7-acre parcel of land just northeast of the Brookstreet on Legget Drive. It will be built as an extension to the existing hotel, wrapping around the parking structure and adjacent to the stormwater pond. Two levels of underground parking attached to the current lot will have spaces for 111 residents’ vehicles and 128 bicycle racks.

Preparations have already begun for excavating the site, such as relocating the golf course’s pumphouse to the other side of the stormwater pond.

“We’re ready to go,” Kelly said.

Wesley Clover isn’t the only organization looking to launch new mixed-use developments in Kanata North as part of the tech park’s push to evolve into more of a complete neighbourhood rather than a collection of office towers.

Earlier this year, Finnish telecom giant Nokia filed plans to tear down its existing Kanata North campus – which is located about 700 metres from the Brookstreet Hotel on March Road – and replace it with a new 500,000-square-foot office complex and as many as 11 residential highrises containing up to 1,900 units.

Such proposals are exactly what the Kanata North Business Association was hoping for when it successfully lobbied council last year to designate the technology park a “special economic district” in the City of Ottawa’s latest official plan.

That status loosens zoning rules that had restricted what types of buildings could be constructed in the neighbourhood, which is home to more than 540 companies and has been dominated by glassy commercial highrises for decades.

KNBA executive director Jamie Petten told OBJ last May that development plans like Nokia’s are part of Kanata North’s “necessary transformation” into a mixed-use district with vibrant commercial and residential components.
“Our daily lives include a lot of other elements beyond just that single use of office space,” Petten said.

Kelly agreed, saying the addition of more apartments and amenities like restaurants and fitness facilities will help entice the next generation of workers to take up residence in the tech park.

In anticipation of further residential development, Wesley Clover has already begun drafting a proposal for another mixed-use project on Terry Fox Drive, across the street from the Nokia site.

“That is the goal for sure, to have that kind of live, work, play community here in Kanata North,” Kelly said. “We’re just at the beginning of that.”

Never miss a story. Get OBJ's daily update in your inbox every Monday to Friday. Click here to subscribe.

https://www.obj.ca/article/real-esta...e-tower-beside

[antresenect]

I don't really understand why it makes sense to raze an iconic, fairly dense set of office buildings in the center of a suburban office park that are barely 30 years old when they could just build residential development on the south side of the property where the parking lot is now. Or, across the street in any direction where this are strip malls / low rise / open lots. To me that seems much cheaper. Also, is there a reason why the "5+1" midrise developments don't seem to be built as much here compared to how they are popping up all over the place in the states. Building codes? Zoning? Land costs?

I know this is a skyscraper forum but it seems perfect for residential midrise infill with some retail on the ground floor as opposed to building 11 highrise towers on a small area like it is Seoul.

[ponyboycurtis]

Originally Posted by antresenect

I don't really understand why it makes sense to raze an iconic, fairly dense set of office buildings in the center of a suburban office park that are barely 30 years old when they could just build residential development on the south side of the property where the parking lot is now. Or, across the street in any direction where this are strip malls / low rise / open lots. To me that seems much cheaper. Also, is there a reason why the "5+1" midrise developments don't seem to be built as much here compared to how they are popping up all over the place in the states. Building codes? Zoning? Land costs?

I know this is a skyscraper forum but it seems perfect for residential midrise infill with some retail on the ground floor as opposed to building 11 highrise towers on a small area like it is Seoul.

I agree completely. We are touting green this and green that and will raze a structure for whimsical gain.

[J.OT13]

I agree as well. As much as this project looks great on paper, it's only without the context of of what's there today. The existing building look great. They no doubt still have decades of usefulness left.

I don't see why they can't keep the current complex as the office and labs and build the nice urban development over the parking lot. If the current complex is too big,

[roger1818]

From what I understand, the current buildings don't meet Nokia's needs. The new design will have a large, 4 story lab building and a 10 story office building. I'm not sure, but the current buildings probably don't have enough lab space.

It also doesn't help that the current buildings don't have underground parking, but the entire new complex will. Having the residential buildings closer to Terry Fox (where the other current retail is located) is also an advantage.

While 30 years might seem young, according to this article, it the building is entering "Adulthood" and maintenance costs will start to increase significantly. As a result, it might be cheaper to demolish and rebuild, especially if significant adaptations are needed to make it meet their current needs. Buildings can last 80-100 years with proper maintenance, but we don't know what corners were cut on maintenance during economic downturns and as the building changed ownership (from Newbridge to Alcatel (later Alcatel-Lucent) and now Nokia).

[originalmuffins]

I still really like this development. More of stuff like this in Kanata North and it can become a pretty iconic tech hub area where one can live in, shop in, and work in.

[waterloowarrior]

Government of Canada to make announcement on supporting the growth and expansion of innovative wireless technologies in Canada
From: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
https://www.canada.ca/en/innovation-...in-canada.html

Media advisory
October 14, 2022 – Ottawa, Ontario

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, will make an announcement about supporting innovative solutions to advance R&D and 5G networking in Canada. Minister Champagne will be joined by the Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario; the Honourable Mona Fortier, President of the Treasury Board; the Honourable Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade for Ontario; the Honourable Merrilee Fullerton, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services for Ontario; and Jenna Sudds, Member of Parliament for Kanata­–Carleton.

Date: Monday, October 17, 2022

Time: 9:30 am (EDT)

Location:
Nokia Canada Headquarters
Main Lobby
600 March Road
Ottawa, Ontario

The announcement will be live-streamed on the Canadian Innovation Facebook page.

[waterloowarrior]

Ontario Secures $770 Million Telecommunications Expansion Project
Nokia’s expansion will create hundreds of new jobs in the Ottawa region
https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1...ansion-project
October 17, 2022

Office of the Premier
Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade

KANATA – As part of its plan to build Ontario, the Ontario government has secured a $340 million investment by telecommunications giant Nokia Corporation to expand its operations in Canada. This investment will support a $770 million project to build Nokia’s new Canadian headquarters in Kanata and create hundreds of high-skilled, good paying jobs, while ensuring Ontario remains a global leader in innovation and technology for generations to come.

“This monumental investment from Nokia shows once again that there is no better place for businesses to grow and jobs to be created than here in Ontario,” said Premier Doug Ford. “We are proud to work alongside our partners to secure hundreds more in demand, high skill jobs for the Ottawa region and we welcome this long-term commitment from Nokia to our province, and our workers.”

As part of its expansion plans, Nokia is building a new office and state-of-the-art research and development (R&D) facilities that will continue driving innovation in Ontario. The expansion will directly create more than 340 high value jobs in Ottawa and the surrounding region. More than 2,500 workers are expected to be employed in Ontario by Nokia once the project is completed in 2027. Nokia will also create an additional 100 student internship positions in the science, technology, engineering, arts and math fields. This will ensure that more students are able to benefit from education opportunities that will lead them to the jobs of the future.

Nokia’s new R&D facilities will develop and transform technology to drive dramatic advancements in network integration. To support this innovative expansion project in the technology sector, the province through Invest Ontario is providing Nokia with a $30 million loan that will assist with growth and job creation. This new R&D hub will secure Ontario’s position as a global leader in advanced technology and the digital future by broadening Ontario’s 5G, cyber security, artificial intelligence and machine learning patent portfolios, while enhancing digital identity management and security.

“Nokia’s investment and expansion project are strong signals that Ontario continues to be the best place for businesses around the world to invest and grow,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “Ontario is home to a wealth of world-renowned research institutes and top talent who work collaboratively with businesses to create game-changing solutions. Working closely with Invest Ontario, our government is proud to support global innovators like Nokia as part of our plan to build Ontario.”

Ontario continues to adopt innovative and forward-thinking approaches to attract both domestic and international investments and be a leading destination to do business.

Quick Facts

• Nokia Corporation is a Finland-based telecommunications giant. More than 2,100 people from across Ontario are currently employed by Nokia. The company is committed to innovation and technology leadership across mobile, fixed and cloud networks.
• Invest Ontario is Ontario’s central agency for businesses and investors to discover what others from around the province and globe have already realized—that Ontario is a top-tier destination for investment and strategic business growth. The agency drives economic growth, supports strategic domestic firms and attracts business from around the world.
• Ontario ranks second in North America, after California, in terms of the number of information and communications technology (ICT) establishments, employing more than 408,000 skilled ICT professionals.
• Seven of the top 10 ICT research and development spenders in Canada are based in Ontario, investing on average more than $3.6 billion.
• Ontario’s ICT industry is clustered in three key cities: Ottawa, Toronto and Waterloo.

Quotes
"The project we’re announcing will help connect Canadians to the jobs of today and tomorrow. It will bring economic benefits to the National Capital Region and stimulate Canada’s tech ecosystem. This is about building a strong economy and a better future for everyone."

- The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau
Prime Minister of Canada

"Nokia deciding to build its Canadian headquarters for the new research and development facilities in Kanata is excellent news for our community. Nokia's commitment today will support the growth of Kanata North's high-tech sector, bring new jobs to the region, and increase economic activity for residents and businesses of Kanata."

- Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, MD
MPP for Kanata—Carleton

"Once again, the Ottawa region continues to show itself as the number one place in Ontario to work and do business in. This announcement by Nokia means more jobs will be created for the people of Carleton, and I'm proud to be part of a government that works for the people."

- Goldie Ghamari
MPP for Carleton

"Today’s announcement is incredible news for families in the Ottawa region, who will benefit from the opportunities and new jobs created by Nokia’s expansion. Our government is proud to support this project and the future of Ottawa."

- Lisa MacLeod
MPP for Nepean

"Nokia is helping to drive Ontario’s tech leadership. This world-class, sustainable R&D hub will be one of Nokia’s most dynamic developments that will create cutting-edge innovations and solutions to advance the global technology ecosystem."

- Pekka Lundmark
President and CEO of Nokia

"Today’s announcement reinforces Nokia’s commitment to the Ontario and Canadian markets, where we have invested $1.4 billion in R&D over the past five years. Nokia’s Ottawa-based R&D hub will generate net-new IP and bring innovative advanced telecommunications and cyber security technologies to market, helping us achieve our goal of improving people’s lives in Ontario, in Canada, and across the world."

- Jeffrey Maddox
President of Nokia Canada

"We are pleased to be working with Nokia to support their growing presence here in Ontario. This investment builds on Nokia’s footprint and showcases Ontario’s leadership in the technology sector. By investing in R&D, Invest Ontario is continuing to provide new opportunities for Ontarians, ensuring our place in the future of the telecommunications industry."

- Trevor Dauphinee
Invest Ontario CEO

[rocketphish]

Nokia to build 26-acre facility in Ottawa with residential units and $72-million in government funding

Temur Durrani, Technology Reporter
The Globe and Mail
Published 3 hours ago | Updated 2 hours ago



Finnish telecommunications giant Nokia Corp. has reached a deal with the federal, provincial and municipal governments to tear down its Canadian facility in Ottawa and build a new, 26-acre research and development centre with residential towers and commercial spaces in its stead.

The technology hub, to be located in suburban Kanata about 20 kilometres outside the National Capital Region, will begin construction next year and is expected to open in 2026. The project is aimed at broadening Nokia’s presence in the country. It is using a $340-million investment from the telecom company and $72-million in total funding from the three levels of government.

In interviews with The Globe and Mail, ahead of an official announcement on Monday featuring Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and several other government officials, Nokia executives described some of the company’s sweeping plans for its new corporate campus. The site will particularly help to extend the company’s 5G wireless network, cybersecurity and artificial-intelligence portfolios, said Jeffrey Maddox, president of Nokia Canada.

The federal government has signed a memorandum of understanding to pay up to $40-million toward Nokia’s project, coming from the Strategic Innovation Fund.

But in early 2019, the federal government had already provided a separate $40-million to Nokia, also through the Strategic Innovation Fund.

According to two different news releases from the federal government, both the 2019 and 2022 funding have been aimed at expanding 5G research and development in Canada. Nokia officials would not say what exactly is different for the two rounds of funding, though clarified that the 2022 government funding will not go toward building the residential or commercial spaces in its new facility.

In an interview, François-Philippe Champagne, federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, described the 2019 and 2022 funds toward Nokia as “complementary,” but the 2022 funding is “more forward-looking,” he said.

The two rounds of funding “should not be surprising, because they are the largest employer in the cluster,” Mr. Champagne said, referring to the Ottawa-Kanata tech region. “This is really positioning us for the next 10 to 20 years. It is about looking at 5G and also opening the door to 6G,” he said.

Meanwhile, the province is pitching in $30-million for the project through Invest Ontario, a government agency aimed at creating new jobs and revenue streams through investments mostly in the private sector.

The City of Ottawa, through Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc., is providing $2-million in capital contributions, which Nokia said will be used to ensure the city’s electrical and energy system can handle the demands of the project.

Nokia Canada is investing at least $340-million between 2023 and 2027 for the new facility, which Mr. Maddox said will mostly go toward labs, equipment, labour and operating costs.

The project will create at least 340 new jobs in Ottawa, Mr. Maddox said. That brings the company’s total staff in the city to about 2,160 people and a cumulative 2,500 people in the province, he said, adding that most of Nokia’s team in Canada is employed in Ontario.

Staff reductions or pullbacks at Nokia’s current facility are not anticipated. “We expect to grow over time. I mean, there’s always tweaks or realignments or reskilling that we have to do as we go. But we recognize the talent that’s here and we’re making commitments to grow our footprint over time and add jobs,” Mr. Maddox said.

“Part of that includes our ability to reskill people that want to transition from other places. And it also includes hiring talent out of school,” he said. “So, we’re looking at adding upwards of 400 interns and co-op students a year, and then, hopefully, being able to hire a number of those into full-time jobs postgraduation.”

Mr. Maddox would not share details about specific ventures to come or activities to be expected out of the Ottawa facility, citing “the competitive environment” in the tech sector. Mr. Champagne hinted that these could include building high-tech connected cars.

Nokia’s facility will be situated on the Kanata North Business Park, an area believed to be Canada’s largest technology park, with other companies such as BlackBerry Ltd., Cisco Systems Inc., Siemens and Ciena Corp.

According to planning documents filed by Nokia to the City of Ottawa over the summer, the company was seeking to build two office towers and 11 residential towers. The residential towers could range in height between 13 and 29 storeys each, the documents suggest. And there would be sufficient parking in the facility for thousands of vehicles.

Nokia confirmed that it is actively seeking rezoning permits for commercial spaces, which would include restaurants and retailers along with the residential units.

In a farewell speech to the business community on Oct. 12, reflecting on his 12 years in office before an election is held later this month, Ottawa’s outgoing Mayor Jim Watson provided a number for those units: “In Kanata, Nokia is planning a full redevelopment of its campus that will create 1,900 new residential units.”

Nokia is working with developers to manage the residential units, but is not expected to be the landlord of the residential properties. The residential units at the tech hub will not be exclusive to Nokia workers.

Follow Temur Durrani on Twitter: @temurdur

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/busi...ial-units-and/

[rocketphish]

Nokia transforming Ottawa facility into tech hub, expanding presence in Canada

The Canadian Press
Oct 17, 2022 • 24 minutes ago • 2 minute read



OTTAWA — Nokia Canada, the federal government, Ontario government and City of Ottawa have announced plans to turn the company’s Ottawa facility into a research and development technology centre as Canada looks to further its 5G wireless technology strategy.

Nokia said Monday that the project will transform its 26-acre campus at the Kanata North Business Park into a mixed-use corporate, residential and commercial hub. The project will also receive $72-million in total funding from the three levels of government.

Breaking the funding down, Nokia will invest $340 million in labs and equipment, labour, and operating costs between 2023 and 2027, while the federal government will provide up to $40 million via its Strategic Innovation Fund.

The provincial government, through Invest Ontario, will provide $30 million to the project, while the City of Ottawa, through Hydro Ottawa, will make a capital contribution of $2 million for control system upgrades.

Nokia said the tech hub will also significantly expand its capacity in cyber security, artificial intelligence and machine learning.

The federal government said the announcement is a step toward strengthening Canada’s wireless network and will help pave the way for new opportunities in the areas of clean energy, smart cities, precision agriculture, autonomous vehicles, and advanced telemedicine.

“Today’s announcement reinforces Nokia’s commitment to the Canadian market, where we have invested $1.4 billion in R&D over the past five years,” said Nokia Canada president Jeffrey Maddox, in a statement.

Nokia said it plans to begin site construction in 2023 and expects to open the new facility in 2026.

The project is expected to create more than 340 new jobs — growing its Ontario-based team to 2,500 — and help Nokia attract highly-skilled, global talent to Canada’s tech ecosystem.

Nokia said the new Ottawa facility will also support the company’s global target of 50 per cent greenhouse gas emission reduction by 2030 by implementing sustainable technologies, including water side heat recovery, air side heat and energy recovery, water side free cooling, and rainwater harvesting.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 17, 2022.

https://ottawacitizen.com/pmn/busine...3-b4051c0d295e

[LeadingEdgeBoomer]

I note that Mokia has said that they will create an additional 100 co-op and student research positions in the new facility. It will be another boost for Ottawa's educational institutions.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by LeadingEdgeBoomer

I note that Mokia has said that they will create an additional 100 co-op and student research positions in the new facility. It will be another boost for Ottawa's educational institutions.

We really need improved transit to Kanata North. Moodie-Kanata North should be a two way, all day, high-frequency route. Alternatively, if they can get the automated shuttles going with similar service and frequency.

Kanata South-Kanata North should also have a frequent route. Maybe a continuous bikeway connecting them to give people some options, a balanced approach, if you will.

[J.OT13]

Rendering of the new office tower:


https://businessfacilities.com/2022/...curity-rd-hub/

I believe I heard in the news yesterday that they plan to complete the rebuild of their complex by 2026. I assume that the demo of the old complex and redevelopment would come soon after.

[Ottawacurious]

Application approved: A Site Plan Control application to construct a new 712 parking lot immediately to the west of the existing office building as an interim solution whilst the new office campus is built to the south the site. The new office campus will be subject to a separate Site Plan Control application.

https://devapps.ottawa.ca/en/applica...3-0138/details

[J.OT13]

DevApps for the Nokia office and reteach centre are up.

https://devapps.ottawa.ca/en/applica...4-0149/details

[rocketphish]

Nokia unveils plans for first phase of new Kanata North campus, targets 2027 opening

David Sali, OBJ
November 27, 2024

Nokia is building nearly 600,000 square feet of office, R&D and retail space on March Road as part of its plan to turn its current Kanata North campus into a commercial and residential hub that could eventually include nearly 2,000 housing units. According to a site plan control application prepared for Nokia Canada by Novatech Engineering Consultants, the first phase of the project at 570 March Rd. will include roughly 592,000 square feet of new construction, with completion targeted for 2027. The 11-acre site between March Road and Legget Drive just south of Terry Fox Drive and Nokia’s existing facility at 600 March Rd. is currently occupied by a large surface parking lot.

Nokia’s plans call for an eight-storey “R&D engineering hub” with 225,000 square feet of office space on the northwest portion of the property. The building will be connected to a five-storey, 345,000-square-foot R&D laboratory that will front along Legget Drive to the east. The buildings are also expected to include about 23,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space that will face a new private street connecting March Road and Legget Drive on the north side of the property. A design brief from architecture firm Gensler says the retail component will initially contain dining and fitness facilities for Nokia employees, but is “designed to evolve into a lively retail corridor.” “This curated mix of retail establishments will serve both the Nokia occupants and the wider community, fostering a lively, pedestrian-friendly atmosphere,” the document adds.

Other elements of the project include a three-floor parking garage with space for 910 vehicles on the southwest side of the property, an outdoor amenity area, and a large “mechanical work yard” south of the R&D lab that will store the large batteries used to power the building. The work yard will be “discreetly integrated” into the development, Gensler says, and will be screened from public view to “ensure operational efficiency without detracting from the development's overall visual appeal.” The architecture firm says the proposed development “is designed to be a catalyst for economic growth, community engagement, and sustainable urban living, setting a new standard for future projects in the City of Ottawa.” The site plan marks the first phase of a proposal Nokia originally unveiled more than two years ago. The Finnish telecom giant said then it wanted to transform Nokia Canada’s 26-acre campus at the Kanata North Business Park into a “sustainable, accessible mixed-use corporate, residential and commercial hub where nearly 2,160 local employees, Ottawa residents and businesses and Canada’s entire tech ecosystem can collaborate, innovate and drive Canadian and global well-being and prosperity.” The company said at the time that it planned to invest more than $340 million between 2023 and 2027 to expand its current Kanata site into a “world-leading” R&D facility focused on areas such as cybersecurity, 5G networks, artificial intelligence and cloud computing. In August 2022, Ottawa city council approved amendments to the city’s Official Plan and zoning bylaws, clearing the way for Nokia to go ahead with the new campus at 570 March Rd. as well as a mixed-use development at 600 March Rd. and future development at 520 March Rd. to the south. Nokia said later that year it expected to start work on the new campus in 2023 and finish it within three years.

The company’s long-term plan for March Road also included as many as 11 residential highrises containing up to 1,900 units. The site plan for 570 March Rd. filed earlier this month does not include any housing but earmarks 520 March Rd. for “future development.” A Nokia spokesman was unable to immediately provide more details on the company’s plans for the property or its construction timelines when contacted on Wednesday. Nokia’s new campus is poised to anchor a series of new development proposals that could change the face of Kanata North. Several developers have filed plans to build new multi-residential housing developments nearby – a trend that has accelerated since the City of Ottawa adopted a new Official Plan two years ago that allows for greater density along major corridors such as March Road and eliminates rules that require a certain percentage of dwelling types on such properties. Earlier this year, for example, KRP Properties said it plans to convert a 10-storey office building near the Brookstreet Hotel, just east of the Nokia property, into a residential complex as part of its effort to diversify its portfolio amid the ongoing shift to hybrid work. At another site not far from the Nokia campus, Gatineau-based Brigil is ramping up a plan to build more than 1,900 residential units on 50 acres of land northwest of The Marshes Golf Club. Meanwhile, Toronto’s Main and Main Developments wants to transform a 13.6-acre parcel of land at the corner of March Road and Terry Fox Drive, just across from the Nokia site, into a cluster of mid- and highrise buildings that would include more than 2,000 residential suites.

https://obj.ca/nokia-unveils-plans-f...-north-campus/

[rocketphish]

New Nokia campus will pave way for transformation of Kanata North, proponents say

David Sali, OBJ
December 3, 2024

Nokia’s plan to build nearly 600,000 square feet of new office, R&D and retail space on March Road is expected to usher in a wave of new developments that will transform the Kanata North tech park into a thriving mixed-use community hub, proponents say.

The Finnish telecom giant recently unveiled its site plan for the first phase of a long-term project that could eventually see thousands of residential units as well as shops and restaurants constructed at the Nokia campus near the corner of March Road and Terry Fox Drive. According to a recent site plan control application, the first phase of the project at 570 March Rd. will include roughly 592,000 square feet of new office, R&D and retail space, with completion targeted for 2027.

Nokia spokesman Kevin Petschow told OBJ in an email last week the company will provide more details about the project “as they become available.”

Kanata North Coun. Cathy Curry said she has been receiving updates on the project’s status from Nokia “almost every week,” adding she expects site preparation work to begin shortly. “As soon as this is approved, they will have what they need,” Curry said. “They know that people would like to see this go up as quickly as possible. In the corporate world, time is money, and they want to make sure they can get in the ground and start building as quickly as possible.” Curry and local business leaders say Nokia’s new campus is just the first of a series of projects that will add new businesses such as restaurants and bars as well as thousands of new residential units to an area that was previously dominated by office towers.

Nokia’s 11-acre site between March Road and Legget Drive is located in the heart of Kanata’s technology park, an area that was designated a “special economic district” in the City of Ottawa’s latest official plan three years ago. Since then, Curry said, she and city officials have had about 10 meetings with tech leaders, developers and neighbouring community associations to look at ways of streamlining the zoning approval process to fast-track projects such as Nokia’s. “The idea is that whatever the regular timeline used to be … this should be significantly shorter,” she said. “(The designation) really reduces red tape … and all the difficult, challenging steps that used to be in place prior to having a special economic district.” The special status also loosens zoning rules that restricted what could be built in the tech park, paving the way for more highrise residential developments.

As a result, Nokia plans to eventually tear down its current office tower at 600 March Rd., just north of the new campus, and replace it with apartment buildings, Curry told OBJ. The company's original proposal called for around 2,000 residential units at the site.

Nyle Kelly, general manager of the neighbouring Brookstreet Hotel and Marshes Golf Club, said the tech giant’s plan to bring thousands of new residents to the area will invigorate Kanata North.

“We’re probably 10 to 15 years away from that, but at the same time, we’ll watch that residential base grow, and that will be great for all the businesses in the community, and the Marshes and the Brookstreet as well,” said Kelly, who is also a past member of the Kanata North Business Association’s board of directors.

The Kanata North special economic district plan calls for new residential development to be concentrated near two transit hubs located along March Road, near Station Road and Terry Fox Drive.

All those new residents will provide a ready-made customer base for local businesses and turn the area into a thriving mixed-use neighbourhood where people can walk to work in nearby offices and shop, eat and drink in new commercial spaces on the lower levels of condo and apartment towers, proponents say. “We’re following the vision and the plan for Kanata North in creating a place where you can work, play and live,” Kelly said. “That’s good for everyone.” Curry agreed. She said Nokia was a catalyst for other companies to put forward their own proposals for Kanata North, such as Toronto-based Main and Main Developments' plan to transform a 13.6-acre parcel of land at the corner of March Road and Terry Fox Drive, just across from the Nokia site, into a cluster of mid- and highrise buildings that would include more than 2,000 residential suites.

“It starts off this entirely new way of being, because never before has anyone ever lived in the tech park,” Curry said. Meanwhile, KRP Properties plans to convert a 10-storey office building near the Brookstreet Hotel into a residential complex with 116 units that are expected to be ready for occupancy in about two years.

Gatineau-based Brigil has also presented a plan to build a series of residential highrises near the Marshes Golf Club that would contain a total of nearly 2,000 suites.

Curry says more builders are waiting in the wings. “We’ve had a lot of questions asked to us by other developers,” she said. “But I think right now, what’s happening is they’re watching to see how (Nokia’s project) is going to go. Seeing is believing.

“I think there are developers that are watching this and saying, ‘Oh, this is a place where there is much less rigmarole and we do things more easily and innovatively.’ If that proves to be true … then I think that other developers will then come.” Kelly said the tech park is poised to undergo a significant transformation in the coming decades as light rail makes its way to Moodie station and other transportation options help transport people to and from Kanata North. “You’re going to see the skyline change over the next 10 to 15 years,” he said.

https://obj.ca/nokia-campus-will-tra...-kanata-north/

[J.OT13]

Ottawa, Canada,
November
25, 2025
Nokia Canada breaks ground on new Ottawa innovation campus, helping to shape the future of Canadian Tech leadership

https://www.nokia.com/newsroom/nokia...ch-leadership/

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What happened to the parking structure?

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Nokia campus will concentrate much of the company’s ‘key work’ in Ottawa, official says

Mia Jensen, OBJ
November 25, 2025



Three years after Nokia Canada announced plans to build a new campus in Ottawa, the first phase of the project has officially begun.

In advance of a ground-breaking ceremony Tuesday morning, Nokia Canada president Jeffrey Maddox told OBJ on Monday that construction of the 750,000-square-foot development, which is being built in the Kanata North tech park at 570 March Rd., will now start.

With 1,900 R&D professionals employed by Nokia in Ottawa, Maddox said it’s a $340-million investment in both the company and the city.

“We’ve been operating here for almost 50 years, since the early ‘80s,” said Maddox. “We will have been operating in the country for longer than that. We’re already here. We appreciate the people who are here. We recognize the town.

“When we look at this business (as key to) the growth of what the company does for the next 50 years, there’s no question that you need to be invested in this market in order to compete on the global stage.” The 11-acre site, which is situated between March Road and Legget Drive just south of Terry Fox Drive and Nokia’s existing facility at 600 March Rd., is currently occupied by a large surface parking lot.

Nokia’s plans call for an eight-storey “R&D engineering hub” with 225,000 square feet of office space on the northwest portion of the property. The engineering hub will focus on cybersecurity, 5G networks, cloud computing and artificial intelligence. It will be connected to a five-storey, 345,000-square-foot R&D laboratory that will front along Legget Drive to the east.

The buildings are also expected to include about 23,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space that will face a new private street connecting March Road and Legget Drive on the north side of the property. A design brief from architecture firm Gensler says the retail component will initially contain dining and fitness facilities for Nokia employees, but is “designed to evolve into a lively retail corridor.” Other elements of the project include a three-floor parking garage with space for 910 vehicles on the southwest side of the property, an outdoor amenity area and a large “mechanical work yard” south of the R&D lab that will store the large batteries used to power the building. “Nokia is helping to drive Canada’s tech leadership,” Pekka Lunmark, president and CEO of Nokia, said in a press release. “This world-class, sustainable R&D hub will be one of Nokia’s most dynamic developments – and I’m proud that it will benefit the people of Ottawa also.” The plan for the campus was originally announced by Nokia Canada in 2022, with the company saying Ottawa was an ideal location to invest in as it expanded its presence in the Canadian market. Construction was originally slated to begin in 2023, with plans to open the new facility by 2026.

Maddox said there are no “very good reasons” for the delay, just that the process took longer than expected. Work on phase one, he added, is expected to take about two-and-a-half years. He said the company hopes to have the new facility open by 2028.

“The vision remains intact from what we would have said previously,” said Maddox. “None of that has really changed. It just took us a little bit longer to sort through the process to get to the ground break.” The new campus will concentrate much of Nokia Canada’s key work in the capital, Maddox said.

As part of Nokia’s growth strategy in a changing tech landscape, he said network infrastructure is becoming a cornerstone of the business. In addition to prioritizing quantum-safe networks, he said the company is focused on AI infrastructure, which will include developing a global fibre optics network, AI routers and connecting AI data centres as more are built.

“All of these things have development teams here in Ottawa,” he said. “This site is involved in all of the company’s most critical projects. The story we tell is about participating and leading the AI super-cycle. Much of that critical work has teams of R&D people doing that work on this campus.” Maddox said another goal is to attract new talent to the area, with the next phase of the project intended to build out infrastructure to make Kanata North a more attractive place to live as well as work.

Once the first phase is complete, Nokia plans to tear down its current office tower at 600 March Rd., just north of the campus, and replace it with apartments. The company’s original proposal called for around 2,000 residential units at the site.

“People are the most important part of the equation,” said Maddox. “The subsequent phase will require us to identify an investor and a model to rebuild where we sit today into residential. The vision is simple, though — the notion of this live, work, play type of community. It’s really a grand vision and for us it’s trying to do our part in the community, to build the assets we need to attract talent and do our work.” It’s a significant, long-term project that Maddox said he’s excited to see finally come to life.

“When you start these big projects, there will always be some number of people that are pessimists or not sure how we get there,” he said. “You can’t get to these types of days and not be super-excited. It takes an awful lot of work, far more than you think when you’re sitting there with a vision. It’s really a huge milestone for us to get to this point.” When the plan was announced, the Finnish telecom giant said it wanted to transform Nokia Canada’s 26-acre campus at the Kanata North Business Park into a “sustainable, accessible mixed-use corporate, residential and commercial hub where nearly 2,160 local employees, Ottawa residents and businesses and Canada’s entire tech ecosystem can collaborate, innovate and drive Canadian and global well-being and prosperity.”

With files from David Sali

https://obj.ca/nokia-campus-concentr...official-says/