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Situated on 34 acres of land along the Ottawa River, Zibi is a mixed-use redevelopment that is transforming derelict industrial lands into a world-class, highly sustainable waterfront community.

Spanning across the river shorelines of Ottawa, ON and Gatineau, QC, the development features several low- and high-rise residential, retail and commercial buildings, all connected to a centralized zero carbon district energy system and surrounded by parks, gardens, and easy access to multiple transit options. 

Ledcor was engaged throughout pre-construction before starting to build the first of seven phases in 2017, partnering with Ed Brunet & Associates on the Quebec side. Our teams performed substantial remediation of the land and selective demolitions. They then began renovating and restoring historic buildings that date back to the late 1800s and early 1900s, constructing new buildings, and laying the groundwork for the district’s heating and cooling system. Ledcor implemented advanced coordination strategies to manage access issues due to canal and site congestion from multiple ongoing construction and infrastructure projects.

In the seven years since, our teams have successfully delivered nine buildings totaling one million square feet as well as the community’s District Energy System – a thermal heating plant with a complex underground network of interconnecting pipe systems and over-water pipe bridges. We also completed two large shoreline parks with bike and pedestrian paths and seating areas that blend hardscape and greenery. 

The whole development was designed and constructed to be Canada’s first One Planet Living community. One Planet Living is a flexible sustainable framework that covers all relevant social, environmental and economic aspects of a development. At Zibi, the buildings use sustainable materials and products, and almost all construction waste was recycled. The District Energy System aims to eliminate GHG energy sources by relying on the local paper plant for heating and the Ottawa River for cooling – it will be the first in North America to use post-industrial effluent energy recovery in a master-planned community. There will be multiple transit routes, extensive cycle networks, 8 acres of public and park space, and walking trails for residents, workers and visitors. As a whole, the development will reduce potable water consumption by 15% through super-efficient appliances and non-potable water for sewage conveyance and landscaping. 

Zibi is part of a growing portfolio of projects that Ledcor is helping deliver for the Ottawa region, including Carlingview Manor, a 320-bed long term seniors’ care facility that is currently underway.

Project Highlights