Old Ottawa South building slated for demolition, 50 to 60 tenants face eviction by summer 2027
A developer plans to tear down a 23-unit building at 551 Riverdale Ave. and replace it with 92 units. Tenants got notice in August. The City has no bylaw yet to protect them in demolition cases.
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A developer plans to tear down a 23-unit building at 551 Riverdale Ave. in Old Ottawa South and replace it with a 92-unit, four-storey building. About 50 to 60 long-term tenants received eviction notices in August 2026 and must leave by summer 2027. CBC reported the story on November 11, 2026.
The developer, JSS Riverdale Holdings Inc., says the building has reached the end of its useful life and that key parts of its structure are actively failing. The company is offering to help tenants find other places to live, cover moving costs, and give current tenants first choice of units in the new building. These are the developer's own offers, and the City has no current bylaw requiring them.
One of the tenants facing eviction is Linda Thom, who won Olympic gold for Canada in 25-metre pistol shooting at the 1984 Los Angeles Games. She has lived at 551 Riverdale since 1975. CBC reported her reaction: "It was quite a kick in the stomach."
Why Ottawa's tenant protection bylaw does not apply here
Ottawa City Council passed an anti-renovictions bylaw in July 2026. It requires landlords to get a city licence within one week of issuing an eviction notice connected to renovations. The bylaw was designed to stop landlords from pushing tenants out to do cosmetic work and then raising rents.
The bylaw does not cover demolition. When a landlord plans to tear a building down entirely, tenants have no protection under it. The building at 551 Riverdale is a demolition case.
What comes next
City staff are reviewing a demolition-control bylaw. The review is looking at models used in Toronto and Vancouver, where similar rules are in place. Staff recommendations are expected in early 2027. The developer's application is also expected to go before the planning and housing committee in early 2027.
Shawn Menard, the councillor for Capital Ward, which covers Old Ottawa South, listed support for tenants at 551 Riverdale Ave. as a specific campaign commitment. His campaign page named the building directly. His promise to keep speaking out for these tenants is in the tracker.
Residents who want to speak to this plan can contact Councillor Menard's office. When the application comes before the planning and housing committee in early 2027, the City will post the meeting date on its planning portal. That hearing is an opportunity to submit comments or speak.
Questions this story answers
What is happening at 551 Riverdale Ave. in Old Ottawa South?
The building's owner, JSS Riverdale Holdings Inc., plans to tear it down and replace it with a four-storey, 92-unit building with 1-to-3-bedroom units and 30 underground parking spaces. About 50 to 60 tenants currently live there and received eviction notices in August 2026. They must leave by summer 2027. CBC reported the story on November 11, 2026.
Who lives in the building being demolished?
About 50 to 60 long-term tenants live at 551 Riverdale Ave. One of them is Linda Thom, an Olympic gold medalist who won gold at the 1984 Los Angeles Games in 25-metre pistol shooting. She has lived in the building since 1975. CBC reported her reaction: "It was quite a kick in the stomach."
What does the developer say about the demolition?
JSS Riverdale Holdings Inc. says the building has reached the end of its serviceable life and that critical parts of its infrastructure are actively failing. The developer also says the new building will add housing and reduce flood risk from the nearby Rideau River. These are the developer's own claims.
What is Ottawa's anti-renovictions bylaw and why does it not protect these tenants?
Ottawa City Council passed an anti-renovictions bylaw in July 2026. It requires landlords to get a city licence within one week of issuing an eviction notice for renovations. However, the bylaw covers renovation-related evictions only. When a landlord plans to tear a building down entirely, the bylaw does not apply. CBC reported that the building at 551 Riverdale is a demolition case, not a renovation.
What is the City doing about demolition-related evictions?
City staff are reviewing a demolition-control bylaw. The review is looking at how Toronto and Vancouver handle the same issue. Staff recommendations are expected in early 2027. After that, the proposal would go to the City's planning and housing committee. No date for a committee vote has been set.
What is Councillor Shawn Menard doing about this?
Shawn Menard is the councillor for Capital Ward, which covers Old Ottawa South. During the 2026 election campaign he listed continued support for tenants at 551 Riverdale Ave. as a specific commitment. His campaign page named the building directly and said he would keep speaking out for tenants facing eviction because of demolition.
What assistance is the developer offering affected tenants?
According to CBC, JSS Riverdale Holdings Inc. has offered to help tenants find alternative accommodation, cover moving costs, and give current tenants the first chance to rent units in the new building. These are offers the developer has described; there is no City requirement that obligates them.
What can a tenant or resident do if they are concerned about this plan?
Tenants and residents can contact Councillor Shawn Menard's office in Capital Ward. The developer's application is expected to come before the City's planning and housing committee in early 2027. That committee hearing is an opportunity to speak or submit comments. When a date is set, it will be listed on the City of Ottawa's planning portal.
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