NCC buys former Rideau Street Chapters building

The National Capital Commission has purchased an empty storefront near the corner of Rideau Street and Sussex Drive that was once occupied by Chapters, the NCC has confirmed.

The Chapters on Rideau Street had been in business since 1996, but closed in 2022 when parent company Indigo opened a new store in the CF Rideau Centre mall across the street.

Sources tell CTV News Ottawa that the NCC purchased the property at 47-57 Rideau St. for more than $20 million.

In a statement, the NCC confirmed it had bought the property, but did not disclose the sale price.

"This building was purchased because it is considered part of the National Interest Land Mass (NILM) due to its prominent location along Confederation Boulevard, and its potential to bring new life to this area of the downtown core," the NCC said.

It's unclear what the NCC plans to do with the space, but sources say the Crown corporation will be seeking tenants. The NCC says it is actively engaged in "confidential discussions with a proponent" and expects to be able to provide further details "in the coming weeks."

Rideau-Vanier Coun. Stéphanie Plante said she is excited to see what the NCC will do with the space.

"In an ideal world, it would be like some sort of indoor market where we could bring tourists from either side of Rideau Street or George Street to see some of our merchants and our ByWard Market sellers, but we will have to see what they have in store," said Plante. "Lots of opportunities, lots of good news on the horizon for downtown and I look forward to getting a briefing from the NCC as to what they have in mind."

The NCC is the largest property owner in the national capital region. It owns more than 1,600 properties in Ottawa and Gatineau, including several commercial, residential and heritage buildings, in addition to the capital's six official residences.

"The NCC is a key community partner to the revitalization of downtown," said Plante. "They have sat in on various committees with this very discussion and, as you know, (CEO) Tobi Nubsbaum was a previous city councillor so he really understands some of the challenges we’re facing down here. I'm very looking forward to getting their briefing. We really want to make sure that it has some community usage and keeping it in public hands is really a great idea."

According to the NCC's 2022-2023 annual report, commercial property leasing in the last fiscal year brought in $19.8 million in revenue.

--With files from CTV News Ottawa's Graham Richardson, John Crupi, and Tyler Fleming.

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