424 Parkdale Avenue: Fire Station 11

424 Parkdale Avenue is a beautiful, red-brick building located near the corner of Parkdale and Gladstone in Ottawa. It was once Fire Station 11 in Ottawa.  It was designed and erected under the supervision of Ottawa architects Richard H. Millson, Cecil Burgess and Albert J. Hazelgrove in 1924. According to Canada’s Historic Places, Fire Station 11 was one of three surviving pre-1930 fire stations in Ottawa when it received a Municipal Heritage Designation (Part IV) in 1996. Ottawa Fire Station No. 5, and Station No. 10, built in 1890 and 1921, respectively, were the others.

Fire Station 11 signaled a transformation in fire station construction and technology. Its purpose was to “give proper protection to the lives and property of those living in the fast-growing district” of the Hintonburg neighbourhood. 424 Parkdale Avenue had two large bays that once allowed the horse-drawn fire engines to quickly deploy. It boasted a hose drying tower where firefighters hung their hoses after a call, and its cast-iron lettering ‘Station No. 11’ was visible on the front façade and tower.

424 Parkdale Avenue, an example of Adaptive Reuse in Ottawa.

Adaptive reuse refers to the process of reusing an existing building for a purpose other than which it was originally intended or designed. It involves refurbishing, converting, and preserving some of the architectural beauty and characteristics of the original, but often with lower construction costs, when compared to building new. Adaptive reuse is generally faster than building brand new and can be an attractive alternative while promoting sustainability.

“Adaptive reuse is an exciting shift in real estate,” says Jonah Bonn. Jonah is Managing Director of First Bay Properties Inc., a boutique property management firm in Ottawa that is looking to grow its portfolio. “Many commercial property management companies like First Bay work with building owners to rejuvenate older buildings.”

Cory Wilson, one of First Bay’s Property Managers says “We’ve seen lots of new creative spaces throughout Ottawa. The Innovation Centre at the old Bayview Yards is a great example for instance. But we’re also starting to see more commercial spaces like Flora Hall and 424 Parkdale Avenue, as well. In fact, old fire stations, banks, and restaurants, for example, are all prime candidates for adaptive reuse projects. First Bay Properties would love to take on more third-party management opportunities like these.”

Fire Station No. 11 closed in 1986. It is now, however, a space that is suitable for office, commercial and retail businesses alike. 

424 Parkdale Avenue is Bright and Open

The bright and open ground floor is 2,310 square feet and features polished concrete flooring and a large commercial kitchen. The adjacent open is also suitable as an event venue. It also features three washrooms (including one that is accessible), and a separate outdoor patio area.

Here’s the ground floor’s plan:

A separate ground floor bay was also converted into office space. The photo below shows how the first-floor space is transformed and ready for new tenants.

The second floor offers 2,500 square feet of space. It once served as the living accommodation for Station 11’s Captain, and other administrative functions. The second-floor has seen a variety of uses since that time. There are two large support areas, a meeting area, and three private offices along with a storage area, kitchen, seating area, and washrooms.

The second-floor space was recently used as office space for a realty firm. This space could also be ideal for a design and advertising firm, technology company or even an art gallery. Other business types will inevitably fall in love with the attractive charm and history of the former Station 11.

Thinking of Renting Commercial Space in Ottawa?

424 Parkdale Avenue is ideal for businesses looking for attractive office space, just minutes away from Highway 417 in either direction. With a walk score of 92 out of 100, 424 Parkdale Avenue is, therefore, a hot spot for daily foot traffic and is also just a 10-minute walk from the Tunney’s Pasture LRT station, the westernmost point on the O-Train Confederation Line. Moreover, it is also near Parkdale Park, Fisher Park, and Byron Pathway. Additional amenities include numerous banks, restaurants, and retail businesses.

This sought-after building is a community landmark. It is a must-see if you are considering renting a unique commercial space in Ottawa. Call First Bay Properties Inc. at 613-454-8089 to learn more about this beautiful space.

About First Bay Properties Inc.

First Bay Properties Inc. offers cost-effective, personalized, and timely property management services to tenants and landlords in Ottawa. Most importantly, we take great pride in our track record as a property management company for small businesses and even publicly traded companies. Similarly, we are also the property management company of a diverse portfolio under management that includes retail, office, and industrial spaces, plus restaurant chains, national distributors, petroleum retailers, and financial service providers. First Bay Properties Inc. wants to expand our services and grow our portfolio.

Finally, to learn more about our personalized property management services in Ottawa, please contact Jonah Bonn or Cory Wilson.