Lead the legacy
Shape what brings people here.
The National Capital Commission (NCC) is inviting distinctive businesses, cultural organizations, and destination operators to register interest in joining the Aqueduct District at LeBreton Flats. This is your opportunity to establish your business, organization, or concept in one of Canada's most significant new redevelopment districts, alongside landmark projects like the future Major Events Centre.
We are also inviting qualified development teams to register interest in the development of the Aqueduct District. We're seeking developers with the experience, vision, and capacity to bring this opportunity from concept to execution. Experience in complex, mixed-use, transit-oriented, heritage-sensitive, or destination developments is essential.
At this stage, there is no cost to participate, no binding commitment, and no priced bid. Submissions will be assessed on experience, vision, feasibility, and ability to move at pace. The deadline to submit is December 16th, 2026.
The opportunity
A rare opening in a remarkable setting.
The Aqueduct District will be LeBreton Flats' cultural and entertainment district, set within an unmatched master-planned community that will be home to more than 11,000 residents. With ambitious targets for affordable housing and community amenities, the area is poised to become a model for inclusive, sustainable urban living. Its location offers close proximity to transit, the Capital Pathway, and surrounding cultural destinations:
- Ādisōke, the new joint Ottawa Public Library and Library and Archives Canada
- Canadian War Museum, welcoming over 500,000 visitors each year
- Future 16,000-seat Major Events Centre, home of the Ottawa Senators
The NCC is looking for proponents with a strong point of view. We welcome businesses, cultural organizations, and concepts that can contribute something distinctive to the identity of the district.
The vision
Built around what makes this place different.
The Aqueduct District is envisioned as a year-round destination, active from morning to late evening, seven days a week. New residents, workers, visitors, tourists, and event-goers will flock to the wider LeBreton Flats area, with major events adding another layer of activity throughout the year. Your opportunity is to be part of an iconic district that gives people reasons to visit every day, not just when an event is taking place. It will offer:
- A singular sense of place: A setting shaped by historic waterways, stone bridges, industrial heritage, new development, and a strong public realm.
- Places worth coming for: Distinctive restaurants, cafés, boutique retail, cultural organizations, creative businesses, and other concepts that give the district its character.
- Activity 365 days a year: A diverse mix of operators that create reasons to visit, stay, and return from morning to late evening, across the seasons. Supported by a growing residential population and major destinations nearby.
- A place to make your mark: An opportunity to establish your presence early and become part of how people experience and remember the district.
- Connections to the city: Strong pedestrian through-lines to the surrounding neighbourhood, Capital Pathway, O-Train, and Ottawa's broader network of destinations.
Submission criteria
What we're looking for.
The NCC is seeking tenants that can demonstrate:
- A compelling vision and distinctive contribution to the district.
- Relevant experience and a proven track record of success.
- Financial, operational, and development feasibility.
- A strong understanding of the opportunity and its audience.
- The capacity to deliver, collaborate, and create an enduring contribution to LeBreton Flats.
Explore the submission process
Register your interest
Want to learn more, request access to the virtual data room or submit an expression of interest? Send in your submission through the form below. Interested proponents will need to complete and submit a confidentiality statement to obtain access to the virtual data room.
Please note that the NCC reserves the right to post any updates or clarifications to this webpage before the offer deadline. The NCC also reserves the right to enter into negotiations with multiple proponents after the offer submission deadline. The NCC, at their sole discretion, will consider all received offers and may accept the offer that they deem most favourable.