Living in Riverside South, Ottawa
Ottawa's most ambitious new community — master-planned along the Rideau River, with LRT already in place and more development coming every year.
What Riverside South Is Building Toward
Riverside South is Ottawa's largest master-planned community, and it's genuinely unlike anything else being built in the city. Situated south of Barrhaven along the Rideau River, the community was designed from the start with transit, green space, and walkable mixed-use areas as core principles — not afterthoughts bolted on to a standard subdivision.
The Trillium LRT Line arrived in Riverside South in 2023, with the Bowesville Station serving the community. This changed the buying conversation significantly. Residents can now take the train to Bayview Station and transfer to the Confederation Line for downtown access. For a community at this distance from the core, that's a meaningful infrastructure investment that differentiates Riverside South from comparable new-build areas without transit.
The community is still in active development. Phases continue to be built out by Minto, Mattamy, and other major builders, meaning buyers have more new construction options here than almost anywhere else in Ottawa. The trade-off is that some of the community infrastructure — retail, parks, schools — is still catching up to the residential development. Buyers buying into an early phase of a master-planned community are always partly buying into a future state rather than a present one.
What's already there is good. The Rideau River is nearby, trail connections are being built out, and the initial commercial development along Limebank Road is filling in. For buyers willing to embrace a community that's still growing, Riverside South offers new-build quality with a transit-connected long-term outlook that most suburban Ottawa communities don't have.
Riverside South at a Glance
What's Being Built in Riverside South
Riverside South is a community in active development. Here's what's already there and what's planned.
Findlay Creek
One of the more established sections of Riverside South with a good mix of housing types, including townhouses and detached homes, and a growing commercial node nearby.
Limebank / Bowesville Area
Closest to the LRT station and the primary commercial development corridor. The most transit-accessible part of the community and where mixed-use development is concentrating.
Riverstone
A newer planned sub-community within Riverside South with larger lots and executive-style homes. Rideau River proximity adds to the appeal in certain sections.
Riverside South Village Core (planned)
The long-term vision includes a walkable village centre with retail, services, and community facilities. Phased development is progressing toward this goal.
Heritage Park Area
One of the earlier built-out sections of Riverside South with more established streets and some mature landscaping relative to newer phases.
Future Phases (South)
Significant land is still available for development to the south. Buyers in current phases are investing in a community that will continue expanding around them for years.
Who Tends to Choose Riverside South
New Construction Buyers
Riverside South is Ottawa's premier destination for buyers who want a brand-new home. Multiple builders, multiple phases, and a wide range of price points and floor plans make it the most varied new-build market in the city.
LRT-Focused Commuters
Bowesville Station's presence makes Riverside South viable for downtown commuters in a way that comparable southern communities aren't. The train changes the calculus significantly.
Young Families
New builds mean modern layouts designed for contemporary family life — open concepts, main floor offices, primary bedroom suites, and EV-ready garages. The community is being built with families in mind.
Nature and River Buyers
The Rideau River runs along the community's edge, and the trail network being built out will eventually connect much of Riverside South to the waterway. For outdoor-oriented buyers, this is a compelling long-term asset.
Early-Stage Investors
Buyers who purchase in master-planned communities early in their development often see appreciation as community infrastructure catches up to residential development. The LRT investment anchors long-term value.
Move-Up Buyers from Barrhaven
Families in Barrhaven who want a newer home with more space or a fresh community feel often look south to Riverside South. The proximity keeps connections to existing schools and amenities reasonable.
Schools in Riverside South
As a newer community, school infrastructure is still developing alongside the residential build-out. Existing schools serve current phases, with new schools planned as population grows.
- Findlay Creek Public School — serving established sections of the community
- Our Lady of the Annunciation — Catholic elementary option
- Secondary students currently served by nearby Barrhaven schools
- New schools planned as community phases complete
- French immersion options available through existing nearby schools
School planning evolves as the community grows — check the Ottawa schools guide for the most current information.
Getting Around
- Bowesville LRT Station — Trillium Line connection to Bayview and downtown transfer
- Limebank Road — main arterial connecting to Barrhaven and Highway 416
- Highway 416 — south connection to 401 for regional travel
- OC Transpo feeder routes connecting to the LRT
- Rideau River Trail — cycling and walking along the waterway
- Planned future trail connections throughout the community
Browse current homes for sale in Riverside South.
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