Article
‘History Ottawa’ Deal is a Win for Downtown Ottawa
May 8, 2025 4 Minute Read
CBRE has hit the right note in leasing the former Chapters building in downtown Ottawa to Live Nation Canada.
The erstwhile bookstore at 47-57 Rideau St. will become “History Ottawa,” a 2,000-person entertainment venue minutes away from Parliament Hill, ByWard Market and the National Arts Centre. The transaction was the Ottawa Board of Trade’s 2024 Deal of the Year.
CBRE Ottawa ’s Jamie Boyce brokered the sale of the Chapters building to the National Capital Commission (NCC) earlier last year and was retained by the NCC to lease the space. CBRE Calgary ’s Ania Gryzewski and John Fisher represented Live Nation Canada as part of a national mandate with the global entertainment company.
“This is a game-changer for Ottawa's entertainment scene and a major win for our retail practice,” says CBRE Ottawa’s Managing Director Maxime Foucaud .
Live Nation launched its “History” brand in collaboration with Canadian rapper Drake in 2021 with the opening of a 2,500-person venue in Toronto’s Beaches neighbourhood. The new Ottawa venue marks the brand’s first foray outside Toronto. It is slated to open in 2026.
Tuning In
Groundwork for the deal began three years ago when Boyce was hired to lease the Chapters building on behalf of a private landlord. The owner eventually pivoted and sold the building to the NCC through a competitive disposition process. The NCC engaged Boyce to lease the space with the goal of enhancing the cultural experience in the Capital Region.
Live Nation had been in the market for years looking for mid-sized venues in the 1,500-4,000 person range but was having no luck. “They needed a space far from residential buildings due to the noise but with high ceilings and no columns to obstruct the views,” Gryzewski explains. “There are only so many spaces in Ottawa that fit the bill.”
Live Nation’s purpose aligned with the NCC’s vision. They expressed interest in the space, and the company enlisted an architectural engineering team to ensure the former Chapters building could accommodate its needs. Boyce worked with the City of Ottawa to secure long-term exclusive use of parking spaces adjacent to the building, enabling touring buses and trucks with music and staging equipment to easily access the building.
Positive Momentum
Although the space will require significant investment and structural changes, like demolishing a part of the second floor to create a viewing room, the former Chapters building was a great fit for Live Nation. The transaction was finalized last summer. “History Ottawa will be an incredible addition to the local arts, entertainment and culture scene,” says Boyce.
The venue will help improve foot traffic in the area, benefitting nearby businesses as concert-goers eat, drink and shop before shows. “It was important for Live Nation to work with a landlord who understood the bigger picture and was not driven by a short-term return on investment,” says Gryzewski. “Government entities like the NCC are perfect for that.”
This new venue will contribute to a broader downtown revitalization project, which includes a $129 million government commitment to renovate the nearby ByWard Market. “Downtown Ottawa suffered during the pandemic,” says Boyce. “But retail activity in that area is now showing positive momentum. We’re seeing deals within the CF Rideau Centre, along Rideau Street and in the ByWard Market.
“Things are looking up for our retail market and this revitalization project will have a positive long-term impact.”
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