Storefronts, plaza units, street retail and service commercial space for lease across Ottawa and Eastern Ontario.
Retail Space for Lease in Ottawa
Retail leasing
Finding the right storefront in Ottawa
Retail space in Ottawa's neighbourhood and community plazas is in short supply. Vacancy in those centres was just 1.4% in the first half of 2026, and well-located units in growing suburbs such as Orléans, Kanata and Stittsville rarely stay empty for long.
The right location depends on your customers: who they are, how they arrive, and what else draws them to the area. We look at traffic, visibility, parking, co-tenants, signage, zoning and the cost of fit-up, then compare each option on its total cost.
Below are current MLS® listings. See our full retail real estate services.
4.5%
overall Ottawa retail vacancy, H1 2026
$44.73
average asking gross rent per sq ft
1.4%
vacancy in neighbourhood and community centres
0.1%
vacancy in Orléans retail
Live MLS® listings
Retail space for lease in Ottawa
Updated automatically from MLS®. Many units lease without being listed, so tell us what you need.
Choose well
What makes a retail location work
Customers and traffic
Foot and car traffic, nearby homes and offices, and the daily pattern of your customers.
Visibility and signage
How easily customers find you, and what the landlord and city allow on the building and pylon.
Co-tenants
Anchors and neighbours that bring customers, and exclusives that protect your business.
Parking and access
Enough parking at your busy times, and easy entry from the main road.
Zoning and use
Whether the zoning and the lease permit your use, including food, medical or assembly uses.
Fit-up
The cost to build out the space, and how much the landlord will contribute.
Market snapshot
Ottawa retail market at a glance
Ottawa retail vacancy fell to 4.5% in H1 2026, and average asking gross rent rose to $44.73 per square foot. Neighbourhood malls saw the strongest rent growth, while vacancy in community and neighbourhood centres stayed at 1.4%.
Orléans (0.1%) and Kanata/Stittsville (0.5%) had almost no vacancy. Gloucester had the most availability at 11.1%, with the lowest rents. Downtown asking rents were stable, helped by strong leasing at CF Rideau Centre.
Market figures: Cushman & Wakefield, Ottawa Retail MarketBeat, H1 2026. Asking gross rents; figures change each period.
We negotiate
- Base rent, escalations and free rent
- Tenant improvement allowance and landlord work
- Exclusive use and co-tenancy protection
- Signage rights and hours
- Renewal options and assignment rights
- Percentage rent, where it applies
Explore
More Ottawa retail real estate
Restaurant space
Restaurant, café and food service locations.
Retail plazas for sale
Plazas, strip centres and retail investment properties.
Selling a retail property
How we help owners prepare, evaluate and sell.
Leasing your retail space
How we help landlords lease vacant units.
Ottawa Retail Leasing FAQs
How much does retail space cost in Ottawa?
Average asking gross rent was $44.73 per square foot in H1 2026, according to Cushman & Wakefield, ranging from about $29 in Gloucester to over $50 downtown and in Ottawa South. Each unit depends on location, size and condition.
What is the difference between net and gross rent?
Net rent is the base rent. Gross rent adds your share of taxes, insurance and common area costs. We compare options on the full occupancy cost.
Who pays the broker when I lease retail space?
In most commercial leases the landlord pays the commission. We confirm how fees work for each property before you commit.
How long does it take to open a store?
Allow several months for the search, lease, permits and fit-up. Restaurants and medical uses usually take longer.
Mitch Gauzas, REALTOR®
