589 Rideau Street - Wallis House
Ottawa's oldest residential landmark
589 Rideau Street — known as Wallis House — is widely considered Ottawa's most iconic loft conversion and one of its oldest standing buildings. Originally constructed between 1873–1875 as the Carleton County Protestant General Hospital in response to the typhus epidemic, the building served the city for over a century through its many lives before being lovingly restored as 47 hard loft condominiums in 1996. Designated a Heritage Building by the City of Ottawa in 1990, Wallis House features 14-foot ceilings, extensive exposed red brick, soaring 10-foot windows, and open-concept layouts that no new construction can replicate.
L.A. Sandy Smallwood
A century and a half of service
From hospital to seminary to barracks to Canada's most beloved loft address — Wallis House has served Ottawa's community in every form for over 150 years.
Pricing & condo fee history
Almost three decades of sales data trace the remarkable and sustained appreciation of Ottawa's most historic loft address — from first sales in the late 1990s to nearly $675K at peak.
Recent sales
| Unit | Sold | List Price | Sold Price | LP/SP | Bed | Bath | Condo Fee | Taxes/yr | DOM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #206 | Mar 2026 | $474,900 | $470,000 | 99.0% | 1 | 2 | $672/mo | $3,861 | 18 | Sold |
| #401 | Feb 2026 | $549,900 | $540,000 | 98.2% | 1 | 1 | $804/mo | $3,684 | 16 | Sold |
| #502 | May 2025 | $549,900 | $546,000 | 99.3% | 1 | 2 | $863/mo | $4,001 | 21 | Sold |
| #302 | Nov 2024 | $475,000 | $487,000 | 102.5% | 1 | 2 | $881/mo | $4,830 | 7 | Sold |
| #305 | Jun 2024 | $299,900 | $375,000 | 125.0% | 1 | 1 | $354/mo | $2,305 | 6 | Sold |
| #104 | Jul 2024 | $499,900 | $485,000 | 97.0% | 1 | 1 | $654/mo | $3,701 | 31 | Sold |
| #401 | Sep 2024 | $539,000 | $530,000 | 98.3% | 1 | 1 | $769/mo | $4,004 | 110 | Sold |
| #408 | May 2024 | $699,000 | $675,000 | 96.6% | 1 | 2 | $1,017/mo | $5,204 | 8 | Sold |
Sandy Hill, Ottawa
Wallis House sits on the edge of Sandy Hill — one of Ottawa's oldest and most storied neighbourhoods — steps from the University of Ottawa, Strathcona Park, and the vibrant Byward Market.
All data sourced from MLS® historical records. Building history sourced from publicly available records. Information is provided for reference purposes only and does not constitute a representation or warranty. Condo fees, taxes, and prices are subject to change. Prospective buyers should conduct independent due diligence.