Construction crews have begun a $419-million renovation and redevelopment of Lansdowne Park in downtown Ottawa.

Early demolition in underway on select portions of TD Place stadium’s north and south stands, but events remain accessible through other gates as Lansdowne remains open, the city said in a project update.

Known as Lansdowne 2.0, the multi-year project at the city-owned site will be delivered in three phases. Construction of the new event centre is set to begin shortly and continue through fall 2028, followed by work on the north side stands from late 2028 to late 2030. A mixed-use development with residential towers and retail space is scheduled to start in 2031 and conclude by the end of 2034.

“Some of the site’s important public facilities, including the stadium’s north-side stands and the event centre, are nearing the end of their useful life and no longer meet today’s standards, particularly in the area of accessibility,” said the city. “The nearly 60-year-old event centre and north-side stands require extensive and costly maintenance to remain operational, with costs only increasing as more time passes.

EBC of Quebec is co-ordinating the construction project. The new event centre will replace the aging TD Place arena, formerly the Civic Centre, and will prioritize full accessibility and gender-inclusive facilities. The venue will feature a distinctive exterior, improved energy efficiency and facilities designed to support professional women’s sports, including customized spaces for the Ottawa Charge of the Professional Women’s Hockey League.

The event centre will accommodate up to 7,000 people for concerts and 6,600 for hockey, with 5,850 fixed seats complemented by modern standing and gathering areas, according to

Redevelopment plans also include new north-side stands with seating for 12,400, increasing total stadium capacity to more than 23,000. The stands will feature wider concourses, additional washrooms and significantly improved accessibility, and like the south side stands, will be roofless, though options for limited weather protection are being explored.

The broader mixed-use component will include two privately developed residential towers of up to 40 storeys with approximately 770 units, along with expanded public amenities. Plans call for 12,700 square metres of green space and 6,280 square metres of public plaza space, including the return of the Great Lawn for festivals and concerts, a reintroduced berm for recreation and tobogganing, and 4,550 square metres of municipally owned retail space integrated into the tower podiums.

“These upgrades are designed to replace aging infrastructure, improve accessibility and sustainability, and support tourism, small businesses and local jobs, making Lansdowne a more inclusive and vibrant year-round destination,” the city said.

Major events, including outdoor markets and sports activities, will continue throughout construction. The city said construction traffic will be closely managed, with dedicated routes along Bank Street, on-site oversight teams and flag personnel to minimize impacts and respond to community feedback.