Sisters of the Visitation Convent

Location

Ottawa, ON

Why it matters

Known locally as “The Elms,” the former Sisters of the Visitation Convent is a rare and striking example of Gothic Revival vernacular architecture in Ottawa. Built between 1864 and 1865 and expanded in 1913, the building served for over a century as a cloistered monastery, with its distinctive wings arranged around a secluded courtyard. Designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act, it stands as both a landmark and a reminder of Ottawa’s religious and architectural heritage.

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Why it's endangered

Since the sale of the Convent property to Ashcroft Homes in 2009, two substantial housing complexes have been built on the Convent lands as part of an overall vision for a community with the historic building at its heart. The convent, however, has been unoccupied, boarded up, and increasingly neglected. Structural deterioration has accelerated, including serious cracks in the foundation, prompting the City of Ottawa to mandate engineering assessments and emergency repairs.

The owner, Ashcroft Homes, is now in receivership. The Convent with the remaining vacant land has been listed for sale. It is uncertain how a new owner will honour existing heritage protections or commit to a sensitive restoration. Without urgent stabilization measures and a clear, conservation-minded vision for adaptive reuse, this significant heritage site faces a deeply uncertain future.