Ottawa’s elite live in Rockcliffe Park. Here’s what what to know

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There are few neighbourhoods in Canada as wealthy as Rockcliffe Park, and surely none as politically powerful.

Reportedly the new Ottawa home of Justin Trudeau, Rockcliffe Park is already home to new Prime Minister Mark Carney’s longtime Ottawa residence, and a 10-minute drive from Parliament Hill.

It’s home to Stornoway, the official home of opposition leader Pierre Poilievre, as it has been to virtually all of Canada’s major political leaders for generations, from Lester Pearson to Pierre Trudeau to Brian Mulroney to Jean Chretien to Stephen Harper.

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The leafy, planned neighbourhood filled with grand homes is also home to business leaders, diplomats and others.

The area was designated a national historic site in 2024, with its features making it an “excellent example of the picturesque English and American suburban planning traditions of the late 19th century.” It is characterized by “narrow curving roads, without curbs or sidewalks, large lots and gardens, and houses set within a lush green landscape,” per a news release about the designation by the federal government.

“The average home sells for around $1.8 million, while high-end properties often go for $2.3 million to $3.6 million. Rentals in the area can be steep, with luxury homes renting for $10,000 to $25,000 per month,” Ottawa realtor Jason Polonski of Right at Home Realty said over email. (The average selling price for a home in Toronto was $1,070,100 in February, according to online mortgage lender Nesto. For Vancouver, the average selling price was $1,173,000 in February.)

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Who lives in Rockcliffe now?

The neighbourhood has “long been home to Ottawa’s elite, including politicians, ambassadors, and business leaders,” said Polonski.

“The area is also home to high-ranking diplomats, with over 150 ambassadorial residences, including those of the United States, Japan, Spain, India, and Korea,” he said.

Canadian businessman Michael Cowpland’s sprawling estate is reportedly located in the Rockcliffe area.

According to an article in Maclean’s archived by the Canadian Encyclopedia, the $14 million home was designed in 1995. In 2018, the Ottawa Citizen called Cowpland’s home a “gold-windowed mansion.”

Rockcliffe Park was where Mark Carney resided after he moved back to Canada from England in 2020. Carney’s office has not responded to requests from the National Post about where he will live as prime minister.

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As prime minister, Trudeau lived at Rideau Cottage, which is on the grounds of Rideau Hall, bordering Rockcliffe. Trudeau will be living nearby for at least the next year.

Per the Globe and Mail, Trudeau rented a home in Rockcliffe after moving out of Rideau Cottage. Previous queries to the prime minister’s office made by the National Post about Trudeau’s living situation remain unanswered.

Who else has lived in Rockcliffe?

Canadian aviator Johnny Fauquier also lived in Rockcliffe. He was the most decorated pilot from Canada in the Second World War, the Ottawa Citizen reported. The home where he was born was built in 1913 and was designed by architect Allan Keefer. It was sold to the Fauquier family in 1920 and was called “Ardvar,” according to the Swedish Property Board.

The home is now the residence of the Swedish ambassador, after being purchased by the Swedish state in 1944, the board said.

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Former U.S. ambassador to Canada Bruce Heyman, who was in the role from 2014 to 2017, also lived in the neighbourhood. He hosted many events there, including a lavish holiday party at his Rockcliffe Park home in 2016.

It was built in 1908 and has 32 rooms, sitting on 10 acres of land, the Ottawa Citizen reported.

Rockcliffe has housed Supreme Court justices, cabinet ministers, and prominent business executives, said Polonski.

What is Rockcliffe known for?

The homes and buildings in the Rockcliffe Park neighbourhood have been designed by renowned architects, such as Allan Keefer, Werner Noffke, A.J. Hazelgrove, Hart Massey and A.J. Ames.

“They promoted the use of a variety of styles such as Tudor, Georgian, and Queen Anne,” according to the federal government. “Homes in this district were built with durable, high-quality natural materials, in a setting that respects the original rural ambience of the Village of Rockcliffe Park.”

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Polonski said it is considered to be one of Ottawa’s “most prestigious and historic neighbourhoods.”

It is known for its “stately homes, tree-lined streets, and large lots,” he said.

“It has a quiet, village-like atmosphere while being just minutes from downtown,” Polonski added. “The community is home to top private schools like Elmwood and Ashbury College, beautiful green spaces, and the Rockcliffe Pavilion, which offers stunning views of the Ottawa River.”

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