Ottawa winters ask a lot of us: boots by the door, a scraper in the car, and a willingness to leave the house in the dark. A condo with an indoor pool offers a small but welcome alternative-a swim without the drive home in a wet bathing suit.
This updated shortlist brings together favourites from my original article and Claridge Icon, in no particular order. They span downtown and the west end, so the right choice depends as much on your daily routine as the pool itself. This is a lifestyle shortlist, not a ranking of pool size or swimming facilities.
1. The Bowery - 255 Bay Street
Centretown
The Bowery combines an indoor pool with a central address. If swimming is part of how you reset after work, start here: compare the pool experience with the suite, commute and surrounding streets rather than treating the amenity as a separate attraction.
My showing tip: Ask to see the pool during the hours you would normally use it. The atmosphere at lunchtime can feel very different from an evening visit.
Explore The Bowery building guide and current listings.
2. Tribeca - 179 Metcalfe, 40 Nepean and 197 Lisgar
Centretown
Tribeca brings together downtown condo living and access to indoor swimming. The community includes the Metcalfe and Nepean towers and the Lofts at Tribeca on Lisgar. Consider the specific address and unit when comparing options; a community name alone does not tell you how the route to the amenities will work.
My showing tip: Walk from the suite to the pool and confirm the access arrangements for that condominium. Convenience matters when you want a quick swim before work.
Explore 179 Metcalfe, 40 Nepean and 197 Lisgar.
3. Claridge Icon - 805 Carling Avenue
Little Italy / Dow’s Lake
Claridge Icon adds a Little Italy option to the shortlist. Its indoor pool has large windows that bring daylight into the swimming area, with seating along the poolside. If a bright setting makes it easier to stick to your swimming routine, this is one to see in person.
My showing tip: Visit at the time you would usually swim. Check the usable swimming space and depth, and ask about busy periods, guest access and maintenance closures.
Explore the Claridge Icon building guide and current listings.
4. Claridge Plaza - 200 and 234 Rideau Street
Rideau Street / ByWard Market area
These two buildings share an amenities area that includes a pool. The condominium’s published guide describes resident access and accompanying-guest rules-a useful reminder that a pool is a shared residential facility, not a public recreation centre.
My showing tip: If visiting family or friends are part of the appeal, request the current guest and supervision rules. Confirm them with management before making plans around weekend swims.
Explore 200 Rideau and 234 Rideau.
5. Ambleside I and II - 1081 and 1171 Ambleside Drive
Woodroffe / Ottawa west end
Indoor swimming is not limited to downtown towers. Ambleside I and II offer west-end alternatives for buyers who want a pool while considering a different part of the city. Tour each building separately: sister buildings can have different rules, upkeep schedules and ownership costs.
My showing tip: Compare the full monthly cost and the amenities you would actually use. A longer list of facilities only adds value to your lifestyle if it fits your routine.
Explore Ambleside I and Ambleside II.
Before you buy a condo with a pool
- Check access: Ask about operating hours, maintenance closures, guests, children and supervision requirements.
- Try the route: Look at elevators, changing facilities, steps and any accessibility features you need.
- Ask about upkeep: Request information about recent repairs and planned work. A beautiful photo cannot tell you the condition of equipment behind the scenes.
- Review the whole building: Discuss the status certificate, budget and reserve-fund information with your lawyer. Pool costs form part of a much bigger ownership picture.
This article combines photographs from the original post with an updated Claridge Icon image; facilities may have changed since the photos were taken. Amenities and access rules can change. Confirm current pool availability and the arrangements attached to the specific unit before you buy or rent.
Find a condo that fits your swimming routine
Tell me where you want to live, your budget and how you would use the pool. We can build a shortlist around the whole home-not just the water-and arrange showings that include a look at the amenities.
Find my condo with a pool Browse current Ottawa condo listings