BASELINE ottawa
Artists need space to live, create, and socialize.
BASELINE is an affordable housing development project with boarding rooms specifically designed for musicians, dancers, painters, photographers, writers, and artists of all stripes and colours.
But BASELINE is more than just housing — it’s a movement to give artists a place to live, with affordable rents, communal creation spaces, cultural programming and equipment, as well as proximity to venues, schools, and, most importantly, other artists.
🏠 50 units (singles)
💰 $950–$1,050/month
📍 Baseline Road
📅 July 1, 2027
✅ To qualify to live here, you must:
Prove that you are a professional or aspiring artist by submitting your resume and artist bio.
Convince us that you will respect the rules of the building by providing personal references.
Show us how you plan to contribute and raise the vibes of the community by writing an intro letter.
Show us that you’re a reliable renter by allowing us to run a credit check. (To learn how, click here.)
Amenities
🎤 Performance Venue
A professional space for concerts, showcases, and speakers. Sound system, lighting, and seating.
☕️ Bar & Cafe
A cozy spot to meet friends, recharge and collaborate while enjoying food and drink.
📸 Photo/Video Studio
Lighting, backdrops, and green screens. Designed for photography, film, and content creation.
🚐 Shared Van
A community vehicle for residents who need to go tour, move gear, and walk to take road trips.
🖼️ Art Gallery
A rotating exhibition space for artwork, perfect for openings, showcases, and other events.
🎶 Rehearsal Spaces
Soundproof rooms for practice and collaboration. Equipped for bands, actors, and creative teams.
⚡️ High-Speed Internet
Reliable fiber-optic Wi-Fi and ethernet in all units. Fast, stable connections with back-up access.
🎭 Arts Programming
Curated workshops, events, and performances, with opportunities to learn, share, and connect.
💃 Dance Studio
A space for movement and choreography. Open floors, sound system, and flexible setup.
🎨 Painting Studio
A space for painting and visual arts. Large easels, natural light, and flexible work areas.
🏋️ Fitness Centre
On-site gym to stay strong, healthy, and energized. Accessible daily for residents.
🎧 Recording Studio
Professional equipment for recording, mixing, and producing. Includes isolation booths.
Building Benefits
🌍 Net Zero
Sustainable building designed for energy efficiency. Lower costs, greener footprint, and future-proof.
🌞 Natural Light
Bright, airy rooms with large windows and good views. Ideal for good vibes, inspiration, and positive outlook.
🌱 Green Spaces
Landscaped outdoor areas and gardens. A place to relax, recharge, and connect with nature.
🚇 Public Transit
Steps from public transit for quick, easy access. Stay connected to the city without needing a car.
🔇 Sound Proof
Designed with acoustics in mind. Privacy, focus, and noise control for artists of all kinds.
☯️ Feng Shui
A thoughtfully designed layout that flows. Spaces arranged to inspire balance, focus, and creative energy.
❄️ Climate Control
Efficient heating and cooling systems. Stay comfortable year-round while keeping utility costs low.
🎓 Close to Schools
Walking distance to universities and arts programs. Perfect for students, teachers, and lifelong learners.
🔒 Secure Access
Modern entry systems and 24/7 monitoring. Peace of mind so you can focus fully on your art.
🚲 Bike & Gear Storage
Dedicated secure storage areas. Keep instruments, canvases, or bikes safe and accessible.
🛋️ Community Lounge
Comfortable gathering spots for residents. Perfect for casual hangs, brainstorming, or late-night chats.
🏗️ Quality Construction
Built with care, comfort, and durability in mind. Beautiful design, solid materials, and high-quality systems.
History
In 2025, a small group of passionate citizens came together to re-imagine what communal housing for artists in Ottawa could look like.
They saw a growing crisis: Ottawa’s artists were being priced out of housing and left without affordable creative spaces. This often mean artists would leave the cities in search of better infrasteructure in centres like Montreal, Toronto, New York, and LA.
This wasn’t just a problem for artists — as creative economies grew, it became clear that cities, and even Canada as a whole, were losing out on the cultural and economic vitality that artists bring. At the same time, socially-conscious housing developers were searching for sustainable models that balanced community impact with financial viability.
From the early conversations with the founding team, the vision for Baseline was born — a 50-unit residence where affordability, culture, and community thrive under one roof.
The project blends the stability of proven housing development with the vibrancy of artist-driven programming, creating a model designed to replicate the greatest artists incubators in history, including Bauhaus, Soho, and Andy Warhol’s Factory.
Team
Thor Simonsen
Executive Director,
Hitmakerz Worldwide
Thor Simonsen is a Danish-Canadian artist, entrepreneur, and investor. Born in the Faroe Islands and raised in Nunavut, he has produced 20+ albums, written several books, and won multiple arts and business awards. To learn more, visit: www.thorsimonsen.com
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FAQ
What’s included in the rent?
Units are $950–$1,050/month (depending on the size) plus utilities. For an additional $150/month, residents get full access to the shared amenities on a first-come first-serve system.
Who can live at Baseline?
In order to create a diverse and inspiring artist community, priority is given to residents who are professional or aspiring artists, creatives, and cultural workers in various disciplines.
Is Baseline accessible ?
Yes. The building has been designed with accessibility in mind, including accessible units, barrier-free entry, and accessible common areas.
Can I apply on behalf of someone else?
Yes, you can apply for a unit on someone else’s behalf if you provide their information, pay the deposit, and they finalize the lease themselves upon acceptance.
Can I host guests or collaborators?
Yes, residents are welcome to host friends, collaborators, and visiting artists in common spaces, provided they follow community guidelines.
When will move-in be available?
Baseline is scheduled to open on July 1, 2027. Applications will open in advance — join the waitlist to be the first to know.
What kind of programming is included?
Baseline offers a range of cultural programming, including workshops, performances, exhibitions, etc. The programming will be managed by an internal council of artist residents.
“Our goal is to create opportunities for artists to turn their dreams into reality.”
– Thor Simonsen, Executive Director
Instructions
Apply
Pay deposit
Move in (July 1, 2027)
Who is Hitmakerz?
Hitmakerz began as a dream to help a young artists named Kelly Fraser who didn’t know how to make it real. She began working with Hitmakerz, and before she knew it, she was performing at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa, and at the U.N. Headquarters in New York. Kelly passed away before she was able to fully realize her dream, but the label she inspired lives on to support artists like her. Learn more.