It is bordered by the Ottawa River to the north, the Rideau Canal to the east, Gloucester Street to the south and Bronson Avenue to the west.

[1][2] Downtown Ottawa is dominated by government buildings, including Parliament Hill and the Supreme Court.

The downtown also contains a number of apartments, hotels, and condominiums as well as the older single family homes and townhouses along its edges.

East of the canal, but west of King Edward Avenue, including the Rideau Centre and the ByWard Market, is also normally considered downtown, and is referred to locally as 'Lowertown' or Lower Town.

The heritage district runs from Bank to Elgin, with CBC broadcast studios at Metcalfe and Sparks.

The City of Ottawa zoning restricts and regulates development to allow high-rises north of Gloucester St. and affords heritage designation to some areas and buildings.

Construction of the 2.1 billion dollar line, including the 2.5 km (1.6 mi) subway tunnel did not end in time for the 2017 celebration of Confederation's 150th anniversary.