Mid-Century Modern Ottawa

ModernRealtor · #1 Posted: **Jan 5, 2011, 1:46 AM**

I want to open up a thread to discuss mid-century modern (MCM) architecture and design in Ottawa (from the 1940s-1970s).
Does anyone have a favourite mid-century modern building or neighbourhood they want to share? Or a great source for mid-century modern furniture or decor?
Ottawa has quite a few hidden gems of MCM design, some of which are highlighted in my blog that celebrates MCM residential design in Ottawa: http://modernrealtor.blogspot.com/ I often include old floor plans for houses in my postings.

adam-machiavelli · #2 Posted: **Jan 5, 2011, 3:28 AM**

Check out Fairfield Heights. The southern portion had a restrictive covenant preventing changes to the front facades until very recently.

McC · #3 Posted: **Jan 5, 2011, 1:25 PM**

The California Ranchers and split levels on Chattaway in Alta Vista are pretty special.

Harley613 · #4 Posted: **Jan 5, 2011, 2:08 PM**

Bells Corners is a hotbed of 'MCM'. I went to Bell High School and used to marvel at the unique, the strange, and the 'so ugly it's beautiful' homes.

ModernRealtor · #5 Posted: **Jan 6, 2011, 10:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by McC

The California Ranchers and split levels on Chattaway in Alta Vista are pretty special.

They are pretty special!! I believe that they were built by the builder "Chalmers", the same builder that built on Cabot Street and Chalmers Road (at Pleasant Park and Riverside). I wish I had the floor plans for those houses!

ModernRealtor · #6 Posted: **Jan 6, 2011, 10:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harley613

Bells Corners is a hotbed of 'MCM'. I went to Bell High School and used to marvel at the unique, the strange, and the 'so ugly it's beautiful' homes.

Bells Corners is a great gem of MCM residential design! Most of the houses in Arbeatha Park and Lynwood Village were built by "Teron", who also built Beaverbrook in Kanata, and some of the most stunning Homes in Qualicum. I plan on doing a future posting on my Blog dedicated to MCM design in Bells Corners!

McC · #7 Posted: **Jan 7, 2011, 1:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ModernRealtor

They are pretty special!! I believe that they were built by the builder "Chalmers", the same builder that built on Cabot Street and Chalmers Road (at Pleasant Park and Riverside). I wish I had the floor plans for those houses!

Yeah, those houses around the Billings Estate are quite similar (I grew up nearby) and it doesn't surprise me at all that they might be the same builder.

This one here on Island Park is kinda fun too:
http://tinyurl.com/38akhs9
I always think that it's design was modelled after these guys from Empire:
http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.80384238.jpg

OttawaSteve · #8 Posted: **Jan 7, 2011, 10:53 PM**

Certain streets in the area around Carlingwood S.C. are pretty amazing.

This house off of Lenester is one of my personal favourites.

ModernRealtor · #9 Posted: **Jan 9, 2011, 8:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by McC

Yeah, those houses around the Billings Estate are quite similar (I grew up nearby) and it doesn't surprise me at all that they might be the same builder.

This one here on Island Park is kinda fun too:
http://tinyurl.com/38akhs9
I always think that it's design was modelled after these guys from Empire:
http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.80384238.jpg

Yep! That is one of my favourite houses on Island Park!

This is also one of my favourites (just a couple houses down from the other one): http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&sourc...,28.5,,0,-1.07

ModernRealtor · #10 Posted: **Jan 9, 2011, 8:46 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by OttawaSteve

Certain streets in the area around Carlingwood S.C. are pretty amazing.

This house off of Lenester is one of my personal favourites.

Wow! That is a stunning house! I would love to see the inside of it.

Harley613 · #11 Posted: **Jan 10, 2011, 2:14 PM**

There are some real gems on Goodwood

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie...08583&t=h&z=18

McC · #12 Posted: **Jan 10, 2011, 2:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ModernRealtor

Yep! That is one of my favourite houses on Island Park!

This is also one of my favourites (just a couple houses down from the other one): http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&sourc...,28.5,,0,-1.07

I called that one the "hat house" when we lived nearby. One of its most impressive features is the way they built around the oak tree on the Patricia side: http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&sourc...,0.013261&z=16

Harley613 · #13 Posted: **Jan 10, 2011, 8:17 PM**

that is wayyyyy too cool!!!

flar · #14 Posted: **Jan 10, 2011, 8:33 PM**

The Qualicum area has some amazing homes.

ModernRealtor · #15 Posted: **Jan 11, 2011, 1:11 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by McC

I called that one the "hat house" when we lived nearby. One of its most impressive features is the way they built around the oak tree on the Patricia side: http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&sourc...,0.013261&z=16

Wow! I love the house even more. I have never seen it from the Patricia side! I am always impressed when trees are preserved when a house is built. Too many trees are senselessly destroyed – when they present a unique opportunity like with this house.

ModernRealtor · #16 Posted: **Jan 13, 2011, 2:03 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harley613

There are some real gems on Goodwood

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie...08583&t=h&z=18

Wow! I didn't even know that pocket of MCM houses existed! I love discovering hidden gems like that. Thanks!