The Blog

Elements of the structure and mechanical systems at 205 Crichton Street have deteriorated and are in need of repair or replacement.  Extensive structural deterioration exists within the garage and breezeway, including but not limited to: a leaking asphalt shingle roof; rotting wood roof rafters; rusted metal floor joists and beams; and, cracked concrete foundation walls.  These deficiencies (typical of a … Read More

In February I presented a preliminary concept for a renovation and addition to 205 Crichton Street to the New Edinburgh Community Alliance Heritage and Development Committee (NECA HDC). Download a copy of the preliminary concept for 205 Crichton Street presented to the NECA HDC. Written comments were received from the committee a month later.  In the covering email message to … Read More

Unlike the urban monocultures more common outside of the city’s core, New Edinburgh is characterized by the human scaled relationships between elements of the public realm and the architectural forms resultant from almost 175 years of development, and redevelopment.  New Edinburgh’s history is a narrative of changes to individual buildings, within the context of a consistent neighbourhood character. The intention … Read More

The City of Ottawa’s Heritage Survey and Evaluation Form suggests that the property at 205 Crichton may have been developed in response to the housing crisis precipitated by the end of the Second World War.  Each of the three rental units to have been built at 205 Crichton Street in 1945 were designed to provide 1,200 square feet of living … Read More

Since 1945, the brick bungalow at the intersection of Crichton Street and Dufferin Road has sat unfinished.  Prior to its construction, the property at 205 Crichton Street was a vacant lot, that had remained undeveloped since the establishment of New Edinburgh. Construction of the building at 205 Crichton street was begun by Leonard Boehmer in 1945.  Leonard Boehmer was an … Read More

The following descriptive text concerning the property at 205 Cricthon Street is an excerpt from the due diligence work prepared in advance of its purchase: The subject property is located on the southwest corner of the intersection of Crichton Street and Dufferin Road (Part of Lots 20 & 21 in Block 18, Registered Plan 42, City of Ottawa) at the … Read More

“Old ideas can sometimes use new buildings. New ideas must use old buildings.“ Jane Jacobs, Writer and Activist, 1916 – 2006 On November 29th I purchased a piece of the old New Edinburgh for the fair price of $585,000.  Given that my previous Passive House and LEED Platinum certified development project was only a block away, I had often admired … Read More

In December 2010, while the outdoor temperature was in the minus double digits, a fuse in the heating system of Chris Straka’s home failed and the system shut down. He neglected to replace it until four days later when his partner Carmen asked if he had lowered the thermostat. The indoor temperature had dropped 3 degrees.