Mont Royal

The Secret Life of Houses and Other Buildings

Don’t know why exactly it has taken so many years for me to finally attend the Doors Open Ottawa event. Whatever the reason I suspect it would also explain my lack of participation to date in the glorious Jane’s Walk events, too. Seems the dates never make it onto my calendar and then poof! they pass by with regret on my part.

Doors Open Ottawa is an absolutely free weekend-long event that offers participants the opportunity to visit many public and private spaces that aren’t otherwise open to the public. I downloaded the building listings then mapped out my itinerary. Not surprisingly, I lost myself in the pleasures of walking and shooting on the way, making it to only to a fraction of my planned stops. Tant pis! On such a gorgeous day – and without kids in tow – it would have been criminal to run around like a chicken with my head cut off. I discovered shops, buildings and views I never knew existed and felt a bit like a tourist in my own city. I sat on a patio on Elgin Street with my cider, revelling in the chatter and vibrancy of the street. Jane Jacobs would have approved.

No commentary today just a photo gallery. If there was a thematic to the day I would call it “Old Meets New With Great Success.” A callout to Mike (sitting next to his garden plot on the rooftop deck), a resident of Beaver Barracks, who was my tour guide extraordinaire at the residence. He beamed with pride as he showed me around the gorgeous, state of the art project from Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation (CCOC). And thanks to Alex of the Gypsy & Company Vintage Boutique on Gilmour St. who allowed me to photograph him as I came in to treasure hunt.

Doors Open Ottawa continues today (Sunday).

[imagebrowser id=9]