Whether you look at the city skyline or peer deeper into each unique neighbourhood, it’s easy to see that Ottawa real estate tells a long history of development. As one of the oldest and most established cities in Ontario (and in all of Canada), there are buildings here that date back to the 1600s. While you probably won’t find an Ottawa home for sale quite that old, there are a number of residences that have centuries of charm—and with the kind of modern updates that make life comfortable.
Life in Historic Ottawa
Situated as it is on the Ottawa and Rideau Rivers, Ottawa was an ideal place to begin settlement in the early days of Canada’s history. The rich soil lent itself to farming communities, and the town grew from a handful of settlers to a major stopping point as explorers and fur traders began crossing the country.
More intense development began in the 1820s, when the Rideau Canal was constructed, and an infrastructure was needed to support all the soldiers, engineers, and builders. Originally known as Bytown, you can still see many of these original structures in Ottawa today. Some have been converted into historical registers, while others are commercial buildings. For private residences in this original Bytown area, you can find quite a few condos for sale—most of which are new developments but have been built with an eye to preserving the original historical charm.
Once Ottawa was chosen as the capital city in 1857, the city flourished even more. Government buildings and homes stately enough to house government officials began to be constructed, and Parliament Hill got its trademark name. Rockcliffe, the original neighbourhood for these government officials, remains a favorite area for luxury homes and stately historic residences for the elite of the city.
Ottawa Today
Today’s Ottawa offers an eclectic mix of upscale downtown development and quieter, country-style villages and hamlets. Although you can find a variety of homes and home types in almost every village, some of the best places to look for historic homes for sale in Ottawa include Baytown, Manotick, Long Island Village, Mount Sherwood, Nanny Goat Hill, Parkview, and Rockville, to name a few.
If you’ve always dreamed of living in a historic home, where centuries of age and charm have come together to create a one-of-a-kind residence, the Ottawa real estate provides you with your pick. You can opt for a starter home complete with upgrade potential or choose a home that has already been preserved and updated, providing all the modern conveniences without losing any of its original woodwork. And because so many of the historic neighbourhoods in Ottawa share streets with boutique shops, cafes, and restaurants, you can enjoy a chic, semi-urban lifestyle with some of the best views in the province.
