RETURN TO GLORY
Builder restores grandeur of Colonial-style home of former mayor, Paula McCooey writes
Standing in the formal living room of a newly renovated Colonial-style home, builder Shneur Bielak marvels at the roundabout way he became owner, renovator, and now seller, of the stately Glabar Park house once occupied by former Ottawa mayor and Minto Developments founder Lorry Greenberg.
Bielak’s connection to the home began a decade ago when he worked as a Cantor and professional singer. Carol Greenberg — the wife of Lorry Greenberg who passed away in 1999 — often invited him to perform opera and classic Hanukkah songs during holiday parties.
Bielak has fond memories of standing next to a grand piano in the formal living room, performing for an intimate audience that often included dignitaries from Ottawa’s tight-knit Jewish community and beyond.
“I remember singing and looking around and thinking ‘If I could ever afford a house like this, I would love to update it and recreate this beautiful space.’ And so when the opportunity came up, I said to myself I am fortunate enough now to have the (building) company and the resources to do it, and do it right.”
He purchased the stone home — which was custom built by the Greenberg family in the early ’60s — early last year.
After retiring from his life of singing, Bielak discovered a passion for home construction after renovating his own home.
His father-in-law Larry Hartman, who owns Hartman’s grocery store on Bank Street, encouraged him to continue on that path.
Bielak now owns Neoteric Developments Inc. and typically builds luxury modern homes.
He said he happened to learn the Greenberg home was for sale because he was building his own custom home on Melwood Avenue in Glabar Park just off Lenester Avenue.
“I happened to drive by and I saw the For Sale sign and I said right away to my agent … ‘let’s set something up right away.’ I’ve always wanted to work on that home. And that’s what we did.”
The Greenbergs were the first and last owners before Bielak.
And while it boasts high ceilings and a curved staircase, the home had never been updated and still had the original art deco turquoise kitchen, blue carpeting, dark wood doors and wallpaper.
Bielak’s goal was to stay true to the Colonial charm and draw on the original decor by salvaging at least one original piece from each room — while at the same time marry those elements with modern decor.
Bielak gutted the home and restored the crown moulding and laid fresh maple wood floors with natural stain.
All the windows have been replaced with added transom features over doors and doorways to push the light through the home’s interior, which is painted with neutral tones of grey and beige to appeal to potential buyers — a contrast from the home’s original bright hues.
“While I wanted the house to keep its traditional element, people are looking for a more open feel,” he said.
He removed the double heavy wood doors on the front of the home and installed a single door, which is true to Colonial style.
The door is painted in Old World Blue, a nod to the blue marble that graced the entrance of the home prior to the renovation.
He restored the staircase, once covered with carpet, with Colonial spindles and installed a grand wrought-iron chandelier in the foyer, a lighting style that is echoed throughout the home.
The once-turquoise kitchen theme is now gone and replaced with a chic dark grey marble countertop, stone floors, white iron double sink and top-of-the-line appliances.
Bielak salvaged the pendant ceiling lights to maintain some of the kitchen’s original art deco charm.
“I had them cleaned and put back, just in a new position.”
Just off the kitchen is a spacious mud room with a long bench, hooks and cubbies because, he says, modern families are all looking for storage these days.
He had custom bookshelves built in the informal living room and installed a wrought-iron fireplace to create a focal point in the room.
“I looked for a period correct fireplace and this actually is,” Bielak said, turning it on with a remote control. “It’s gas and there are coals inside that heat up and then they continue to glow.”
The master bedroom is inviting with its luxury ensuite that includes an oversized glass shower with classic black and white waffle tile and a free-standing tub. Like all the bathrooms, they feature Colonial-style hot and cold taps.
While Bielak said he would like to invite the Greenberg family to see the changes he made, both Carol, and her son Jeff, who originally listed the property, respectfully declined because they chose to remember their family home the way they left it.
“That is the memory I want, I don’t want a different memory,” said Jeff Greenberg. “When I think back to Lenester, my memories are an aqua colour kitchen, a blue toilet, a pink bathroom and blue carpeting and my mother’s wallpaper. That’s my memory of Lenester, and that’s the memory I want. ”
Bielak says he looks forward to the day a new family will move in and begin to create their own memories.