Shauna and Mathieu OUR HOME:

“We were in the backyard, surrounded by the lovely old trees in this wonderful green space, when we saw the potential of the place.” MEET THE NEIGHBOURS: ROTHWELL HEIGHTS

A newly built modern two-storey dwelling composed of reclaimed red brick, reclaimed barnboard, and black metal siding.

OUR STREET:

Our street, Kaymar Drive, is at the junction of Rothwell Heights and Beacon Hill. In the old days of Rothwell, it was a marshy area due to the low elevation. The area still has a bit of that cottage feel due to the lack of sidewalks and streetlights, and the wildlife.

MOVED HERE IN:

2013. We lived in the original residence for four years, then tore it down in 2017. The new build was finished in 2018.

PREVIOUS RESIDENCES:

Prior to moving here, Mat lived in a semi-detached house in the Orleans area of Bradley Estates and Shauna lived in a two-bedroom condo in the Civic Hospital neighbourhood.

PRIME MOTIVATORS:

We both grew up outside of the city — Mat in a village outside of Ottawa and Shauna on a farm — so we were used to a little more backyard space. We like modern houses and wanted a space that would fit our active lifestyle, but it seemed that many of the new modern houses were on tiny lots. One evening, I visited Rothwell Heights. It was dusk, the air was really fresh, I could see the stars. The house was not what attracted us, but we were in the backyard, surrounded by the lovely old trees in this wonderful green space, when we saw the potential of the place.

FAVOURITE PLACES IN THE ’HOOD:

We are avid runners and cyclists, and we love the pathway down by the Ottawa River. We also have kayaks and like to drive up to Victoria Island and kayak downstream to our house.

Our family loves biking to the marina, the Canada Space and Aviation Museum, and to parks. And we bike to our favourite places in New Edinburgh — Red Door Provisions and Sundae School. Dominion City Brewery is a favourite haunt year-round.