Coming soon – the Glebe House Tour!
By Caroline Warburton, with photos by Suzanne McCarthy
Join us on Sunday, September 21, from 1 to 4 p.m. for a special opportunity to tour homes in Ottawa’s historic Glebe neighbourhood.
Due to the recent fire on Fourth Avenue, one of our original participants is no longer able to open their home for this year’s tour. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the family during this difficult time.
Thanks to the swift efforts of our volunteer team and the generosity of two additional homeowners, we are pleased to confirm that this year’s tour will feature six homes, one more than usual.
We’re deeply grateful to all the homeowners who so graciously open their doors and to the dedicated volunteers who make the Glebe House Tour possible.
Your ticket grants you access to these beautifully curated homes and helps support a subsidy program for Ottawa families and children with special needs, allowing them to take part in programs offered by the Glebe Neighbourhood Activities Group (GNAG).
This self-guided tour lets you explore at your own pace, with knowledgeable volunteers at each home to answer your questions. Stroll through the neighbourhood or hop on our complimentary shuttle bus. Afterward, relax at the Glebe Community Centre between 2:30 and 5 p.m. with a complimentary tea service and delicious homemade baked goods.
Tickets are $40 in advance and $45 on the day of the event and are available at the Glebe Community Centre or online at gnag.ca under the “Events” section. Children 12 and older require their own ticket. Babies in arms are welcome free of charge. Tickets are limited – get yours early!
We are looking for additional volunteers to help on the day of the tour. Volunteers will arrive at their assigned home around 12 noon and stay until just after 4 p.m. The house leader will assign each volunteer a room and provide notes with key details to share. When visitors arrive, volunteers answer their questions and help manage the traffic flow in the house. At the end of the tour, volunteers are invited to join us for tea at the Glebe Community Centre.
For more information about volunteering, please contact clare@gnag.ca.
Caroline Warburton and Suzanne McCarthy are long-time organizers of the annual Glebe House Tour.
9 Monkland Avenue
Just steps from the canal and Queen Elizabeth Driveway, this home is a classic example of early 20th-century Tudor Revival architecture, featuring an asymmetrical façade, prominent chimney, exposed wood beams and plaster walls. Historic details like the iron staircase railing and leaded-glass windows have been preserved, while tasteful renovations – such as a curved-line kitchen with a breakfast nook and a spa-like bathroom with heated floors – honour the home’s Tudor charm. Decor blends designer, antique and Mediterranean-inspired pieces, with art and even an olive tree reflecting the family’s heritage.
38 Fourth Avenue
A life-changing fall and severe concussion left the homeowner bedridden, unable to continue her nursing career. In that difficult time, caring for her beloved pets became her lifeline, grounding her with purpose and connection. Designing creative habitats for her tortoise and gecko offered a spark of joy and mental stimulation when television and outside activities were impossible. Slowly, the home blossomed into a haven of life and happiness, enriched by her husband’s art. A mixed media artist, his work – welded metal and plaster sculptures, melted plastic canvases and custom plant-filled coffee tables – echoes her love of greenery. Their separate studio doubles as a guest house, office and home theatre, reflecting resilience, creativity and hope.
128 Fourth Avenue
This grand semi-detached home features 10-foot ceilings and a recently rebuilt two-storey porch with a stunning three-season sunroom painted a rich, gorgeous green. Inside, a first-floor powder room delights with pink floral wallpaper, panelling and classic black-and-white tile. The spacious main-floor living room is welcoming and comfortable, with an inviting window seat, fabulous chandelier and built-in shelves, mirrored by an equally generous second-floor family room above. Whimsical touches include a third-floor interior window offering a view down the staircase and up to a skylight, filling the space with natural light. Two sets of stairs – front and back – connect the main and second floors, adding charm and flow to this thoughtfully designed home.
231 Glebe Avenue
This stunning home has a wide front porch perfect for people-watching on lazy afternoons. Inside, the fabulous kitchen opens to the family room, an ideal hangout for the homeowners’ children and their friends. The second-floor outdoor space boasts a gas fireplace and seating for eight. On the third floor, the peaceful primary bedroom includes an upholstered built-in headboard. The expansive bathroom completes the suite with a huge tub perfect for unwinding. Reproductions of classic doors, handles and moulding throughout help retain the home’s wonderful character.
256 Second Avenue
This lovely home was recently renovated top-to-bottom with help from Bytown Designs. Art Deco influences appear throughout, starting with striking black-and-white geometric tiles that flow into other rooms. The open main floor features a dramatic living room with deep blue walls and matching floor-to-ceiling velvet curtains. The kitchen, free of upper cabinets, feels bright and modern and is uncluttered thanks to a well-equipped butler pantry. The family room’s huge, black-framed windows overlook the backyard. On the third floor, a serene primary bedroom retreat includes an ensuite with incredible blue and stone tiles flowing seamlessly from floor to shower, creating a spa-like atmosphere. Wallpapered accent walls and original art add personality throughout.
295 First Avenue
This home beautifully blends timeless character with modern living. Skilled craftspeople from Ottawa, Stittsville and Montreal lovingly restored period details, balancing old charm with fresh design. The welcoming entrance hall features vibrant colours and original woodwork on the fireplace. A charming powder room, added in 2021, showcases elegant wallpaper and an 80-year-old period sink relocated from upstairs. The staircase and stained glass on the first landing hint at its history, while the back opens to a bright, contemporary kitchen and dining area. With over 40 years of history, including time as a doctor’s office, this home is a bright, warm and truly unique piece of Glebe heritage.