One block west of MTBA’s office sits a nineteenth century Victorian home, set neatly back from the street at the corner of Laurier Avenue E. and Kind Edward Avenue. Like many buildings in the area, its red brick composition, stone base, and painted wood detailing recall its late nineteenth century origins, while mature trees and plentiful shrubs frame the property in greenery. This home, known as the Dr. Robert Law House, has a long and significant history in the Sandy Hill Neighbourhood, and continues to play a meaningful role in the community today.
“The building is a landmark in the area and a gateway to the broader University of Ottawa campus.” – City of Ottawa Staff Report
History and Values
190 Laurier was originally constructed ca. 1886 for local businessman Alexander P. Bradley, who occupied the home until 1912. Its construction is associated with the establishment of prominent professionals in Sandy Hill in the late 19th century and its subsequent development as a wealthy residential neighbourhood. The home was designed in the Queen Anne Revival style, which was popular in Canada in the late 19th century and frequently used for homes for the wealthy upper middle class. Key features included a L-shaped layout, hip roof and dormers, and segmental arched windows and stringcourses throughout the front façade. A classically inspired portico, bay window, and decorative second storey balcony also served to distinguish it from its neighbours as an upper-class residence.
Dr. Robert Law
Most notably, one of the home’s owners was Dr. Robert Law, after whom the building is named. Dr. Law was Ottawa’s Medical Officer of Health between 1900-11 and 1914-19 and has been recognized for his contributions to public health infrastructure. He advocated for “sanitary infrastructure, vaccination against contagious diseases and resources for public health units.”[1] Furthermore, he helped end Ottawa’s early typhoid epidemics in 1917 and devise the City’s response to the Spanish influenza pandemic the following year. [2] All things we may be more apt to appreciate as we continue along our second year of the global pandemic.
Changing Uses/Current Role
Around 1966, the property was expropriated for planned road expansions that didn’t materialize. Soon after the property would be leased by the University of Ottawa, who purchased the property as additional office space. It is now used as the Development Office. Although the interiors have been altered over the years to suit changing functional needs, the historic exterior and form have remained relatively intact.
In addition to being under the protection of a Part V Heritage Designation under the Ontario Heritage Act as a part of the Sandy Hill Conservation District, a recommendation for an individual heritage designation under Part IV was recently approved in February 2022 and is currently in its finalization stages.[3] Meanwhile, the building is undergoing masonry repairs, with potential development to the east and south of the building amongst future plans (according to the uOttawa Master Plan). MTBA was fortunate to get to work closely with the Dr. Robert Law House in 2018, when our team was retained by the University of Ottawa to do a detailed assessment of the building and provide recommendations for its conservation and prolonged use over the next 25 years.
For 136 years and counting, 190 Laurier continues to play a valued role in the Sandy Hill community and we are proud to be a part of its continued legacy as a defining part of our neighbourhood.
Bibliography
- Bobby Eros. “Stately Victorian-era Sandy Hill home to be designated a heritage landmark.” Capital Current. https://capitalcurrent.ca/prominent-doctors-stately-home-in-sandy-hill-to-be-designated-a-heritage-landmark/. Accessed June 16, 2022.
- City of Ottawa. “The Dr. Robert Law House (190 Laurier Avenue East).” City Builders (May 2022).
- MTBA. 190 Laurier Avenue East Heritage Conservation Assessment. University of Ottawa. 2018. Urban Strategies Inc. uOttawa Campus Master Plan. University of Ottawa. November 2015. https://www.uottawa.ca/facilities/master-plan.
[1] City of Ottawa, “The Dr. Robert Law House (190 Laurier Avenue East)”, City Builders (May 2022).
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid.
