7-9-11 Electric Street

     Timberville.ca, who claim responsibility for this row at the corner of New Edinburgh's Crichton and Electric Streets, describe themselves as offering...

[A]rchitecturally designed, high-quality homes evolved from the classic modernist traditions. Our stunning designs and meticulous finishings ensure consistently spectacular results! Specializing in project management for custom builds and renovations, we take the building experience to the next level. Our current & past projects showcase our beautiful designs in some of Ottawa's finest communities.

     While I'm sure some of the neighbors grumbled when they saw this one going up, they could have been stuck with much worse. Height and setback are well-managed, the exterior reminds us of Sussex Avenue's historic limestone homes (or does a decent job trying) and the graceful upthrust of the columns add the right amount of "classic" to an otherwise modernist design.
     Timberville's website doesn't have much to say about 7-9-11, satisfied to offer a little slideshow and that's about it. This building went up some time after 2011 and demonstrates how modern architecture can (and sometimes does) make effective use of a small lot.
     Younger Ottawans may not realize that as late as the 1970s, parts of the south end of New Edinburgh, especially in the block bounded by Crichton, Electric, MacKay and Beechwood looked a lot like the rougher parts of Lower Town back in the day. If this is progress, I have no great objection.
     This lot was previously the site of 296 Crichton, an old (probably original to the site) flat roofed, red-brick house. A side lawn faced onto Electric. Goad's 1912 reprint shows a two-storey house, built of wood with brick veneer. Some time prior to its demolition, it acquired a boxy-looking front-porch/sun-room addition.
     Note that Crichton appears as "Creighton" in some older documents.