Early Infill: 404 Elgin, the Holbrook

     According to Kalman & Roaf, (Exploring Ottawa, 1983) the Holbrook dates to 1915 and was designed by the prolific local architect Warner Edgar Noffke. In this case, his clients were Charles and James Holbrook, contractors — the building, one assumes, was conceived as an income property.
     The Might Directories reveal the Holbrook to be an early 20th century example of developer-driven infill. The 1915 directory, reflecting conditions of the previous twelve months, lists 404 and 406 as two detached dwellings, both vacant pending their demolition (and both, it appears, original to the site).  They were very much in the style and size of the adjacent #408, still standing (see Chris Ryan.)
     The following year Might would list the Holbrook at the same address, uniting the two lots and boasting 18 units, all occupied. Dividing this number of apartments by the two original households yields a densification factor of 9x for the property.