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Interesting Tidbits from Ellwood House

A Few Facts About Ellwood House

From the origins of its name to the people and partnerships behind its creation, Ellwood House has a history filled with interesting connections to the Alta Vista community.

The Ellwood Name

The name of Ellwood House was taken from the two pioneer families of the area, Ellis and Wood, whose names combined to form the name of the first rail stop south of the Rideau River.

Award-Winning Design

Jim Colizza, architect of Ellwood House, won the 1989 Ottawa-Carleton Home Builders’ Association award for the design.

Serving Seniors

Since its opening in 1988, Ellwood House has provided safe and affordable housing for hundreds of seniors in our community.

Housing Demand

Hundreds of seniors are on the waiting lists for Ellwood House (the internal list for market rent and City of Ottawa lists for rent geared to income).

Four Years in the Making

The final planning and construction of Ellwood House took four years—from May 1985 to the official opening in July 1989.

Early Plans

During the 1970s and early 1980s, the unpaved parking lot that became Ellwood House was considered for housing for retired clergy.

A Familiar Parking Lot

As a teenager, John Chapman, our retired bishop, learned to drive in the St. Thomas parking lot that became the site of Ellwood House.

A Diocese First

Established in 1987, Ellwood House was the first seniors’ residence built on church property in the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa.

The Early Years

The vice-chair of the original Ellwood House planning committee wrote a booklet about the process. The Early Years is an interesting piece of St. Thomas history.

Property Management

Ellwood House’s part-time property managers are from Homestarts, a non-profit organization dedicated to the success of housing co-operatives in Ontario.