54 Park Road, Ottawa

54 Park Road is a transcendent experience. The curve of the stone drive slows you instinctively, guiding you past sweeping beds of hydrangea—dense, cloud-like, impossibly full—before the home fully reveals itself. Set within the coveted landscape of Rockcliffe Park, this 1912 Tudor Revival residence carries the quiet authority of its era—but what unfolds here is far rarer: a complete, design-driven reawakening, executed with intention, restraint, and exceptional craftsmanship. Recently featured in OUR HOMES magazine (Spring 2025), the home stands as a testament to thoughtful, award-winning design.

On first look, the façade—stone detailing topped with cedar shingles—is softened by curated plantings that blur the line between architecture and garden. Urns spill over with seasonal colour. Layered greenery rises and falls in rhythm. The front door is custom, weighty, inset with stained glass crafted by an artisan whose work can be found at Parliament.

Light moves differently here. Filtered through restored original wavy glass, softened and refracted. It catches on Robert Abbey Bling chandeliers, scattered throughout like quiet jewellery, casting a glow that shifts effortlessly from day to evening. A jewel box powder room next to the front entry sets a playful tone.

To the right, the living room anchors the home. The central fireplace rises with presence, drawing the room inward and creating intimacy within generous scale. Just beyond, a reading room offers a softer counterpoint, light-filled, hushed, and deeply inviting. The formal dining room carries that same composed grandeur, perfectly suited to long, candlelit evenings.

And then, the kitchen.

Custom-designed and executed by Laurysen, it unfolds in a refined composition of stone, glass, and soft metallic finishes that catch and reflect the light. Cabinetry is seamless, concealing thoughtful details—including hidden island storage—while the space opens effortlessly into a breathtaking breakfast area. Skylights above and expansive windows frame long, shifting views of the gardens, drawing the outdoors fully into daily life—a place to sit still and gaze beyond.

The grounds are another matter entirely. Designed in collaboration with award-winning professionals and recognized with a 2024 provincial Award of Excellence for hardscaping, the landscape unfolds in layers. Curved stone pathways guide you through sculpted plantings and quiet moments: a fountain, a tucked-away bench, a statue half-hidden among blooms.

Hydrangeas anchor the space in waves—limelight, lacecap, strawberry and cream—shifting in tone with the seasons. Peonies rise in lush bursts, their scent lingering in the warm air. Roses weave through the garden, while lilies and perennial geraniums add flashes of colour below. A Victorian greenhouse structure, softened by climbing plants, reads like a romantic relic. The stonework—crafted by a stonemason whose work extends to Parliament—grounds it all with permanence. Structured yet soft, the garden feels alive and constantly evolving.

At dusk, integrated lighting transforms everything. Pathways glow. Trees are illuminated from below. The effect is intimate, atmospheric, and quietly spectacular.

Re-enter through a transitional space that falls somewhere between delicate solarium and practical mudroom, where original exterior stone has been intentionally left exposed—a tactile reminder of the home's past woven into daily life. Beside it, an extended, fully finished and insulated two-car garage offers rare functionality.

Upstairs, the primary suite evokes memories of a grand mountain retreat or a storied hotel stay. An impressive mantle anchors the room with quiet gravitas, while original wavy glass windows filter the light into something gentle and atmospheric. The dressing spaces unfold in layers— custom California Closet design, a central island, and a second, equally expansive walk-in just beyond. The ensuite is indulgent without excess: dual Carrara marble vanities, a deep soaking tub beneath a chandelier, and a glass shower illuminated from within.

This level also offers a stunning secondary bedroom and a remarkable office wrapped in windows—light-filled and tranquil, almost suspended among the trees.

The third level introduces a sense of creativity and possibility: a charming bedroom beneath the eaves, a beautifully finished bath, and a luminous studio space under skylights—flexible, inspiring, and quietly magical.

Below, the lower level has been fully reimagined by CPI—excavated, expanded, and designed with intention. A generous family room, custom bar, full marble bath, and a bright bedroom with large windows create a space that feels as considered as the levels above. Mechanical systems—double HVAC and a full-house Generac generator—ensure seamless comfort year-round.

Throughout, there is a rare clarity of vision. Every decision—architectural, material, and environmental—has been made with utmost care.