If you’re researching renovators, this is where you need to start
By Anita Murray, All Things Home
The transformation of a Westboro home from a tight, inefficient layout to a roomy entertainer’s dream is just one of eight projects to see on an immersive virtual home tour of stunning renovations.
Borrowing from the popular house tour idea, the 2021 Reno Tour showcases fabulous renovations and additions from some of Ottawa’s top renovators, all of whom are members of RenoMark, a program where participating companies are pre-screened and must meet strict guidelines.
Usually a one-day, in-person event, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the tour to go virtual last year, with great success. Now, instead of a one-day blitz, the tour remains online and accessible for the next year, letting you visit from the comfort of your home as often as you want and when it’s convenient for you.
If you’re thinking of renovating, Reno Tour is a great place to start your research. Interactive 3D tours allow you to “walk through” each project, choosing exactly where you want to go, how close you want to zoom in and giving you context for the home’s layout.
In the Westboro project, that means you can explore the soaring living room and the greatly expanded kitchen with its roomy walk-in pantry. Upstairs there are three revamped bedrooms, including a cosy master retreat that boasts a double-sided fireplace between the bedroom and ensuite.
The project was done by a newcomer to the Ottawa renovation industry, Urbacity Design-Build, although its principals have been around for years.
“As a newly established company, we are thrilled that the Reno Tour has given us a platform to showcase our skills,” says Greg Simpson, Urbacity’s design manager.
Stops on the tour include descriptions of each of the eight projects, many augmented with details such as before-and-after photos, intro videos and other multimedia labels to enhance your tour.
This year’s projects feature whole-home renovations, additions, energy-efficiency upgrades, innovation, kitchens, bathrooms, a behind-the-walls tour and clever repurposing of existing features and finishes.
The tour, which is organized by the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association as a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa, is now live. There is no charge, but a donation to Habitat is encouraged. You can visit the homes at renotour.ca.
Take a look at the other homes on the tour:
1. Photo credit (above): Gordon King Photography
Project: Walkout basement transformation
Renovator: Amsted Design-Build
2. Photo credit (above): The Conscious Builder
Project: Century-home revival, a behind-the-walls look
Renovator: The Conscious Builder
3. Photo credit (above): ARTium / Just Basements
Project: Whole-home renovation, from a rental to a family home
Renovator: ARTium Design Build
4. Photo credit (above): Gordon King Photography
Project: “Treehouse” addition / whole-home renovation
Renovator: Amsted Design-Build
5. Photo credit (above): Gordon King Photography
Project: Transformed inside and out, whole-home renovation
Renovator: Lagois Design-Build-Renovate
6. Photo credit (above) : Point3D Commercial Imaging
Project: Kitchen makeover & thoughtful repurposing
Renovator: Carolyn Munro Design+Build
7. Photo credit (above): Kevin Belanger Photography
Project: Family-friendly remake, whole-home renovation
Renovator: RND Construction
Anita Murray is former Homes Editor of the Ottawa Citizen and co-founder of AllThingsHome.ca, Ottawa’s trusted resource for home buyers and homeowners.
