This article first appeared in the September issue of Ottawa Magazine. Sign up for a subscription or order back issues here.

The core is in the midst of a dramatic renewal as Ottawa transforms from big town to small city. 
Ottawa Magazine visits the people who are flourishing in revitalized downtown neighbourhoods

By SARAH BROWN

She hails from Kitchener; he’s from Montreal. Mary-Rose Brown and Matt Eason both got to know the city while studying at Carleton University in the early 2000s, living here until 2008 before leaving briefly while Mary-Rose pursued a postgraduate degree. “We already knew the city — and this neighbourhood — was great,” says Mary-Rose. “And when we returned to Ottawa in 2009, we noticed right away how many new businesses there were along Elgin Street.”

The couple were renting an apartment on nearby Cartier Street when they heard about Charlesfort Development’s plans to launch The Merit. They signed on in 2011 for the yet-to-be-built condo. “That gave us lots of time to save for the down payment,” jokes Matt. When The Merit was finally finished this past spring, Mary-Rose and Matt were among the first residents to move in.

Names: Mary-Rose Brown and Matt Eason

Occupations: Mary-Rose is a program manager for a philanthropic foundation; Matt is the city’s community liaison for the LRT project

Home: 700-square-foot condo in The Merit by Charlesfort Developments

Neighbourhood: Golden Triangle

Previous home: A three-storey apartment building on Cartier Street, just around the corner

Urban living quote: (more…)