This magnificent building at 55 Murray Street housed four hotels with their taverns, a common practice in the 19th century for the Lowertown buildings.
This building was built in 1872 by the 2nd Francophone Mayor of Ottawa, Eugene Martineau. It accommodated visiting loggers and trappers.
It was later renovated in 1979 following a major fire, typical of Georgian classicism with its proportions, symmetry, and cornerstones.
It is a three-story building, with a door in the middle for the passage of horse-drawn carriages.
The Martineau Hotel was finally designated a historic building by the City of Ottawa in 1978.
Today, you'll find one of Ottawa's best ice cream shops: Piccolo Grande Gelateria. In the summer, it is not uncommon to see a line of people, looking cheerful, waiting their turn to buy their famous ice cream.