O'Brien House reopens as Gatineau Park boutique hotel
The historic mansion overlooking Meech Lake, closed for years, has reopened with 11 guest rooms, weekend brunches, and event spaces.
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The O'Brien House, a nearly century-old mansion overlooking Meech Lake in Gatineau Park, officially reopened June 1 as a boutique hotel, restaurant, and event venue. The property had sat empty for years before its reopening under the management of Square Old Chelsea.
The National Capital Commission, which owns the property, leased it to Square Old Chelsea under a five-year agreement with renewal options extending until 2051. The company operates several tourism and hospitality businesses in the region, including the Chelsea Pub.
The mansion was built in 1930 for industrialist J. Ambrose O'Brien, a Renfrew-born businessman credited with helping found both the Montreal Canadiens and the National Hockey Association, the NHL's precursor. The NCC acquired the building in 1964, but it remained empty for decades before undergoing a nearly $4-million renovation completed in 2018. It operated briefly as a boutique hotel but closed in 2019.
The property now features 11 guest rooms, weekend gourmet brunches, afternoon tea service, and event spaces for weddings, retreats, and corporate gatherings. Room rates range from roughly $300 to $500 per night. CEO Manuela Teixeira said the NCC wanted an operator capable of creating a sustainable business while ensuring public access to the site.