A rapid expansion of the University of Ottawa after 1965 and the erection of many buildings in the 1970s and 1980s led to the demolition of most of this built heritage. In fact, with the exception of houses on rue Séraphin-Marion which were carefully restored and those on avenue King Edward, the others were demolished one after the other. This building was erected around 1893 to house two families.

In 1983, the university administration bought it from Joseph and Kathleen Rached for $123,000.00. Subsequently, not only did the old building miraculously escape the peak of the demolition workers, but in 1995 it was given a second life with the opening of the Café Nostalgica. The friendly little cafe with unpretentious meals and reasonably priced alcohol is run by the Graduate Student Association of the University of Ottawa (GSAED).