Designs unveiled of the Sir John A. Macdonald Heritage Building

News Release

For immediate release

OTTAWA, Ontario, October 10, 2013 — Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) today released the artist’s renderings illustrating the future look for the Sir John A. Macdonald Building Rehabilitation Project. The building, located at 144 Wellington Street, is being completely rehabilitated to permanently house the Confederation Room (Room 200), formerly in the West Block.

“The top priority of our Government is creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity,” said the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Public Works and Government Services. “Once the rehabilitation of the Sir John A. Macdonald Building is completed, it will not only bring new life to a significant heritage building in the heart of the city of Ottawa, but it will have generated approximately 600 private sector jobs for the duration of the project.”

The project consists of the complete rehabilitation of the existing building and the construction of an addition to provide a flexible, functional and sustainable meeting and ceremonial space for parliamentarians. The addition will increase the size of the building and will provide supplementary multi-purpose rooms and essential support functions.

The plans and designs for the rehabilitation and construction were completed by NORR Limited of Toronto, Ontario, in a way that respects the heritage character of the existing building, constructed between 1930 and 1932, at a prominent site on Wellington Street. Construction work is being carried out under the management of EllisDon Corporation, of Ottawa, Ontario. Both contracts were awarded based on a fair, transparent and competitive process.

During the rehabilitation, a historic stone carving from the building’s days as the former Bank of Montreal was uncovered. The carving has been transferred to the Canadian Museum of Civilization for future research and study purposes, and possible exhibitions and loans to other institutions.

PWGSC manages one of the largest and most diverse real estate portfolios in the country. The rehabilitation of this important heritage building is part of the Long Term Vision and Plan for the Parliamentary Precinct. Construction work for this project is on time and on budget and is scheduled to be completed in 2015.

Below are artist’s renderings of the Sir John A. Macdonald Building.