Renewal of Portage III

Learn about the renewal of Portage III.

Project overview

Project description

We are investing in key strategic assets, including Portage III, to provide federal public servants with workplaces that are:

modern
sustainable
healthy
safe
accessible
inclusive
collaborative

About Portage III

The Portage III complex is the largest of 4 buildings that constitute Place du Portage. It currently serves as Public Services and Procurement Canada’s (PSPC) headquarters, and also accommodates employees from Shared Services Canada.

The complex was built between 1973 and 1978. It consists of:

office spaces mostly located in the building’s towers
Commercial and retail areas
basement levels
an underground parking garage

Portage III renewal project

This project consists of a complete overhaul of both the inside and outside of the building. As part of the planned midlife renewal work, much-needed renovations are being completed to replace systems that have reached the end of their useful life.

The project includes:

replacing base building systems, such as:
- windows
- the building exterior (also known as the building envelope)
- plumbing
- electrical systems
- heating and cooling systems
modernizing the interior workplace
updating security systems
installing new information technology systems

Modernizing the workplace

The Portage III project considers Government of Canada priorities, including:

greening
Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA+) measures
universal accessibility
inclusivity, including Indigenous engagement; and
wellness

Enlarged image of the regional map of low-angle daytime view of the north side of the Portage III building.

The renewed Portage III building is being designed to meet the modern workplace standard for the Government of Canada, known as GCworkplace. GCworkplace offers greater flexibility in where and how people work. It will also enable PSPC to meet the needs of a hybrid workforce and to ensure that workplaces continue to be as flexible as possible.

Phases of project

The Portage III Asset and Workplace Renewal (AWR) Project is divided into two delivery phases.

Phase 1 (2018 to 2027) is currently underway. It will address the interior workplace refit of the western towers (C1, C2, D and B3), and base building systems throughout the complex.

Phase 2 (2025 to 2028) will address the interior workplace refit of the eastern towers (A1, A2, B1, B2 and E).

The occupancy by employees will be done progressively as the work progresses and towers become available. For example, towers C1 and C2 are currently unavailable due to construction work but are scheduled to welcome back employees again in summer 2025.

View enlarged image of an aerial shot of Portage III with colour-coding indicating the two phases in which the work will be carried out for the complex, description below.

Image description

An aerial shot of Portage III with colour-coding indicating the project phases for the complex:

The building’s western towers are in blue, and the image shows that the interior workplace fit-up of towers C1, C2, D, and B3 (on the right) will be done in phase 1.
The building’s eastern towers are in green and the image shows that the interior workplace fit-up of the towers A1, A2, B1, B2 and E (on the left) will be done in phase 2.

Project design

Portage III is a recognized federal heritage building. The design of the renewed building respects heritage considerations, particularly the renovation to the exterior building envelope. Portage III defining features have been considered in the new design such as the building’s exposed concrete look from the Late Modern style with Brutalist influences. The design integrates Indigenous inspired design elements that will enrich the building and pay homage to the human history of the site.

Interior renovations

Inside of the building, the project includes the following:

Modernizing the workplace

The modern activity-based workplace will promote a balance of individual work stations and collaborative points such as meeting rooms, while fostering flexibility, wellness and accessibility for users. It will include elements such as height-adjustable electric work surfaces and ergonomic furniture as well as modern Information Technology systems.

Renovating the complex

The renovated commercial level will include amenities for employees such as:

a multi-faith centre
a digital lounge
a fitness centre or wellness room

Making the complex more accessible and inclusive

The building will promote accessibility and inclusion, through features such as:

accessible entrances at the heart of the building, which will also reflect the principles of the Accessible Canada Act
fully accessible counters in kitchenettes and washrooms
designated collaborative workspaces equipped with assistive listening systems for those with a hearing impairment
power activated doors and tactile signage for people with visual and physical disabilities
accessible and gender-inclusive universal washrooms throughout the building

Making the complex more sustainable

The complex will be more environmentally sustainable by adding the following features:

LED lighting
low-flow plumbing fixtures
modern high efficiency heating, cooling and ventilation systems
highly efficient Building automatization system (BAS) to optimize energy consumption

Exterior renovations

Outside of the building, the project includes the following elements:

A new accessible entrance and upgrades to the Laurier entrance

A new accessible entrance at the northwest corner of the Laurier Street and Maisonneuve Boulevard intersection is being added providing access to Towers C1 and C2. Improvements to the building’s main entrance on Laurier are also planned.

Landscaping

Landscaping around the complex and between Portage III and Portage IV will improve mobility and allow for better integration into its immediate environment.

A new energy-efficient building envelope

A new energy-efficient building envelope is currently being installed, in addition to insulation in the walls and roofs. The glass on the external façade of the building consists of bird-friendly triple-pane windows. These features will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 24% compared to 2017 levels.

New exterior lighting

The exterior lighting will be upgraded as part of the project to be more energy efficient.

Key milestones

Planning and design activities for the Portage III AWR Project started in 2018 and were completed in 2023.
Construction activities started in early 2022 and will continue until completion.
The installation of the new curtain wall (the exterior façade, which includes the new windows, covers and protects the building) began in December 2023 on Tower C and continues on remaining towers.
The project is expected to be completed in 2028.

Benefits to Canadians

Over its lifespan, the project is expected to generate about 13,300 direct, indirect and induced person years of employment.

This includes:

direct jobs (for example, engineers, architects, interior designers and various trades in the construction sector that participate in the project)
indirect jobs (for example, production, manufacturing and transportation of materials such as windows, office furniture, and other equipment required for the project)
induced jobs (for example in restaurants where workers buy lunch)

Once renewed, the complex will integrate with its downtown surroundings. It will facilitate mobility, transit, and access to nearby businesses and municipal facilities.

Project background

Accommodate more workers

The Place du Portage complex was built in the 1970s. Due to the age of the building, its base-building elements need to be replaced.

Before modernizing, the Portage III complex accommodated 4,773 full-time employees from PSPC and Shared Services Canada. The Portage III AWR project will transform the complex to accommodate more than 6,000 employees on a daily basis and to meet the needs of a modern workplace.

Environmentally sustainable

Inspired by the Government of Canada’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we are leading by example by greening our own operations. Specifically, once renewed, the Portage III office complex will be net-zero carbon.

Photo gallery

All renderings below are conceptual and shared for the purpose of illustrating the intended concept only. Click on the image to view a larger version.