OTTAWA—The former Bank of Montreal building at 144 Wellington Street in Ottawa is now the new home for parliamentary meetings and functions as the Sir John A. Macdonald Building across from Parliament Hill was recently unveiled.
The 1930s art deco/beaux arts heritage building was part of a project that involved the complete rehabilitation of the former building and the construction of a new two-storey, 3,100 square-metre annex, states a release from Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC).
While the new addition provides space for functions and ceremonies, it also consists of a secure entrance, a loading dock, mechanical rooms and food services to support the various events.
According to PWGSC, the total cost of the rehabilitation is $99.5 million. The construction contract that was awarded to the EllisDon Corporation is valued at $66 million and was part of the $99.5 million. NORR Limited of Toronto designed and planned the project.
The rehabilitation of the Sir John A. Macdonald Building was completed on time and on budget, a release reads. Construction started in 2012 and the building is slated to be handed over to the House of Commons at the end of June.
The scope of the project included a full heritage restoration of the building; structural and seismic upgrades; interior refurbishment; the replacement of the mechanical, electrical, plumbing and life safety systems; and the construction of an annex. The addition was built in what was previously the adjacent courtyard and parking lot.
The annex features a "contemporary glass and limestone exterior" which blends with the original building and respects the nearby historical buildings, the release continues. Marble from the tellers’ counters was re-used inside the building in meeting rooms and on benches. Heritage stones from the building were re-used in the rehabilitation of the exterior as well.
The Sir John A. Macdonald Building was rehabilitated with the environment in mind, the PWGSC explains, as it includes a green roof; energy-efficient LED lights with sensors that turn off the lights when no one is in the office; water-conserving features, such as new faucets and low-flush toilets; automated building control systems for ventilation, heating and cooling; and limestone and other materials were reused to repair the masonry and refurbish the interior.
As a result of these measures, the project earned a Green Globes eco-rating, PWGSC states.
"Our Government is committed to ensuring the preservation of our historic buildings," Minister of PWGSC Diane Finley said in a statement. "The project to rehabilitate the Sir John A. Macdonald Building was not only delivered on time and on budget, but also created or sustained 600 private-sector jobs while bringing new life to one of the architectural landmarks of our nation’s capital."
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