The future of the Parliamentary Precinct.

 

The Union Bank, 128 Wellington and Victoria Building, 140 Wellington.

"It's unclear at this time if Wellington Street's Victoria Building, where a large number of Senators have offices, will be facing the wrecking ball or be significantly redeveloped with it's facade intact." ("Every building meets its time: Senators occupying Victoria Building mull future revamp of precinct." The Hill Times, April 23, 2020.) To see images of the Union Bank, utilize Streetview: Google: "128 Wellington Street Ottawa" then go to "Maps". Located next to the News, Shopping, All, etc. icons at the top of the page.

A 27-storey residential tower was constructed behind the Montgomery's Tavern National Historic Site of Canada. At one time 2384 Yonge Street Toronto was collectively owned by the citizens of Canada:

2384 Yonge Street.

The private owners removed the National Historic Sites and Monuments Board plaque. Once a federal building is privatized it loses all heritage designation and protection.

The northern half of the Sparks Street Mall is wholly owned by Public Works. The National Capital Commission was given millions of dollars to buy up the Mall properties on the southern half of the street. Now there are 14 different owners:

the reResidences high rise condominiums - Ashcroft Homes.

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Headquarters - Morguard.

Thomas D'Arcy McGee Building - 90 Sparks - Larco.

 I do not understand where all of this "Town and Crown" nonsense is coming from; and why the City of Ottawa is so engaged in the future of federal real estate. The municipal politician for the ward wants to see more condominiums in the district. 

House of Commons Debates   Ottawa   July 20, 1973.

Hon. Jean-Eudes Dube (Minister of Public Works) Liberal.

"...To properly house the expanding requirements of Parliament for generations ahead in ways that would both compliment and preserve the exisiting beauty of the Parliament Buildings we must enlarge the present Parliamentary grounds.'

"I wish therefore to announce Mr. Speaker, that I have today, on behalf of the government, filed a

notice of intent to expropriate the land and buildings in the area bounded by

Wellington Street, Elgin Street, Sparks Street and Bank Street.

The purpose of this expropriation is as I have indicated to protect the environment of Parliament from any development which could adversely affect it...The property of the United States Embassy has been excluded from this expropriation but discussions are well advanced for its acquisition...I want to assure everyone involved that on the Mall it will be business as usual."

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Blocks 1, 2 and 3 across from Parliament Hill are being extensively redeveloped. CBC News photo from a February 23, 2020 article.

Block 2 properties.

Victoria Building, 140 Wellington Street. Recognized Federal Heritage Building. Constructed 1927 to 1928, designed by J. Albert Ewart.

Union Bank, 128 Wellington Street, Recognized Federal Heritage Building. Constructed 1887 to 1888.

Former American Embassy, 100 Wellington Street. Classified Federal Heritage Building. Constructed 1932 to 1932.

90 Wellington/40 Metcalfe.

Valour Building, the former La Promenade, 151 Sparks Street. Constructed in 1972.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, 119 Sparks Street. Recognized Federal Heritage Building.

Bate Building, 109-111 Sparks Street. Recognized Federal Heritage Building. Constructed in 1859 and then 1904.

Birks Building, 107 Sparks Street. Recognized Federal Heritage Building. Constructed from 1910 to 1911.

Canada's Four Corners, 93 Sparks Street. Recognized Federal Heritage Building. Constructed from 1870 to 1871.

"Many of the buildings on this block have gone beyond or are reaching the end of their life cycle." (NCC CONSENT AGENDA - 2020-P221-Capital Interests for Block 2 Redevelopment (Design Competition). Tuesday October 6, 2020.)

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The Langevin Block on Wellington is a National Historic Site of Canada. A Senate Bill created in November 2019 prohibits the demolition or alteration of the Langevin Block, and the construction of new buildings within a 500-metre buffer zone.

House of Commons Debates   Ottawa  January 29, 1985.

MP Mike Cassidy (Ottawa Centre) New Democratic Party.

".....in the planning of the City of Ottawa, which came after the Greber report, and when the downtown was planned in the early 1960's, specific regard was had in trying to recognize the pre-eminence of the Peace Tower and the House of Commons...the height limits have the effect of creating a saucer, so that the Peace Tower remains the pre-eminent building in this part of the downtown core."

The Constitution Act of 1867.

"The buildings are only allowed to get higher as they get farther away from Wellington Street and the parliamentary precinct...it was clearly designed to take account of the fact that Parliament Hill is an important national symbol and should be given that pre-eminence."

House of Commons Debates  Ottawa  January 12, 1970.

Hon. Marcel Lambert (Edmonton West.)

"Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Minister of Public Works. I wonder of the minister could consult with his colleague the Minister of Regional Expansion, and make a statement in the House with regard to the applicability of height restrictions on federal government buildings in the neighbourhood of Parliament Hill."

Restrictions on building heights near Parliament Hill.

House of Commons Debates  Ottawa October 30, 1967.

Hon. G.J. McIlraith (Minister of Public Works) Liberal.

".....The government is very much concerned about this subject and is maintaining close liason with the various persons concerned in the municipal government with a view to maintaining limits of building heights such that the architectural significance of the Peace Tower and the Parliament Buildings generally will not be diminished."