144 Wellington Street

The building located at 144 Wellington Street (the former Bank of Montreal) was built in the early 1930s. It has been a wonderful fixture in Ottawa for decades. The creamy white colour of its limestone and its gigantic pillars seem to transport us back in time. The building’s architecture is a significant example of Modern Classicism that combines sophisticated Art Deco styling with traditional Beaux-Arts planning. Upon completion in 1932, Montreal Architect Ernest Barrott won the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada’s Gold Medal for the building’s design.

The construction of the building was very much a Canadian effort. The limestone carvings that grace the panels above the exterior doors and windows highlight aspects of Canadian industry and commerce, while the interior decorations incorporate images of Canadian wildlife and nature throughout. Despite the impact of the Great Depression, the Bank of Montreal saw this building through to completion, reinforcing the bank’s image of stability and reliability, in addition to recognizing its role as the former Dominion Banker prior to the creation of the Bank of Canada.

The property came under the ownership of the Government of Canada through an expropriation of properties south of Parliament Hill in the early 1970’s. The Bank of Montreal maintained occupancy until 2005.

An Integral part of the Parliamentary Precinct’s Long Term Vision & Plan

The building sits on a prominent site opposite the West Block, with entrances on Wellington and Sparks Streets and a third frontage on O’Connor Street. Due to its heritage value and strategic location, the former bank building will be rehabilitated as the new permanent home of West Block’s ceremonial room (known as Confederation Room 200), which is used for parliamentary business and reception functions. This project will be done as part of the Long Term Vision & Plan to renew buildings on Parliament Hill.

Renovating the Building

Recent inspections and reports indicate that the required work will include masonry repair, window refurbishment, seismic reinforcement, as well as life safety and accessibility upgrades. Interior renovations will also include new mechanical, electrical, lighting, and IT/multimedia systems. An addition is planned to support the modern functional requirements for large parliamentary meetings and ceremonies. Building investigations and design of the new facility are now underway and construction is expected to begin in early 2012.