Ottawa revives plan for old U.S. embassy building
City launches consultations on future use of structure, including long-awaited gallery
OTTAWA— It occupies pride of place in the nation’s capital, a majestic building on Ottawa’s main street opposite Parliament Hill.
And the fact that the building at 100 Wellington St. that once housed the U.S. embassy has remained empty for almost two decades speaks volumes about the bureaucratic knots that critics say stall efforts to make Ottawa a grand capital.
But things are moving again to breathe new life into this historic site, perhaps by reviving abandoned plans to transform it into a national portrait gallery.
“If the parliamentary precinct were a Monopoly game, this would be Park Place. It has it all. It has an ideal location, it’s an architectural gem and it’s got a very special history,” Rob Wright, a senior official involved in the building’s revival, told journalists during a tour on Monday.
It’s where American diplomats once toiled, where portraits were supposed to hang — before the Conservatives killed plans for a gallery — and now Ottawa wants to hear from Canadians how the space should be used.
“This is a notable address that we are trying to turn into a special destination,” said Wright, assistant deputy minister, parliamentary precinct branch for Public Service and Procurement Canada.
The Beaux Arts building opened in 1931 as the U.S. embassy, directly across from Parliament Hill. It was designed by prominent U.S. architect Cass Gilbert, who had many notable designs in America, including the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington and New York City’s Woolworth building.
The embassy moved to a new location on Sussex Dr. and the building has sat empty since 1998, costing some $200,000 a year to heat and maintain.
The Liberal government under Jean Chrétien launched a project in 2001 to turn the space into the Portrait Gallery of Canada, but those plans were axed by Stephen Harper’s Conservatives in 2008.
A few years ago, Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson proposed turning the building into a Canadian-style Smithsonian, with memorabilia to highlight national achievements in everything from music to sports and science.
Inside, despite the empty rooms, the gaping holes that dot ceilings and walls from past construction work and the work lights that provide makeshift lighting, it’s hard not imagine the building’s former glory or future potential.
Before portrait gallery plans were scrapped, work had been done to remove asbestos and upgrade mechanical systems.
No matter what its future use, it’s envisaged the building will need a small addition, in part to house new elevators to improve accessibility.
Colleague Thierry Montpetit guided journalists around the elegant spaces, noting the exterior clad in Indiana limestone and inside, the Vermont marble and oak and pine panelling.
The most impressive space is on the second floor and the wood-panelled office once occupied by the U.S. ambassador. Expansive windows offer a grand view of the Parliament build- ings across the street.
“The view is extraordinary,” Montpetit said as the ceremonial changing of the guard played out on Parliament’s front lawn. The federal government will launch public consultations on Aug. 18 to hear what Canadians think should be done with the site. The government has its own ideas, which will be unveiled at a public workshop that day.
Wright refused to say whether a portrait gallery is still on the list. Nor would he discuss a timeline for the redevelopment.
“One step at a time at this moment,” he said.
It helps that the building has a champion at the cabinet table. Environment Minister Catherine McKenna, who represents the Ottawa Centre riding where it’s located, pledged during last year’s campaign to put the building to good use.
In a statement to the Star Monday, McKenna said she was “thrilled” that plans were moving ahead.