HERITAGE OTTAWA
The federal government is transforming a significant heritage building into a "special destination" and wants your opinion on what that destination should be.
The former US Embassy Building located at 100 Wellington Street, directly across from Ottawa's Parliament Hill, was designed in the Beaux-Arts style by prominent American architect Cass Gilbert. The building was home to the US Embassy from 1932 until 1999 when the Embassy moved to its current location on Sussex Drive. Plans for a National Portrait Gallery in the building, approved by then-Prime Minister Jean Chretien, were well underway when the subsequent Conservative government cancelled the project in 2006.
The Government of Canada is now seeking the opinions of Canadians from coast to coast regarding how best to use this important heritage building.
Members of the public are invited to participate in the consultation process by attending an open forum information event this Thursday evening, August 18, at the Sir John A. MacDonald Building located nearby at 144 Wellington Street.
Renowned experts in urbanism and heritage conservation, Mr. Larry Beasley and Ms. Victoria Angel respectively, will speak to the history and future potential of this architectural gem. The evening will also include the presentation of a list of potential future uses for the building.
The event begins at 6:30 pm and runs until 8:30 pm. Doors open at 5:30 pm and attendees are asked to arrive at least 45 minutes before the event to allow extra time for security screening. Please note that Photo ID will be required.
The event will also be streamed live online via Facebook Live. Afterward, an online survey will be available until September 9.
If you're a Twitter user, visit Heritage Ottawa's Twitter account or tweet your ideas for how best to use the building by using hashtag #100Wellington.
For more information, click the PDF links below or visit the 100 Wellington Public Consultation page on the Government of Canada website.
Heritage Ottawa looks forward to the best possible adaptive reuse of this significant heritage structure.
We encourage you to attend the information event or watch it online, and to make your views known by filling out the online survey by September 9.
Have your say on the future of 100 Wellington!
