Wellington Building unveiled after painstaking restoration
Take a photographic tour of Ottawa's Wellington Building, officially reopened Thursday after a years-long, multi-million-dollar renovation to serve as administrative offices of the House of Commons.
Take a photographic tour of Ottawa's newly restored Wellington Building
CBC News ·
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Take a photographic tour of Ottawa's Wellington Building, officially reopened Thursday after a years-long, multi-million-dollar renovation to serve as administrative offices of the House of Commons.
The massive rehabilitation project included the restoration of doors, windows, masonry and the building's copper roof. Inside, mechanical and electrical systems were replaced and interior details were painstakingly restored, including a dramatic ceiling mosaic inside the main entrance.
The mosaic, created by American muralist Barry Faulkner in 1927, features thousands of coloured glass tiles, and was considered one of the finest designs of its era. In keeping with the building's original purpose — head office of insurance company Metropolitan Life, which occupied the building from 1927 to 1976 — the mosaic's main themes are health, well-being and prosperity.
The scaffolding is finally gone from the Wellington Street facade. The exterior restoration included doors, windows and the main entrance canopy. (Simon Gardner/CBC)
The blue-carpeted lobby inside the Wellington Street door. (Simon Gardner/CBC)
A detail from the glittering, painstakingly-restored mosaic covering the ceiling of the Wellington Street lobby. The mosaic was created by American muralist Barry Faulkner and crafted by European artisans in 1927. (Simon Gardner/CBC)
A gleaming, white corridor on the building's second floor. (Simon Gardner/CBC)
One of the Wellington Building's several renovated committee rooms. (Simon Gardner/CBC)
A view across Wellington Street of the Confederation Building. (Simon Gardner/CBC)
This 'living wall,' located inside the Sparks Street entrance, produces oxygen, improving the building's air quality. (Simon Gardner/CBC)
In keeping with the building's former life as an insurance company's head office, the mosaic portrays scenes of comfort and prosperity. (Simon Gardner/CBC)
Detail of the restored mosaic inside the Wellington Street lobby. (Simon Gardner/CBC)
The Wellington Building's library.
Gleaming marble floors are a theme throughout the building, including this waiting area. (Simon Gardner/CBC)
The Wellington Building's main floor cafeteria features marble slabs reclaimed from one of the building's washrooms. (Simon Gardner/CBC)
Everything has been restored, down to the building's Wellington Street doors and plaque. (Simon Gardner/CBC)
The exterior restoration included doors, windows, masonry, the copper roof and the Wellington Street entrance canopy. (Simon Gardner/CBC)
