“The tall Bate Building is situated on the north side of Sparks Street in the core of Ottawa’s central business district. Built in 1859, the Bate building has undergone many changes resulting in the loss of architectural integrity. Apparently the oldest standing structure on Sparks Street, its 1904 addition may be the earliest example in Ottawa of an office building that exceeds five stories.

“This building is one of 19 buildings located on the north side of Sparks Street between Elgin and Bank streets, an area which has been, since the 1880s at least, the core of Ottawa’s central business district. Born in England, Henry and his brother Charles T. Bate arrived in Ottawa in 1854 and established what was soon to become the city’s largest retail grocery business, Bate and Company. The Bate building, which combined retail premises and residence and originally extended through to Wellington Street, stood as evidence of how a single enterprise, carefully managed, could form the basis of a considerable fortune and business empire.

“By the late nineteenth century the Bate family (now headed by Henry) owned the original grocery business and an extensive import operation. Like many successful entrepreneurs, the Bates left the day-to-day running of the business to junior family members while involving themselves in politics and community affairs. Henry Bate was appointed the first chairman of the Ottawa Improvement Commission upon its founding in 1898, and was knighted in 1910 for his civic and philanthropic activities.”

Information derived from the Canadian Register of Historic Places.

Credits and Sources:

Information derived from the Canadian Register of Historic Place