“The East and West Memorial Buildings were constructed in 1950-54 and 1954-58, respectively. The East Memorial Building originally housed the Department of Veterans Affairs, while the West Memorial Building housed various government departments, including the Department of Trade and Commerce. Public Works Canada is the custodian department.

“These buildings were erected as the federal government’s principal memorial to those killed during World War II. They were also major components in the comprehensive master plan developed for the capital by the internationally known planner and architect Jacques Gréber. As such, their construction marked the beginning of a new stage in Ottawa’s development as the capital of Canada. They also completed the transition of Wellington Street from mixed small-scale residential and commercial use to monumental buildings housing government functions.

“Beyond their status within an ambitious urban plan, the buildings are an architectural achievement in their own right. One of the best designs by the Toronto architectural firm of Allward and Gouinlock, they are an excellent example of Classical-Moderne design incorporating features developed in the 1930s and 1940s. The East Memorial Building houses three commemorative mural paintings by three noted Canadian artists: Charles Comfort, André-Charles Biéler, and George Pepper.

“The Memorial Buildings make a strong contribution to the character of both Wellington and Sparks Streets, effectively defining the western extremity of the downtown core. Together with the memorial colonnade that links the buildings over Lyon Street, they are a prominent Ottawa landmark. Their monumental permanence is appropriate to their memorial function and to the character of Wellington Street.”

Information derived from the Canadian Register of Historic Places.

Credits and Sources:

Information derived from the Canadian Register of Historic Place