Wellington Street Bank of Montreal Branch
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The Wellington Street Bank of Montreal branch, located at 144 Wellington Street, corner of O'Connor, is a historical building located in Ottawa, Canada. Its façade indicates its former heritage as a Bank of Montreal branch location.
It is a prominent Canadian example of modern-classical architecture. Designed by E.I. Barott, it was built in 1930. It reflects the integration of modern styles and the Neoclassical architecture that had long been used to design Canadian banks. The Doric columns or the classical structure are flattened. Rather than classical figures the exterior of the building is carved with scenes depicting Canadian industry and architecture. As the building is on a slope the Sparks Street entrance is a storey below the Wellington Street one. This below grade section is made of granite, while the upper level is of limestone.
The Government of Canada ordered the Bank of Montreal to vacate the building before May 2005. It currently remains empty since the government has not yet determined a new long-term use for the building. The Bank of Montreal was the last commercial building on this downtown street, just in front of the Parliament buildings. Now all buildings on Wellington Street between Elgin Street and the Ottawa River Parkway are Federal Government property.
[edit] References
- "B of M being evicted from historic building", CBC News, 12 January 2005. Retrieved on 2006-12-02.
- Kalman, Harold D. A History of Canadian Architecture. Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1994.
