Embassy of Canada in Berlin | |
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Location | 10117 Berlin |
Address | Leipziger Platz 17 |
Ambassador | Peter M. Boehm |
Canada House (German: Kanada Haus[1]) is a diplomatic and office building in Berlin, and is the primary home of the embassy of Canada to Germany.
Unlike other western nations, Canada never had an embassy in Berlin when it was the capital from 1871 to 1945 (although there was a consulate). Canada's first embassy to West Germany was in Bonn, and Canada never had an embassy to East Germany.[2]
The site, Leipziger Platz, was once one of Europe's most elegant squares, but was damaged during the Second World War and destroyed in preparation for constructions of the Berlin Wall.[3]
The new ten-storey chancery was inaugurated in April 2005 by then Governor General Adrienne Clarkson. The chancery building is leased and has a mix of embassy offices in a secure zone, and private sector tenants in a public zone. About 100 Canada-based and locally employed personnel work at the embassy.
It was designed by Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg Architects with Gagnon Letellier Cyr architectes and Smith Carter Architects + Engineers. The design has been praised by the German press for its "openness", particularly the walkway which allows pedestrians to short-cut through the property on their way to the subway station. However, this is primarily the result of German regulations.[4]
Canada also maintains consulates in Munich, Düsseldorf, and Stuttgart with a combined staff of 18.
Additionally, the Ministère des Relations internationales du Québec maintains an office next to the Brandenburg Gate.
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