Sir John Carling Building

The Sir John Carling Building was a modern administrative structure on the Central Experimental Farm featuring an 11-story main tower, a three-story shipping section, and a single-story cafeteria wing. The complex sat near Dow's Lake and brought together offices that had previously operated from 18 scattered locations across Ottawa.

The building opened in 1967 as the main headquarters for Canada's federal agriculture department and remained in operation for more than 40 years. It closed in 2009 and was demolished in 2014, transforming the site back into green space.

The building served as a hub for Canada's agricultural administration and brought together staff from across the city into one central location. This consolidation shaped how the nation's farming policies were developed and managed in the decades that followed.

The site is located on the Central Experimental Farm grounds, which are open to the public and easily accessible near Dow's Lake. Visitors can walk the area freely and explore the surrounding farm landscape and green spaces.

After demolition in 2014, the site was deliberately restored to its natural state with topsoil and newly planted trees as part of a larger greening effort. Only the old cafeteria building remains standing, serving as a quiet reminder of the complex that once stood there.

Location: Ottawa

Inception: 1967

Architects: Hart Massey

Floors above the ground: 11

GPS coordinates: 45.39417,-75.71083

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:45