Major-General George R Pearkes Building, Government office building in downtown Ottawa, Canada
The Major-General George R Pearkes Building is a two-tower government complex at 101 Colonel By Drive in downtown Ottawa. It serves as the headquarters of Canada's Department of National Defence and was designed by architect John C Parkin.
The complex was completed in 1974 and was originally planned to house the Department of Transport before being reassigned to National Defence. This change came as a direct result of shifting development plans for the nearby LeBreton Flats area.
The building is a clear example of 1970s Brutalist architecture, a style once favored for Canadian government buildings. Its raw concrete surfaces and geometric shapes are visible from the street and give this part of Ottawa a distinct character.
Access to the building is restricted to authorized personnel, so visitors should expect security checks and must carry valid photo identification. The site sits along Colonel By Drive and is easy to reach on foot from downtown Ottawa.
During a renovation in the 1990s, the building was fitted with modular office furniture manufactured inside Canadian prisons. This unusual procurement project showed how public institutions could integrate prison labor into their supply chains.
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