Major-General George R Pearkes Building, Government office building in downtown Ottawa, Canada
The Major-General George R Pearkes Building consists of two towers in downtown Ottawa at 101 Colonel By Drive. It serves as the headquarters for the Department of National Defence and was designed by John C Parkin and associates.
The building was completed in 1974, originally planned for the Department of Transport but later repurposed as Defence Headquarters. This shift occurred when development plans for LeBreton Flats changed.
The building displays 1970s Brutalist architecture, a style favored for Canadian public institutions at that time. This bold geometric design continues to shape the appearance of the area today.
Visitors should expect security screening and should bring valid identification documents. The building has good connections to public transportation throughout the region.
During a renovation in the 1990s, modular office furnishings manufactured in Canadian prisons were installed throughout the building. This unusual project demonstrates how sustainable practices were implemented in public institutions.
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