Lester B. Pearson Building, Federal heritage building in Lower Town, Ottawa, Canada
The Lester B. Pearson Building is a complex of four interconnected towers of varying heights located at 125 Sussex Drive in downtown Ottawa. The towers rise from four to ten stories and together form a large administrative center.
Queen Elizabeth II inaugurated this government complex on August 1, 1973, naming it after Lester B. Pearson, the fourteenth Prime Minister. Pearson was a noted diplomat and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, reflecting the site's connection to Canada's international work.
The building stands on traditional Algonquin Anishinaabeg territory and houses Global Affairs Canada, which directs the country's diplomatic work from this location. Its role shapes how Canada engages with the world.
The building underwent a major renovation that began in 2019 and continues to modernize office spaces while improving accessibility throughout the complex. Expect some areas to have limited access during the ongoing work.
The architecture blends Late Modern with Brutalism through dark materials and strong horizontal lines that project stability and authority. This design vocabulary was intentionally chosen to visually express the power of governmental institutions.
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