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Langevin Block




The Langevin Block is an imposing Office Building facing Parliament Hill in Ottawa , Canada . As the home of the Privy Council Office and Prime Minister's Office , it is the ''de facto'' Headquarters of the Executive Branch of the Canadian Government . Accordingly, the term "Langevin Block" is sometimes used as a Metonym for the Prime Minister's Office.

While the offices of senior Privy Council Office officials remain in Langevin Block, its use is now largely limited to the Prime Minister's Office, the prime minister's political advisors. The prime minister maintains an office in this building, in addition to his or her office in the Centre Block of the Parliament Buildings.

Completed in 1889 , the block was the first federal government office building constructed off of Parliament Hill. It occupies a prominent place on Ottawa's Wellington Street , adjacent to the National War Memorial , Chateau Laurier, Government Conference Centre, Rideau Canal, National Arts Centre and the landmark Sparks Street Mall . Originally named the Southwest Deparmental Building, its current name comes from Sir Hector-Louis Langevin , the Public Works Minister under Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald ,

The structure is distinctive in Ottawa for its Second Empire Style design, when most government buildings from the period were in Gothic Revival style. It was designed by Chief Dominion Architect Thomas Fuller , who also did the original Parliament Buildings.


REFERENCES

  • ''Exploring Ottawa: an architectural guide to the nation's capital.'' Harold Kalman and John Roaf. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1983.

  • ''Ottawa: a guide to heritage structures'' City of Ottawa, Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee; managing editor, Lucy Corbin. 2001