top storey, Palladian windows in decorative pediments |
This is the Central Chambers, and it is a NHS for a number of good reasons. It stands in a remarkably intact grouping which are visible in a page from my 1920s Ottawa souvenir booklet.
I guess this Streetview capture would be a roughly comparable current view, the National Arts Centre having entered stage left in 1967. I've been trying to figure out what the structure on the right is in the old photo. I'm pretty confident it's the old Post Office (1876-1936) which was demolished to expand Confederation Square, and I think this photo which sadly, I cannot copy, proves the point.
And the site Ottawa Past and Present shows a building directly opposite, which I will track down and identify sometime.
The view at left is fascinating for me, showing the upper storeys, as during my Ottawa years I had only a street facade acquaintanceship. I do believe there was an Indian textile and fashion importer on the ground floor.
A 2005 plaque commemorates the "successful restoration of the Scottish Ontario Chambers, the Central Chambers and the Bell Block...with special note made of the "reconstruction of the distinctive corner tower and cornice."
Central Chambers |
Moorish maybe? |
vaguely Venetian |
Scottish Chambers, Bell Block (1867) to left |
The Scottish Ontario Chambers, constructed in 1883 by a land speculation company is/are distinguished by the high ground storey of stone housing (of all things) an Irish pub, and repeated arched windows highlighted with polychromatic brick on the upper floors. The heavy brackets supporting pediments at each corner and decorative cornice have been restored, the Mansard corner tower reinstated.
Scottish Chambers upstaged by wrapped Postal Station B |
Incidentally in my prowling about for answers to the mystery building photo in the 1920s souvenir guide above, I came across an interesting Ottawa blog, Urbsite. I'll capture the address here, so we may all revisit.