Parliament Hill Rehabilitation Project

[YOWetal]

Originally Posted by DTcrawler

That'd simply be kicking the can down the road. From what I understand many of the systems being overhauled are from the original construction 100+ years ago. I know you didn't suggest demolishing it but look at the state of 24 Sussex as an example of what happens when administration after administration turn a blind eye and let things deteriorate.

The timing is unfortunate as far as the current economic climate and political discourse around public spending while families are struggling, but I'd imagine these plans were drafted well before any of this came to light.

There is never a good time to waste taxpayer dollars. There are literally tens of thousands of 100+ year old similar structures around the world. Probably dozens of parliaments of similar ages. In a city like Budapest there are probably a hundred buildings of similar age and historic nature. There are of course cheaper ways to restore buildings. Perhaps less authentic and certainly that don't all for a US style security all underground in a giant pit but let's not pretend that is really neccessary. We won't be able to bring huge number of tourists through parliament anyway.

[Uhuniau]

Originally Posted by YOWetal

Perhaps less authentic and certainly that don't all for a US style security all underground in a giant pit but let's not pretend that is really neccessary. We won't be able to bring huge number of tourists through parliament anyway.

The number of visitors to the Centre Block of the Canadian Parliament, and the number of visitors to the United States Capitol, are... quite similar.

[DTcrawler]

Originally Posted by YOWetal

There is never a good time to waste taxpayer dollars. There are literally tens of thousands of 100+ year old similar structures around the world. Probably dozens of parliaments of similar ages. In a city like Budapest there are probably a hundred buildings of similar age and historic nature. There are of course cheaper ways to restore buildings. Perhaps less authentic and certainly that don't all for a US style security all underground in a giant pit but let's not pretend that is really neccessary. We won't be able to bring huge number of tourists through parliament anyway.

I just don’t think value engineering a facelift of a national icon is a wise decision. I understand there’s vitriol towards institutions like Parliament Hill after events like the Convoy and Jan 6th, but let’s wait until the next government takes office and re-assess how we feel about it. And I don’t understand the last line - do you mean because of security constraints or because of an inability to attract tourists? Because the former would be addressed by the screening capacity upgrades and you’d know the latter is just plain untrue if you’ve ever visited.

[YOWetal]

Originally Posted by DTcrawler

I just don’t think value engineering a facelift of a national icon is a wise decision. I understand there’s vitriol towards institutions like Parliament Hill after events like the Convoy and Jan 6th, but let’s wait until the next government takes office and re-assess how we feel about it. And I don’t understand the last line - do you mean because of security constraints or because of an inability to attract tourists? Because the former would be addressed by the screening capacity upgrades and you’d know the latter is just plain untrue if you’ve ever visited.

We shouldn't replace it with stucco for sure. I think you make a point the renovation can help the instituion but I just don't know if that is true.

Security constraints, timing etc always mean you get 100 parliament hill tourists for every one that goes in. Like a lot of famous churches the best view is the outside. 10 years of no view no Canada day cost more tourists a parliament hill experience than will ever enter parliament through the new mechanism.

[Kitchissippi]

None of the buildings on Parliament Hill had air conditioning which is why they had courtyards for ventilation. Before the reno they were still using window units in some rooms. There's no way you can do this update cheaply, these buildings just need to be brought into the 21st century. I can just imagine the mess of wiring and plumbing from a century ago.

We are technically getting a brand new museum built underground, not just a visitors centre. It will include exhibits on how the government and political system works in Canada. Just looking at the current level of awareness, there are a lot of Canadians that need to be better educated on this subject.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by harls

Just ask the people of Winnipeg if they'd like their old city hall back today.

Would you like your old City Hall back?

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by Uhuniau

And the White House is pretty well entirely pastiche; let alone what happened during the War of 1812, the place was gutted to the studs and then some, and rebuilt inside out, in recent history. Centre Block is (was) more historic from a purely physical existence standpoint than the White House.

Yes sir. This is what it looked like during part of Truman's time in office.





There's a whole Wikipedia article on it:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_House_Reconstruction

[Kitchissippi]

Documentary series:

• Video Link

[J.OT13]

Saved to my Watch Laters.

[OTownandDown]

Interestingly, this is not unlike what the interior of Centre Block looks like currently...

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Yes sir. This is what it looked like during part of Truman's time in office.





There's a whole Wikipedia article on it:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_House_Reconstruction

[cpa4s]

Originally Posted by Kitchissippi

Documentary series:

• Video Link

Episode 2 has also been released

[rocketphish]

Centre Block 2.0: A peek inside the massive renovation of a national landmark
The project aims to restore the building to the grandeur envisioned by its chief architect, John Pearson, more than a century ago.

Blair Crawford, Ottawa Citizen
Published Nov 15, 2024 • Last updated 5 hours ago • 6 minute read



For more than five years, construction hoarding and steel fences have kept the public away from Parliament’s Centre Block as it undergoes a massive decade-long renovation. The project, budgeted to cost between $4.5 billion and $5 billion, will bring the building into the modern age, making it fully accessible and equipped with the latest technology while also meeting modern building codes.

But modernizing doesn’t mean forgetting the past, and the project aims to restore the building to the grandeur envisioned by its chief architect, John Pearson, more than a century ago.

This week, Public Service and Procurement Canada took the media on a tour of the Centre Block work.

Demolition is complete and all hazardous material such as asbestos has been removed, said Siavash Mohajer, a senior director of the rehabilitation program.

“We are now in the phase of rebuilding.”

<more, and many photos>

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/centre-block-peek-renovation-national-landmark

[Richard Eade]

Modern LED lighting should be able to do wonders to enhance things far beyond the original look.

[urbanforest]

Originally Posted by rocketphish

Centre Block 2.0: A peek inside the massive renovation of a national landmark
The project aims to restore the building to the grandeur envisioned by its chief architect, John Pearson, more than a century ago.

Blair Crawford, Ottawa Citizen
Published Nov 15, 2024 • Last updated 5 hours ago • 6 minute read



For more than five years, construction hoarding and steel fences have kept the public away from Parliament’s Centre Block as it undergoes a massive decade-long renovation. The project, budgeted to cost between $4.5 billion and $5 billion, will bring the building into the modern age, making it fully accessible and equipped with the latest technology while also meeting modern building codes.

But modernizing doesn’t mean forgetting the past, and the project aims to restore the building to the grandeur envisioned by its chief architect, John Pearson, more than a century ago.

This week, Public Service and Procurement Canada took the media on a tour of the Centre Block work.

Demolition is complete and all hazardous material such as asbestos has been removed, said Siavash Mohajer, a senior director of the rehabilitation program.

“We are now in the phase of rebuilding.”

<more, and many photos>

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/centre-block-peek-renovation-national-landmark

I spy the base for the new crane. Been wondering when it would pop up.

[AuxTown]

This is a painfully slow project. It's one of those projects that happen at a timescale that is frustrating as a human. There will be workers (masons etc.) who start and end their careers at Parliament.

Looking forward to seeing the finished project....hopefully before I die!

[Uhuniau]

Originally Posted by AuxTown

This is a painfully slow project. It's one of those projects that happen at a timescale that is frustrating as a human. There will be workers (masons etc.) who start and end their careers at Parliament.

That's kind of by design, though. There was a shortage of this skilled trade in Canada, we couldn't compete for the international labour market (i.e., Europe, which is in the middle of its own restoration boom), so we went and created one.

Between the Parliament Hill project and a number of others involving similar trades (esp. the masons), they should have a good career in the trade, and hopefully we don't have to renovate like this again any time soon.

[OTownandDown]

She says demolition is complete, and they're into rebuilding. But what about the mining project beneath the building? I expect the holes underneath the west and east wings will eventually extend into the bathtub in front of the building?

[Uhuniau]

Originally Posted by OTownandDown

She says demolition is complete, and they're into rebuilding. But what about the mining project beneath the building? I expect the holes underneath the west and east wings will eventually extend into the bathtub in front of the building?

The Hill Times article goes into that, if you have access.

[SweazyCavalry]

Originally Posted by OTownandDown

She says demolition is complete, and they're into rebuilding. But what about the mining project beneath the building? I expect the holes underneath the west and east wings will eventually extend into the bathtub in front of the building?

I will now also call that area of Parliament the "Bathtub"

[OTownandDown]

Originally Posted by SweazyCavalry

I will now also call that area of Parliament the "Bathtub"

Oops, yeah my friends have been referring to it as the bathtub since the beginning. A long running Canadian reference including Rita McNeil