Skip to main content

More than just an office building, Ottawa's latest tower offers cultural gathering spaces

Open this photo in gallery:

Performance Court, the latest tower to open in downtown Ottawa, at 150 Elgin St., is more than just an office building. At the request of the city, the Morguard Corp. building provides a number of unique interior and exterior public spaces and includes some features that honour its location on traditional Algonquin land.Roy Grogan

1 of 7
Open this photo in gallery:

The main entrance nestles in a pocket park between two heritage buildings – the First Baptist Church, right, and the Grant House. The new 21-storey building steps down in height as it approaches Elgin Street; its atrium lobby cantilevers over the Grant House.amanda large +younes bounhar 201

2 of 7
Open this photo in gallery:

The Winter Garden, as the lobby atrium has been christened, is a public space designed for receptions, exhibits, shows, lectures and performances. The Canada Council for the Arts, a main tenant of Performance Court, will commission and program original digital art on the almost three-story-tall interactive touch screen.Roy Grogan

3 of 7
Open this photo in gallery:

The Winter Garden embraces the back of the Grant House. Award-winning local restaurateur Stephen Beckta plans to offer fine dining in the heritage house, which was built in 1875.Roy Grogan

4 of 7
Open this photo in gallery:

Leading from the Winter Garden is a 3,000-square-foot art gallery, which will display curated exhibitions of contemporary Canadian artwork from the Canada Council.Roy Grogan

5 of 7
Open this photo in gallery:

Designed by Montreal’s NEUF architect(e)s, the building brings a more diverse look and unique character to the city, says Peter Radke, manager of realty initiatives and development for the City of Ottawa.Roy Grogan

6 of 7
Open this photo in gallery:

On the seventh floor, a landscaped 6,000-square-foot public rooftop terrace gives panoramic views of the city and will be available for private events. Read the full story at the link below: Curtain opens on Performance Court

7 of 7

Interact with The Globe