Ottawa Parliament Center Block Renovation: Underground Welcome Center and Base Isolation Transform Historic Building

Ottawa’s Parliament Hill is undergoing a sweeping upgrade that reinforces the historic Center Block, adds an underground Welcome Center, and installs earthquake protection. The $5 billion project, led by Public Services and Procurement Canada, involves blasting a 23-meter-deep pit, constructing new basement levels beneath the building, and preserving more than 20,000 heritage assets. MPs and Senators have relocated to alternate premises as construction progresses toward a 2031 completion for the Center Block and a 2032 reopening. The work aims to create a secure, accessible front door to Parliament while safeguarding Canada’s iconic political landmark for future generations.

Introduction

Ottawa's Parliament Hill is undergoing its most ambitious modernization in history. The Center Block, the seat of Canada’s Parliament, is being fully renovated and structurally reinforced while a new underground Welcome Center is carved beneath its footprint.

Historical Context

Founded on a hill overlooking the Ottawa River, Parliament Hill houses the House of Commons and Senate chambers. The original 19th century Center Block burned in 1916, after which a taller Peace Tower and a renewed center block were completed in 1927. The building’s Gothic Revival style remains, but its aging concrete supports and lack of earthquake protection prompted a major upgrade.

Upgrade Overview

The $5 billion project, led by Public Services and Procurement Canada, includes full renovation and reinforcement of the Center Block, restoration of exterior stonework using lasers for cleaning, and safeguarding hundreds of heritage assets inside. A key feature is the underground Welcome Center that will serve as a secure entrance and connect the East and West blocks, with skylights flooding the main hall with natural light.

Excavation and Foundations

Half of the front lawn has been excavated into a 23-meter-deep pit. Blasting, rock removal, and disposal required around 40,000 truckloads of material. The excavation enables space for the new Welcome Center, which also necessitates new basement levels beneath a building that previously had none.

Structural Engineering and Safety

To protect the historic Center Block from seismic events, a base isolation system is being installed. The building will be separated from its foundation by more than 500 isolators and supported by around 800 piles, with temporary vertical supports during the transition. The base isolation approach is a first for a major government building of this scale and represents a landmark engineering feat.

Heritage and Public Access

Preservation teams are restoring over 20,000 heritage assets, including 50 rooms and 250 stained glass windows. The MPs and Senators have relocated to alternative premises, with the public set to access a newly designed center hall that integrates with the Peace Tower’s legacy.

Timeline and Impact

The project targets completion of the Center Block in 2031, with the Center Block fully reopening in 2032. When finished, Parliament Hill will offer a modern, accessible, and secure front door to Canada’s Parliament while preserving a historic symbol of the nation’s governance.