Canadian Tribute to Human Rights in the foreground, City Hall behind that.

A weird jumble of vaguely humanoid concrete pylons that looks like a parking garage under construction, or an unfinished highway overpass. The whole ensemble is prominently located on the lawn in front of (and blocking the view of) a beautiful 19th century Heritage Building which is now part of City Hall.

The current Ottawa City Hall (French: Hôtel de ville d'Ottawa) is the city hall of Ottawa. The downtown complex consists of two connected buildings: a modern wing located on Laurier Avenue and a 19th century heritage wing located on Elgin Street. Although City Hall has frontage on two major streets, the main entrance is on Laurier Avenue, and the municipal address is 110 Laurier Avenue West.

The Heritage Building is today part of Ottawa City Hall. It was originally built in 1874 as Ottawa Normal School and served as a teacher's college. The Gothic Revival building stands at Elgin Street and Lisgar and several extensions were added to the rear of the building.

Photo 959, June 2010