A major Crown corporation has started to hand out millions of dollars worth of architectural and engineering contracts in preparation for a major renovation project on Wellington Street.
Last month, the Bank of Canada’s board of directors formally gave approval to proceed with an overhaul of the organization’s 35-year-old head office, according to spokesperson Jeremy Harrison.
Many of the core building systems inside the facility, located between Kent and Bank streets, have reached the end of their lifespan and need to be replaced, Mr. Harrison said, highlighting wiring, plumbing, heating, ventilation and security systems as in need of updates.
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“The building also needs to be brought up to current building and fire safety codes to provide a safe and healthy work environment for staff,” he said in a statement e-mailed to OBJ.
Commercial real estate firm CBRE was previously hired to provide project management services for the project and was involved in issuing and evaluating the responses to a request for proposals that resulted in PCL Constructors Canada being hired as construction manager.
Mr. Harrison would not disclose the value of the contract with PCL, or the names of the other bidders.
Chicago-based architectural firm Perkins+Will Inc. – which opened an Ottawa office in 2008 – has received a contract related to the renovations valued at $13.4 million. Additionally, Montreal firm Bouthillette Parizeau, which has offices in Ottawa and Gatineau, has received a contract worth $4.05 million for mechanical and electrical engineering services.
Earlier this month, it was reported that the Bank of Canada had signed a lease to take 350,000 square feet of space inside the Plaza 234 office tower while the headquarters were being renovated.