C.D. Howe Building

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C.D. Howe Building is an office tower with a shopping mall in downtown Ottawa, at Bank Street and Sparks Street. It is 11 stories tall above ground, with three levels of retail below street level and a parking garage.

Completed and opened in 1978, it was built by Olympia and York. The Government of Canada owns the building today and once leased the land to the developer under a long-term deal that ran until 2012.

The building houses federal offices such as Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada and the Office of the Auditor General, along with other tenants. The site previously hosted The Embassy Restaurant (1953–1974).

Named after C. D. Howe, a prominent federal minister, the building also contains the 240 Sparks shopping mall on its lower levels, with about 50 stores ( Holt Renfrew was there until 2015).

Inside, there is a large central atrium with two-storey elevator banks and a big waterfall, plus lots of greenery. The rooftop is largely landscaped to save energy and support biodiversity, with over 30% of the roof planted and another 30% using green roof technology.

C.D. Howe Building was recognized with the BOMA Government Office Building of the Year – Canada award for 1997/98.