The National Arts Centre is getting a major facelift.
In fact, it’s getting a brand new face!
John Baird, the federal minister who oversees the national capital, today announced a $110-million renovation project for the 45-year-old building. The major thrust of the project involves the construction of a brand new entrance facing onto Elgin Street, featuring a hexagonal tower of glass and steel.
There will also be a number of internal changes to the building. One change that might interest patrons – more washrooms!
"The renewed building will include improved performance spaces, new public areas for education and for events and full accessibility for people with mobility challenges. The real highlight will be the centre's stunning new entrance with the NAC embracing the beauty of our entire downtown core," says Baird.
The current front entrance is on the other side of the building, facing the Rideau Canal. The original architects designed it that way based on assumptions of how downtown Ottawa would develop – assumptions that proved to not pan out, leaving the building with its back seemingly turned to the rest of downtown. “I think it will transform the relationship between the National Arts Centre and the National Capital,” says NAC CEO Peter Herrndorf.
Herrndorf says construction will start early in the new year with the hope that most of the work will be completed by Canada’s 150th birthday on Canada Day, 2017.
