Macdonald Block Complex
Appearance
TheMacdonald Block Complexis a set of office buildings inToronto,Ontario, Canada, that houses 12 cabinet ministers, 15 Ontario government ministries (as of 2016) and the largest concentration of Ontario public servants.[1]Its address is 900 Bay Street, and is located just east ofQueen's Park.
Layout[edit]
The complex consists of four towers:
- The Ferguson Block:A 14-storey building that was completed in 1969, designed in theInternational Styleby Shore Tilbe Henschel Irwin Architects and Engineers (nowShore Tilbe Irwin + Partners). The building is named for formerPremierGeorge H. Ferguson,and is located at 77 Wellesley Street West.
- The Hearst Blockis home to Ontario's provincialMinistry of Energy,Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport,and Ministry of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure. The building is named for former PremierWilliam Howard Hearst.It is ten storeys high. Designed by same firm as the Ferguson Block.
- The Hepburn Blockis home to various ministries, including theMinistry of Community and Social Servicesand theMinistry of Health and Long-Term Care.The 14-storey building is named for former Ontario PremierMitchell Hepburn.Designed by same firm as the Ferguson Block in 1969.
- The Mowat Blockis 24 storeys high and is named after the third Premier of Ontario,Sir Oliver Mowat.Designed by same firm as the Ferguson Block in 1969.
- The Macdonald Blockis named after the first Premier of Ontario, SirJohn Sandfield Macdonald.It was completed in 1968 (along with the Hepburn Block), and is located at 900 Bay Street. This block is a podium that connects the four towers along the first two storeys of each and has a bridge to the first floor ofWhitney Blockfrom its second storey. It is designed by the same firm as the Ferguson Block.
History[edit]
The massive construction site for the MacDonald Block was the filming location forBuster Keaton's last film, "The Reporter", an industrial safety short that was released under the titleThe Scribe.
In July 2016, theGovernment of Ontarioannounced an eight-year reconstruction project of the entire complex.[1]
Nearby government buildings[edit]
Other government buildings nearby include: