Located on the corner of O’Connor and Laurier, the Empire Building is an elegantly detailed office block built in the mid 1950’s.

At only 6 storeys, and clad in stone, the building stands out in the downtown core against L’esplanade Laurier and the various surrounding concrete towers. Black metal ornamentation above the doors marks the building’s primary entrances, and contrasts with the beige stonework. The building features a deep red granite skirt.

Both facades of the building feature a visual “frame” that extends upward from the entryway and over the top floor. The result of this move adds a visual complexity and depth to an otherwise simple volume.

The entrances to the retail spaces offers an interesting play with the facade at grade, although tenants of these spaces seem to have gone in recent years, creating an empty feeling at the street around the building.

via the Ottawa Architects 150 initiative.