Saxe Building

The Saxe Building is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values.

Historical Value:

The Saxe Building is associated with the commercial development of Sparks Street westward towards Bank Street in the early 20th century. The building was constructed as a speculative rental property by the Canada Life Assurance Company, the earliest Canadian-owned company of its type. Its offices were located on the ground floor while the upper storeys were rented to clients. Office building speculation was so rare at the time, that the construction represented a major innovation in corporate policy. The Saxe Building was also an early response to the government demand for high-rise office accommodation immediately south of Parliament Hill. The Canadian Legion owned the building from 1944 -1955.

Architectural Value:

Valued for its very good aesthetics, the Saxe Building is a seven-storey reinforced concrete structure and an early Ottawa example of a high-rise structure completed before the 1910 building by-law authorized this type. The English semi-glazed terracotta façade provides a sculptural effect over the plain structural system. The extensive glazing and arched upper storey windows are a decorative motif derived from the buildings of Louis Sullivan. Good craftsmanship is evidenced in the terracotta of the façade.

Environmental Value:

The Saxe Building maintains an ongoing relationship to its site and reinforces the character of its central business district setting in Ottawa. It is familiar to residents, to people working in the vicinity and pedestrians.