History
Legacy lights the way forward.
THE HERITAGE BUILDING
Over 150 years ago, the City Registry Office stood as a landmark of its time. A modest yet enduring structure, this building represents a classic example of Beaux-Arts architecture, emphasizing order, dignity, and harmony. The City Registry Office formed part of the 19th-century judicial precinct, which included the Carleton County Courthouse, Registry Office and Jail. The Registry’s purpose was to house all official records of the City — property deeds, lot surveys, mortgages and land instruments — while providing retrieval and transcription services to the public. Though its original purpose has long since evolved, the spirit of civic importance and public service remains etched in its walls, while its architectural legacy continues to inspire the next chapter.
Renaissance
Reawaken
Registry
The old registry office is a stunning example of a 19th century land registry office and is one of only four of its kind still remaining in Ontario.
Built to endure, designed to inspire.
Symmetry and order, classical details and sculptural ornamentation – both theatrical and formal – define Beaux-Arts architecture.
Experienced architects know a strong foundation is key to lasting vision. The old Registry Office had 12-foot-deep foundations, not just for stability, but to stop thieves from tunneling in to steal land records. Outside, salmon-gold bricks rise from a stone foundation to create a classical temple-like structure. Decorative features such as round-headed windows, arched doorways with rusticated quoins, and an elaborate shared chimney highlight the practical beauty of the Beaux-Arts. A curved name stone crowns the front façade, resting on a wide ledge with small flower-shaped vents, while a stepped cornice, metal trim, and turned-back roof edges enhance its timeless charm. Inside, three vaulted brick ceilings define the space. Solid iron doors, window bars, and shutters protected documents from fire, while heavy ledgers sat on rolling cases set in iron floor tracks.
circa
1873
Once an integral part of 19th-century Ottawa’s judicial district – now a gateway to a coveted lifestyle destination.
After the registry office moved in 1909, the building housed the Bytown and Ottawa Historical Museum (1926–1951), the Ottawa Tourist and Convention Centre (1954–1966), and later tenants including Youth Drop-In Centre, New Canadian Services, and the Federation of Citizens’ Associations. Recognizing its historic value, the City Registry Office was designated as a heritage property in 1978. After years of vacancy, Cadillac Fairview began restoring it in 2013 as part of the Rideau Centre Revitalization. Today, we bring this dream to fruition.
There is but one word that captures the essence of this development - transformative.
At the heart of the site’s transformation is the 1874 City Registry Office – expertly relocated 18 metres north and repurposed as a café bistro. A three storey glazed atrium connects its timeless stone façade to the modern tower, establishing the heritage structure as a striking centrepiece with the public realm. The redevelopment also introduces a welcoming pedestrian environment anchored by a landscaped plaza and vibrant café/bar. Residents will enjoy direct access to the CF Rideau Centre via an enclosed pedestrian walkway, blending lifestyle, connectivity, and convenience into one inspired address.
Enduring architecture proves timeless design, allowing heritage to find purpose in modern life.