My understanding is the OPS is very short on office space and leases are up soon at various locations. They are looking for long-term solutions. Archivist, how do you get from 880 to Queen's Park? I work in that area and would love a quick route to the QP stn

OPS is in serious need of more space. I worked for the policy unit in the Ministry of Tourism this past summer and they're in LuCliff Place sharing a floor with a unit in the Ministry of Culture. Incredibly cramped. These two ministries in particular are scattered throughout different buildings. Obviously, they aren't large ministries, but they've been probably the two most impacted by the lack of office space.
 
I didn't know there were ministries in LuCliff Place.

The OPS seems to be taking over most of 777 Bay and I keep hearing about new space being rented out in other buildings. Pretty much every building on University seems to have some OPS space, for instance. There must be some value in consolidating offices closer to Queen's Park in a large(ish) tower.
 
OPS?

Ontario Photographic Solutions?
Ontario Philatelic Services?
Ontario Pornography Shops?
Ontario Police Stooges?
Ontario Publishing System?
Ontario Psychedelia Society?
Ontario Pen Shifters?
Ontario Parrot Sanctuary?
Ontario Pleasure Seekers?
Ontario Proud Sybarites?
Ontario Produce Synthesizers?
Ontario Pollution Squad?
Ontario Particle Scientists?
Ontario Public Slavetraders?
Ontario Pork Specialists?
Ontario Pamphlet Suppliers?
Ontario Philosophy Students?
Ontario Porphyria Sufferers?
Ontario Poodle Sitters?
Ontario Press Sorority?
Ontario Poor Spellers?
Ontario Psychics & Sorcerers?
Ontario Polish Sausageaters?
Ontario Plutocracy Set?

Did I get the 'Ontario' right?

42
 
I didn't know there were ministries in LuCliff Place.

The OPS seems to be taking over most of 777 Bay and I keep hearing about new space being rented out in other buildings. Pretty much every building on University seems to have some OPS space, for instance. There must be some value in consolidating offices closer to Queen's Park in a large(ish) tower.


Consolidation of space is the medium-range plan - the tower could be fairly substantial in height.
 
Ehh, that seemed too easy, mine were better.

42
 
While they're at it, perhaps they could also rebuild the pink palace at 720 Bay, perhaps the ugliest office building downtown.
 
While they're at it, perhaps they could also rebuild the pink palace at 720 Bay, perhaps the ugliest office building downtown.

I'm strangely indifferent to it. Maybe because such pink palaces were a dime a dozen back in the 80s; so why this one merits such singling out is a puzzle...
 
720 Bay looks like a federal building that would have been built in Ottawa in 1988. It has that "I'm a slightly gussied up cube" look and the materials are ok, but it couldn't possibly have been more boring. I guess the colour was what was supposed to be bold. It would have been more interesting if it was more PoMo; restrained/cheapo PoMo never worked. Something like Canada Place in Edmonton would have been more appropriate if that was the style they were sticking with.

2857485810101453251ASovqJ_fs.jpg


I've also always thought it was funny that the condo next to 720 Bay has pretty much the same colour scheme.
 
I'm strangely indifferent to it. Maybe because such pink palaces were a dime a dozen back in the 80s; so why this one merits such singling out is a puzzle...

The worst thing is the mini solarium by the front doors with plastic plants in it.
 
Plans for something substantial are in the medium-to-long term for this site.
 
I was inside the building yesterday, and it's in very rough shape. There are signs everywhere warning not to drink the water as the lead content is high due to the pipes.

Most of the occupants seem to be there temporarily until better space becomes available in other buidlings. This is true of the three groups I'm familiar with in the building, in any case.

I would imagine any work being done is merely to keep the building at a minimum state of repair.
 

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