The Macdonald Block Complex is a set of office buildings in

Toronto Toronto ( , locally pronounced or ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most populous city in Canada. It is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a p ...

, Ontario, Canada, that houses 12 cabinet ministers, 15 Ontario government ministries (as of 2016) and the largest concentration of Ontario public servants. Its address is 900 Bay Street, and is located just east of Queen's Park.

Layout

The complex consists of four towers: *The Ferguson Block: A 14-storey building that was completed in 1969, designed in the

International Style The International Style is a major architectural style and movement that began in western Europe in the 1920s and dominated modern architecture until the 1970s. It is defined by strict adherence to Functionalism (architecture), functional and Fo ...

by Shore Tilbe Henschel Irwin Architects and Engineers (now Shore Tilbe Irwin + Partners). The building is named for former

premier Premier is a title for the head of government in central governments, state governments and local governments of some countries. A second in command to a premier is designated as a deputy premier. A premier will normally be a head of govern ...

George H. Ferguson, and is located at 77 Wellesley Street West. *The Hearst Block is home to Ontario's provincial Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, and Ministry of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure. The building is named for former Premier William Howard Hearst. It is ten storeys high. Designed by same firm as the Ferguson Block. *The Hepburn Block is home to various ministries, including the Ministry of Community and Social Services and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. The 14-storey building is named for former Ontario Premier Mitchell Hepburn. Designed by same firm as the Ferguson Block in 1969. *The Mowat Block is 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 Block is named after the first premier of Ontario, Sir

John Sandfield Macdonald John Sandfield Macdonald, (December 12, 1812 – June 1, 1872) was the joint premier of the Province of Canada from 1862 to 1864. He was also the first premier of Ontario from 1867 to 1871, one of the four founding provinces created at Can ...

. 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 of

Whitney Block The Whitney Block is a Government of Ontario office building located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is located across the street from the Ontario Legislative Building, and contains the offices of the premier of Ontario and most cabinet ministe ...

from its second storey. It is designed by the same firm as the Ferguson Block. Ontario Government Buildings-Aerial

History

The massive construction site for the Macdonald Block was the filming location for

Buster Keaton Joseph Frank "Buster" Keaton (October 4, 1895 – February 1, 1966) was an American actor, comedian and filmmaker. He is best known for his silent films during the 1920s, in which he performed physical comedy and inventive stunts. He frequently ...

's last film, "The Reporter", an industrial safety short that was released under the title '' The Scribe''. In July 2016, the

Government of Ontario The Government of Ontario () is the body responsible for the administration of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. The term ''Government of Ontario'' refers specifically to the executive—political Minister ...

announced an eight-year reconstruction project of the entire complex. Adamson Associates Architects served as the planning, design and compliance architect for the project, which was substantially completed in 2024.

Nearby government buildings

Other government buildings nearby include: *

* Ontario Power Building * Frost Building

References

Ferguson Block

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