Feds buying downtown Ottawa office building for $148.2 million

The federal government is buying an office building in downtown Ottawa for $148.2 million.

Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) confirmed to CTV News Ottawa it is purchasing 131 Queen Street from Morguard Corp.

“The building was constructed for government use and will continue to serve as a key administrative facility to support the long-term accommodation of the House of Commons,” PSPC said in a statement.

The 14-storey building on Queen Street, between Metcalfe Street and O’Connor Street, has 305,210 sq. ft. of office space. It was built in 2005.

The purchase comes as the federal government mandates public servants to spend more time in the office.

The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat issued a new directive earlier this month, stating that, as of May 4, executives will be required to work onsite five days per week. All other federal employees in the core public service will need to be in the office a minimum of four days per week, as of July 6.

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