File:Edifice Scottish Ontario - 01.jpg

English: « Central Chambers, Bell Block, and Scottish Ontario Chambers, Ottawa, Ontario

Three historic buildings on Elgin Street between Queen and Sparks Street, and across from Confederation Square, in downtown Ottawa.

Beginning on the left, at the intersection of Elgin and Queen Street, is Central Chambers. Designed by John James Browne of Montreal in Queen Anne Revival Style, this commercial building was completed in 1893 and, at one time, served as offices for the Canadian Atlantic Railway. The structure was listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places (CRHP) in 2005.

The building now houses the National Capital Commission, which administers the federally owned lands and buildings in Canada's National Capital Region, including Ottawa, Ontario and Gatineau, Quebec.

In the center of this photograph is the three story Bell Block, now known as 32-36 Elgin Street. Designed by William Hodgson, this commercial building was built in 1867, and is designated a heritage property under the Ontario Heritage Act.

Next to the former Bell Block, and at the corner of Elgin and Sparks Street, is the Scottish Ontario Chambers. This highly visible building is at the entrance of the Sparks Street Retail District.

The Scottish Ontario Chambers, completed in 1883 as a prestige commercial property by the Scottish Ontario and Manitoba Land Company, who were involved in land speculation and development, is associated with the 19th century commercial development of downtown Ottawa. The building was rented to professionals, largely lawyers and real estate agents, and then sold to the Ottawa Deposit and Trust Company in 1896 where it eventually became part of the Canada Permanent Trust Company. Until it was sold to the National Capital Commission in 1965, the Scottish Ontario Chambers was also known as the Trust Building, and was listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places (CRHP) in 1983. » – Randy von Liski