Abbott's Guide to Ottawa and Vicinity/West Block
DEPARTMENTAL BUILDINGS—WEST BLOCK
WEST BLOCK.
The western departmental building, or West Block, contains the Departments of Customs, Inland Revenue, Public Works, Trade and Commerce, and Marine and Fisheries. The building is of the same material as the Parliament Buildings. The style is pure Gothic. From it rises, at the West side, the Mackenzie tower 272 feet) named after Hon. Alex. Mackenzie (see p. 23). Although considerably higher than the Victoria tower of the Parliament Buildings, this is not apparent, owing to the lower level at its base. The beauty of the architecture of this tower, particularly the western facade, is worth a careful examination; it compares favourably with any Gothic work to be found elsewhere. The small tower at the north end is called the Laurier tower after the late Premier of Canada.