For faster navigation, this Iframe is preloading the Wikiwand page for Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Ottawa.

Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Ottawa

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: "Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Ottawa" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (July 2018) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Ottawa
Map
LocationOttawa
Address201 Sussex Drive
Coordinates45°26′04″N 75°41′54″W / 45.434434°N 75.698408°W / 45.434434; -75.698408
Chargé d'affairesAbdulaziz bin Mohammed Al-Badi

Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Ottawa (Arabic: سفارة المملكة العربية السعودية الملكية في أتاوا Sifāra al-Mamlaka al-`Arabīya as-Su`ūdīya al-Malikīya fī Uttāwā) is Saudi Arabia's diplomatic mission to Canada. The building is located at 201 Sussex Drive in Ottawa, overlooking the Ottawa River. Prior to 2005, it was located in an office in the Clarica Centre on Bank Street.

Planning and construction

[edit]

The Saudis bought the prime land in 1978 for $900 000 and top Canadian architect Arthur Erickson was hired to do the design.[1] It was many years before construction began; however, as Saudi cut backs in the 1980s halted the lavish scheme. Plans to build a somewhat smaller structure were announced in 1989.[citation needed] In the meantime, the National Capital Commission had striven to turn Sussex Drive into a ceremonial boulevard and it balked at the Saudi design, threatening to take back the land. The project again came to a halt.[citation needed]

In 1997 a new design was developed, but neighbours complained vigorously about the number of armed guards that would surround it and the loss of green space. The plan was approved by Ottawa City Council, except for the guard houses and access road. The Saudis stated that without them the embassy could not function and shelved the $25 million project. The city and embassy negotiated and the Saudis made compromises on the size of the guardhouses and in other areas and city council, to the displeasure of local residents, approved the plan in May 1998.[citation needed]

The exterior of the building was completed in 2001;[1] however it remained empty for some time, reportedly due to the strained Canadian-Saudi relations over the case of William Sampson. The Saudi embassy reported that its staff were too busy with diplomatic matters in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks to take time off to move to new quarters. Work on the interior resumed in March 2004 and was opened in August 2005.[citation needed]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Roston, Margo (16 December 2016). "Saudi Arabia's Ottawa jewel on Sussex Drive". Diplomat and International Canada. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
[edit]

{{bottomLinkPreText}} {{bottomLinkText}}
Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Ottawa
Listen to this article

This browser is not supported by Wikiwand :(
Wikiwand requires a browser with modern capabilities in order to provide you with the best reading experience.
Please download and use one of the following browsers:

This article was just edited, click to reload
This article has been deleted on Wikipedia (Why?)

Back to homepage

Please click Add in the dialog above
Please click Allow in the top-left corner,
then click Install Now in the dialog
Please click Open in the download dialog,
then click Install
Please click the "Downloads" icon in the Safari toolbar, open the first download in the list,
then click Install
{{::$root.activation.text}}

Install Wikiwand

Install on Chrome Install on Firefox
Don't forget to rate us

Tell your friends about Wikiwand!

Gmail Facebook Twitter Link

Enjoying Wikiwand?

Tell your friends and spread the love:
Share on Gmail Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Buffer

Our magic isn't perfect

You can help our automatic cover photo selection by reporting an unsuitable photo.

This photo is visually disturbing This photo is not a good choice

Thank you for helping!


Your input will affect cover photo selection, along with input from other users.

X

Get ready for Wikiwand 2.0 🎉! the new version arrives on September 1st! Don't want to wait?