Jan 15, 2026

Located in downtown Halifax, the Dominion Public Building is a landmark of architectural and historical significance. Recognized as a federal heritage building, this iconic Art Deco building first rose above the Halifax skyline in 1935. The building’s distinctive stepped tower, smooth Wallace sandstone and polished granite exterior, and intricate Art Deco details have made it a familiar and celebrated presence in the city for nearly a century.

Our team was honoured to be entrusted with the interior remodeling of this historic building. The project, which reached substantial completion in September 2025, involved a careful transformation of the interior to accommodate a modern office environment while respecting the building’s heritage character.

“Balancing the building’s historic Art Deco features with the needs of a modern workspace was a rewarding challenge, and I’m thrilled to see this landmark preserved for future generations while serving the community in a contemporary way,” says Brad White, Project Manager.

Balancing Heritage and Modern Functionality

Given the building’s recognized heritage value our approach has been guided by preservation principles at every step. Key features remained intact and were carefully protected during construction, reflecting the building’s original craftsmanship and to contribute to the historic character of the space.

To meet contemporary office needs, the renovation involved removing existing flooring, ceilings, and office partitions and rebuilding the interior spaces to support a more modern, flexible layout. The building remained occupied throughout construction, so all work was carried out on a floor-by-floor basis, with close coordination to minimize disruption to tenants.

Honouring the Past, Supporting the Future

Our work on the Dominion Public Building exemplifies the careful balance required when modernizing a heritage structure: respecting character-defining elements while updating the space for current use. By protecting significant architectural features and materials, we ensure the building’s legacy continues for future generations.

This project represented a collaboration between history and modern design, allowing one of Halifax’s most recognizable landmarks to continue serving the community as a functional, contemporary workspace.