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Photo by Sean Kilpatrick / THE CANADIAN PRESS

The three-and-a-half year renovation of the heritage building and construction of its adjacent annex, it was noted more than once, came in on time and on budget — $99.5 million, or about $1,680 per sq. ft. The space replaces the West Block’s Ceremonial Room 200, which until its closure three years ago hosted numerous official government functions.

Photo by Sean Kilpatrick / THE CANADIAN PRESS

Ezio DiMillo, Public Works’s director general of long-term planning for the parliamentary precinct, compared the new structure to a small conference centre, noting such back-of-house functions as loading docks, cloakrooms, washroom and food-service facilities.

And as impressive as were as such features as the glass exterior wall in the annex that affords visitors a view of Parliament Hill, and the smart acrylic-covered lighting in one of the annex’s Multi-Purpose Rooms that makes it look like a modern-day Mad Men set, AND the fact that all four exterior walls of the old bank are still visible from the outside — apparently a requirement to qualify as a temple, according to David Clusiau, the main architect for the renovation — it really was the interior of the old bank itself that sent necks craning in awe.

Photo by Sean Kilpatrick / THE CANADIAN PRESS

There, its 60-foot-high vaulted and ornate ceiling, intricate tiled floor, bas-relief coats of arms of the provinces and territories, soaring windows, original art deco lights and clock all lend the room the aura of an opulent train station at the height of rail travel.