I wanted to photograph Mercury Court again, and did so again in April. The building was once a department store; it was extensively remodeled by the architecture firm that has its offices here. You might remember my Doors Open post. The ground floor hosts restaurants and retail, while the upper floors house more office space, including the Embassy of Sweden. Its location is marked by the Swedish and EU flags.
I love the perspective in these photos and so nice to see a chocolate shop! :)
ReplyDeleteI don't think I'd expect an embassy in a shared building like this. But if I were looking for such a location the proximity to chocolate would affect my decision mightily...
ReplyDeleteI like re-uses of older buildings!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful place. I am attracted to the chocolate shop!
ReplyDeleteThe building attracts attention, certainly.
ReplyDeleteTomás.
No doubt names after the statue on the roof. Not sure what to make of the place, it's not ugly but then it's no beauty either
ReplyDeleteI like that clock tower!
ReplyDeleteIt is always nice when a building gets remodeled and reused, instead of torn down. Diversity in buildings adds character to a city. Happy Friday!
ReplyDeleteJanis
GDP
@Linda: thanks!
ReplyDelete@Kay: embassies pop up in the oddest of locations.
@Cloudia: this was a good use.
@Nancy: it is a good shop.
@Tomas: it does.
@Bill: I can see some having that reaction.
@Marianne: I do too.
@Janis: thank you!
Very interesting William. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteThat is a glorious old building - the renovations obviously were very well done!
ReplyDeleteAnd there's a chocolate shop!
ReplyDeleteA chocolate shop is always worth a visit!
ReplyDeleteThe people at the Swedish Embassy must love having the shops in close proximity. Great photos!
ReplyDeleteI do love the design of this building. Quite unusual.
ReplyDeleteThey made a dowdy old department store look very attractive.
ReplyDelete@Luis: thanks!
ReplyDelete@Lowell: the architecture firm has a very good reputation here and a lot of experience with heritage buildings. They've had a hand in a nearby project that I've photographed before and will be photographing again when it's done.
@Norma: a very good thing!
@Halcyon: it certainly is.
@Denise: there's a lot of life down in this area.
@Linda: it's rather distinctive to me.
@Red: it was quite a transformation.
A beautiful building. And that chocolate shop looks good! :)
ReplyDeleteI would have gone straight to the chocolate place.....
ReplyDeleteThey would have me at chocolate! Reading over the comments, I'm clearly not alone. ;)
ReplyDeleteThere is a Stubbe chocolate place here that I think is run by the son of the Ottawa one's owner.
ReplyDeleteA good looking building.
ReplyDeleteMB
@Marleen: it is a good shop!
ReplyDelete@Gunn: for good reason.
@Hilary: lots of people love chocolate.
@RedPat: it doesn't strike me as a big company, so not a surprise that it's more of a family operation. I didn't know there was a shop down in Toronto.
@MB: it is!
It looks to me that it has successfully made the transition from a department store to a nice mix of businesses and an Embassy too. Good news.
ReplyDeleteA successful transition William. It's such a solid looking building and then there's that lovely little touch on one of the cupolas, I can't quite make out what kind of figure it is ?
ReplyDeleteI love that dome above the clock with the statue on it. But, I'd really be interested the chocolate shop.
ReplyDeleteThis building looks quite nice. I think Swedish may like chocolate.. :)
ReplyDeleteNice-looking building! And pix, too!
ReplyDeleteA very attractive building.
ReplyDeleteLove the design of the clock feature on this lovely building.
ReplyDelete@Lauren: I wonder if the Swedish ambassador's residence will be back on the Doors Open circuit this year.
ReplyDelete@Grace: that would be the god Mercury.
@Sharon: the chocolate's very well worth it!
@Orvokki: oh, yes!
@Cheryl: thanks!
@Bill: I quite agree.
@Gemma: I do as well.
That's a neat building William, a little unusual I venture to house an embassy in such a place...
ReplyDeleteIt is a nice building. I think I am craving some chocolate now.
ReplyDeleteStubb's Chocolate certainly caught my eye.
ReplyDeletesure makes a pretty corner.
ReplyDeleteChocolates, of course!
ReplyDelete@Geoff: I'd love to see the interior. The Danish embassy is close by here, and shares the building with a newspaper of all things.
ReplyDelete@Lois: chocolate is a very good craving.
@Mari: they sell very tasty treats.
@Tex: it does, yes.
@Revrunner: definitely.
It seems to me architects and builders have done a good job.
ReplyDeleteThey really did.
DeleteI haven't been there. I learn much form your photos!!!
ReplyDeleteIt's a nice building.
DeleteI like the bottom photo, with the light on it.
ReplyDeleteThis one looks best in afternoon sunlight.
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