The Block 2 site is the city block in front of the Centre Block and Peace Tower, Canadas main parliament building. Block 2 is in the foreground of Parliament Hill, a world-renowned ensemble of unique neo-gothic buildings, and establishes the threshold between Town and Crown. The site is bounded by Metcalfe Street to the east, O'Connor Street to the west, Wellington Street to the north and Sparks Street to the south. The Block 2 site has an approximate area of 9,800 sqm and currently consists today of eleven buildings. Canadas Federal Heritage Bureau Review Office has designated some of the buildings as Recognized or Classified. The current condition of many Block 2 buildings is not appropriate given their central location, with many having gone beyond or reaching the end of their life cycle. The goal of the competition is to provide a cohesive design solution and to redevelop the site into an efficient complex of buildings. The Block 2 redevelopment project will transform a mix of aging buildings and 2 vacant parcels of land into an innovative complex that is welcoming to all, is accessible and will meet the needs of Parliament and the public. The redesigned block will provide office space for the Senate and the House of Commons to allow for the rehabilitation of the East Block and the Confederation Building. In the long term, it will act as permanent space to allow for the future consolidation of parliamentary accommodations. It will also include renovated retail space on the Sparks Street mall. This project will ensure that the work of Parliament continues without disruption, while protecting important heritage aspects of the buildings. The redevelopment of Block 2 will provide modern, sustainable and accessible accommodations for the Parliament of Canada as part of the Long Term Vision and Plan for the Parliamentary Precinct. *Total project cost is estimated at $430 million.