Better Business Bureau at Station No. 11

The former Parkdale Fire Station No. 11 at 424 Parkdale Avenue is a beautiful, red-brick building located near the corner of Parkdale and Gladstone in Ottawa. It was designed and erected under the supervision of Ottawa architects Richard H. Millson, Cecil Burgess, and Albert J. Hazelgrove in 1924 and boasts significant historical and architectural features. One of Hintonburg’s most beloved community landmarks, the former Parkdale Fire Station No. 11 has been reinvented as a flexible office, meeting, and event space for the Better Business Bureau’s largest regional office in Canada. An example of adaptive reuse, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) has taken over the entire 4,800-square-foot, two-storey building, refurbishing, converting, and preserving some of the architectural beauty and characteristics of the original while creating a new flexible office, meeting, and event space for the non-profit organization.

The modernized kitchen on the main floor will allow BBB to host events onsite, fostering neighbourhood inclusivity by operating like a community hub. According to Canada’s Historic Places, Fire Station No. 11 was one of three surviving pre-1930 fire stations in Ottawa when it received a Municipal Heritage Designation in 1996. This heritage designated property boasts high ceilings, exposed brick walls, polished concrete floors, and window openings on the second storey.

Two large double-bay doors once allowed the horse-drawn fire engines to quickly deploy. There is a firefighter’s pole and a hose drying tower where firefighters hung their hoses after a call. The cast-iron lettering ‘Station No. 11’ is visible on the front façade and tower roof structure.

Location and contact

In-person visiting hours

*Follow building health protocols.

  • Saturday, June 3 2023
    10am to 4pm
  • Sunday, June 4 2023
    10am to 4pm

Virtual and 3D Tours

This building does not offer virtual or 3D tours.

  • The red brick exterior facade features two large bright red equipment entrance bays, pedestrian entry and tower roof structure.
    Exterior Facade of the BBB at Station No. 11, photo credit: BBB
  • Close up of exterior facade featuring cast iron lettering "Station No. 11", detailed stone trim, and window openings.
    Close Up of Exterior Facade Details, photo credit: BBB
  • Large open-concept, shared office co-working space featuring large sliding doors displaying art by a local artist.
    First Floor Open-Concept Shared Office Co-Working Space, photo credit: BBB
  • Second floor modern open-concept flex office space features both high top and low top desk options.
    Second Floor Modern Open-Concept Office Space, photo credit: BBB
  • An upward shot of red brick Tower Roof Structure and Hose Drying Tower with small, slit windows and iron ladder.
    Tower Roof Structure and Hose Drying Tower, photo credit: BBB
  • Open-concept modern kitchen with green cabinets and white stools under the kitchen island.
    First Floor Open-Concept Modern Kitchen Facilities, photo credit: BBB
  • The red brick exterior facade features two large bright red equipment entrance bays, pedestrian entry and tower roof structure.
    Exterior Facade of the BBB at Station No. 11, photo credit: BBB
  • Close up of exterior facade featuring cast iron lettering "Station No. 11", detailed stone trim, and window openings.
    Close Up of Exterior Facade Details, photo credit: BBB
  • Large open-concept, shared office co-working space featuring large sliding doors displaying art by a local artist.
    First Floor Open-Concept Shared Office Co-Working Space, photo credit: BBB
  • Second floor modern open-concept flex office space features both high top and low top desk options.
    Second Floor Modern Open-Concept Office Space, photo credit: BBB
  • An upward shot of red brick Tower Roof Structure and Hose Drying Tower with small, slit windows and iron ladder.
    Tower Roof Structure and Hose Drying Tower, photo credit: BBB
  • Open-concept modern kitchen with green cabinets and white stools under the kitchen island.
    First Floor Open-Concept Modern Kitchen Facilities, photo credit: BBB

Architecture

Architect/Builder on record
Richard H. Millson, Cecil Burgess and Albert J. Hazelgrove
Construction date or date range
1924
Category
Business and/or foundations

Amenities and features

  • New participant building
  • Public washrooms
  • Accessible access
  • Free parking
  • Family friendly
  • Guided tours
  • OC transpo nearby