The West Block: A look inside Parliament Hill's $863M fixer-upper

The federal government offered its first look Thursday inside the $863-million renovation job on Parliament Hill's West Block, the heritage building expected to act as the temporary home for the House of Commons for 10years.

The rehabilitation of the West Block, which startedin 2011 and is expected to be finished next year, is just the first step in a massive three-stage revitalization of the Parliamentary precinct's heritage buildings. After the West Block work is complete, work will begin first on the Centre Block and then the East Block.

Temporary House chamber a major change

In addition to the rehabilitation of the building, the biggestchange is the construction of a glass-roofed infill structure in the covered courtyard that will welcome the House of Commons chamber.

The West Block will be the new home of the House of Commons chamber when work begins to restore the Centre Block.

During that time, the West Blockwill also take over a number of legislative functions, including housingfour committee rooms and offices for the Prime Minister, House officers, party leaders and party whips.

Once the Centre Block work is complete, the West Block will revert to a parliamentary building, with 52 offices for Members of Parliament and their staff, and six committee rooms, including support functions.