Last updated: October 22 2026
The Aberdeen Pavilion is a National Historic Site of Canada at Lansdowne Park in Ottawa. According to Parks Canada’s Canadian Register of Historic Places, it was built in 1898 and is “the only large-scale exhibition building in Canada surviving from the 19th century.” The City of Ottawa describes it as “a landmark available for special events and community use.”
At a glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Built | 1898 (Canadian Register) |
| Architect | Moses C. Edey, an Ottawa architect (Directory of Federal Heritage Designations) |
| Erected by | Dominion Bridge Company, for the Central Canada Exhibition Association (Canadian Register) |
| National Historic Site | Designated June 13 1983 (Parks Canada) |
| Ontario Heritage Trust | Heritage easement secured in 1996 (Ontario Heritage Trust) |
| Address | 1015 Bank Street, Lansdowne Park, Ottawa (Parks Canada; 613flea). Sources differ: see “How to get in” |
| Recurring event named by its organizer | 613flea, listed at the Aberdeen Pavilion for its 2026 markets from January 10 to October 17 |
| Admission to 613flea | Free, according to 613flea |
What the Aberdeen Pavilion is
The Canadian Register describes the building as having a large, well-lit interior and an ornate exterior with a sweeping roof, dome, corner towers and classical details. Its character-defining elements include “its light-weight and structurally innovative construction of structural steel covered with pressed metal and glass” and “its large, uninterrupted interior volume so suitable for exhibitions” (Parks Canada). The Ontario Heritage Trust lists a 4,000-square-metre (42,000-square-foot) floor and a 41-metre (135-foot) clear-span steel frame (Ontario Heritage Trust). The Canadian Register notes it is “also known as the Cattle Castle.”
Heritage designation
- National Historic Site of Canada, designated June 13 1983 (Parks Canada); listed on the Canadian Register on December 28 2005 (Canadian Register).
- Protected by the Ontario Heritage Trust, which “secured a heritage easement to conserve the property” in 1996 (Ontario Heritage Trust).
What it is used for now
The City of Ottawa lists the Aberdeen Pavilion as “available for special events and community use” and “home to a variety of events and activities” (City of Ottawa, Lansdowne Park).
Typical events
- 613flea, a “not-for-profit marketplace,” lists the Aberdeen Pavilion at 1015 Bank St. as its venue for its 2026 markets, twice a month from January 10 to October 17. For November 6 and 7 and November 27 and 28 2026, 613flea lists the Horticulture Building (613flea). 613flea says the marketplace is “always free to attend.”
- Other bookings appear on the What’s On page when announced.
How to get in and accessibility
- Address: the Canadian Register and Parks Canada give 1015 Bank Street, Lansdowne Park. Sources differ: the Ontario Heritage Trust gives 1525 Princess Patricia Way, and the City of Ottawa’s Lansdowne Park page uses 1525 Princess Patricia Way as its title.
- The City says washrooms are open to visitors daily from 8 am to 8 pm at the East entrance (City of Ottawa).
- Ontario Heritage Trust lists the site as free to visit with “partial wheelchair access,” parking, washrooms and food vendors (Ontario Heritage Trust).
- The City states: “All of the pathways leading to Lansdowne are fully accessible” (City of Ottawa).
- 613flea does not describe accessibility on its page.
Parking and transit
- The City lists on-street parking nearby, a commercial lot on site reached from Bank Street and Queen Elizabeth Drive, and an underground garage that serves everyday visitors (City of Ottawa). Garage rates and event-day rules are in the parking guide; cheaper options are in free and cheaper parking near Lansdowne.
- 613flea states there are “nearly 1,000” paid car parking spaces at the site, street parking nearby, 600 bike parking spaces and OC Transpo route planning (613flea).
- The City says OC Transpo routes 6 and 7 serve Lansdowne, with more than 600 bike parking spaces (City of Ottawa). The Ottawa Farmers’ Market gives bus stop #3080, served by the 6 and 7 (Ottawa Farmers’ Market).
Short history
- 1898: built, according to the Canadian Register, for the Central Canada Exhibition Association. The register says it was erected by the Dominion Bridge Company and designed by Moses C. Edey (Canadian Register).
- The Canadian Register calls the Central Canada Exhibition site one “used for exhibitions of various kinds for over a century” and the building the oldest surviving example of its type in Canada (Canadian Register; Parks Canada).
- June 13 1983: designated a National Historic Site of Canada (Parks Canada).
- 1996: Ontario Heritage Trust secured a heritage easement (Ontario Heritage Trust).
Next door: the TD Place gates guide and the Lansdowne Park directory.
Sources
- Canadian Register of Historic Places, Aberdeen Pavilion: construction date, architect, designation, heritage value, address. Read October 22 2026.
- Parks Canada, Directory of Federal Heritage Designations: designation date, reason for designation, character-defining elements. Read October 22 2026.
- Ontario Heritage Trust, Aberdeen Pavilion: 1996 easement, size, access, address. Read October 22 2026.
- City of Ottawa, Lansdowne Park: use, washrooms, parking, transit, accessibility. Read October 22 2026.
- 613flea: 2026 dates, venue, admission, parking and transit. Read October 22 2026.
- Ottawa Farmers’ Market, Lansdowne Market: bus stop. Read October 22 2026.
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