Ottawa is taking bids on nine federal buildings in six cities across the country, including some purchased in the past decade.

The government made the announcement Monday and confirmed it plans to lease back office space in the buildings once they are sold. That was deemed by an independent study to be more efficient and effective for the government than owning the buildings, a news release said.

The federal government bought the Thomas D'Arcy McGee Building on Sparks Street in Ottawa for $66 million six years ago.
(CBC)

But Public Works Minister Michael Fortier said the buildings' sale is not a done deal.

"Before any sale-leaseback goes ahead, the government will obtain further independent advice to analyze whether it makes economic sense to proceed," he said in a statement.

The buildings to be sold include:

• 401 Burrard in Vancouver
• Sinclair Centre in Vancouver
• Harry Hays Building in Calgary
• Canada Place in Edmonton
• Joseph Shepard Building in Toronto
• Thomas D'Arcy McGee Building in Ottawa
• Skyline Complex in Ottawa
• 305 René Lévesque West in Montreal
• 4225 Dorchester West in Montreal

Skyline bought 3 years ago

Both Ottawa buildings up for sale are recent purchases.

The government bought the Skyline Complex at Baseline and Merivale Roads from Nortel three years ago. The purchase and renovation cost more than $170 million.

The Thomas D'Arcy McGee Building on Sparks Street was purchased six years ago for $66 million. That building now houses federal court offices and the Royal Bank.

The government commissioned BMO Capital Markets and RBC Capital Markets real estate groups in September 2006 to study 40 federal buildings in order to find solutions to costly issues such as repair and maintenance needs, upgrades to meet increased environmental standards and low occupancy rates in some buildings.

The government currently leases 43 per cent of its office space.