I visited Montreal in 1999, 2002, 2005, 2012, and 2014. The city has some wonderful historic (and modern) buildings. As with most other places I have visited, this is necessarily just a small sampling of the interesting architecture to be found there. Most of these buildings are located either Downtown or in the Old City.


Churches

Christ Church Cathedral

Construction on this Cathedral began in 1857, but it was not finished until 1867. The architects were Frank Wills and Thomas S. Scott.

Evangel Pentecostal Church

This church is located in Westmount.

Mary Queen of the World Cathedral

This Cathedral is the seat of the Roman Catholic archdiocese of Montreal. It was constructed between 1870 and 1894.

Notre Dame Basilica

This Basilica was constructed between 1823 and 1829, and completed in the early 1840s. The architect was James O'Donnell. It represents the Gothic Revival style.

People's Church

 

Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul

Designed by architect Harold Featherstonaugh and built in 1931-32, this Presbyterian church reflects the gothic revival style.

Eglise Ste. Irenee

This church was constructed between 1903 and 1906. The architects were Albert Mesnard and Charles Bernier.

St. George's (Anglican) Church

This church was built in 1870. The architect was William Thomas.

St. James' United Chuch

Built ca. 1880, this building has fondly been called the "Methodist Cathedral". About 2003, the retail and commercial space was removed from the front facade of the church, largely restoring its original appearance.

Union United Church

This building was constructed in 1899 as l'Église methodiste française. It became the Union Congregational Church in 1917.

Heritage Buildings

Aldred Building

This building was completed in 1931, and it shows the influence of American styles.

Art Deco-style building

Note especially the decoration over the front entrance and the rounded corners.

The Bay department store

This building was built in 1890-91, and the architect was John Pearce Hill.

Bank of Montreal

The original building dates from 1846, and it was designed by David Rhind and John Wells. Various additions have been made in the years since.

Bank of Toronto

 

City Hall

 

Façade of Fire Station No. 20

The Fire Station No. 20 was built in 1908; the architect was Louis-Roch Montbriand. It now forms part of the the Palais des congrès de Montréal.

Layered Facades

This building is interesting primarily because one can see the various "layers" as the facade was modernised and adapted by the successive occupants of the building. Note particularly the former arched window openings, now blocked-up.

Molson's Bank

 

Old Customs House

This Palladian-style building was built between 1836 and 1838. The architect was John Ostell.

Sun Life Building

This building was originally construced about 1913, but two additions were made until 1933. It was designed by the Toronto architectural firm of Darling and Pearson.

Telus Building

This building was originally a bank.

Unidentified Building #1

 

Windsor Station

This building was built in 1901 as the head office and station facilities of the Canadian Pacific Railway. The architect was Bruce Price.

Modern Buildings

Apple Store

 

Canadian Centre for Architecture building (detail)

 

GE Capital Building

 

Holiday Inn

Note especially the two Asian-style pagodas on the roof.

Palais de Justice

 

Unidentified Building #3

What building is this?

Unidentified Building #4

Miscellaneous

Biosphere

Designed by architect Buckminster Fuller, the (former) American pavillion at Expo 67 is one of the iconic images of Montreal architecture.

Jean-Drapeau Metro Station

Formerly called Ile-Saint-Helene, this station serves the former Expo 67 site. The architect was Jean Dumontier, and the station opened on April 1, 1967. Note the poured concrete barriers used to manage the traffic flow.

Mister Steer sign

This St. Catherine Street establishment has been in business for more than 50 years. The food and service there are both excellent.

View from Mount Royal

 

Residential Buildings

Bayle Apartments

This large apartment complex dates from about the 1920s. I just love the central coutyard.

Habitat

Habitat was designed by Montreal architect Moshe Safdie. It consists of 158 individual apartments. It is a lasting remnent of Expo 67.

Small Apartment Building

Note the small details like the wrought-iron balconies and the decorative paterns in the brick.

Townhouses

Despite the overall sameness of the design, each resident has made their home look unique.

Unidentified Condo Building

 

Please direct all comments, suggestions, additions, and/or corrections to me at jhd@interbaun.com.

This page is part of my Canadian Architectural Photographs collection.


Last Modified: August 15, 2017