Architecture Through the Ages in Montreal

From 18th-century Gothic facades to ultra-modern designs, Montreal is an architecture lover's dream, drawing inspiration from around the world and infusing it with a mesmerizing blend of cultures and styles. In Montreal on business? Be sure to make time to explore the city's old European flair and marvel at the futuristic side with visits to these ten architectural gems – it’s not to be missed.

Notre-Dame Basilica

Montreal is home to so many stunning churches and religious buildings, it’s difficult to highlight just one. But Notre-Dame Basilica and its stunning Gothic Revival architecture simply can’t be overlooked. The original church dates back to 1683, though it was rebuilt between 1824 and 1829 as it wasn’t large enough to accommodate enough worshippers.  
A spot of trivia: the architect, James O'Donnell, died a year after the work was completed; there’s a plaque in his honor at Notre-Dame and his crypt lies beneath the building. Book a sightseeing tour and wonder at the art, and decadent stained-glass windows and breathe in the splendor of a masterpiece.

New York Life Insurance Building

A mere two-minute stroll away from Notre-Dame, the New York Life Insurance Building owns a genuine slice of Montreal architectural history – it’s credited as the tallest commercial building in the city. Inspired by Italian Renaissance architecture, it was built in the late 1880s and at the time was among the forerunners in technology with its eight-story structure, elevator shaft and electricity. Constructed in red sandstone, it was – and still is – in striking contrast to the grey buildings surrounding it.

Bonsecours Market

Bonsecours Market – Marché Bonsecours – is a thriving hub of culture, cafés, restaurants and shops, housed in a spectacular building featuring a domed tower. Spend time here and you’ll feel as if you’re strolling around a European village. The restaurants, event spaces, and boutiques attract both visitors and locals to the Marché Bonsecours, though for architecture buffs, the Renaissance Revival style is more than enough reason to stop by. Designed by William Footner and George Browne, that gleaming dome is the complex's crowning glory.

Central Fire Station

The Central Fire Station in Old Montreal boasts classic architecture with decorative sculpted foliage, curved arches and a tower that lends a medieval look to what was considered a modern building when it was built in 1903. It’s no longer a fire station, but the building remains a stunning piece of architecture. 

Ritz-Carlton Montreal

This prestigious hotel is also an important architectural landmark. Located in the ‘Golden Square Mile’ neighborhood, it was designed by Warren and Wetmore, the New York architects who also designed New York City's Grand Central Terminal. This Beaux Art landmark opened in 1912 at a cost of $3 million. Over the years, it’s welcomed iconic guests including Winston Churchill and Queen Elizabeth II. A $200m renovation project, completed in 2012, has only added to its prestigious reputation.

Habitat 67

Designed in 1967 by Moshe Safdie, an Israeli-Canadian architect, Habitat 67's design is significant because of Safdie's intention to change apartment living. With its prefabricated modular units stacked in various configurations, the design pioneered the combination of economical high rises and suburban-style garden homes.Habitat 67 is a village of apartments which are quirky, unique and loaded with character. Designed in 1967 by Moshe Safdie, an Israeli-Canadian architect, Habitat 67 overlooks the Old Port of Montreal. The apartments resemble cubes – Safdie was inspired by LEGO blocks – and are spread out over 12 floors. Guided tours returned in 2022, so visitors get the chance to marvel at Safdie’s genius all over again.

Olympic Park

Built to host the 1976 Summer Olympics, Montreal's Olympic Park is considered a very forward-thinking architectural site. Created by French architect Roger Taillibert – who also designed the Parc des Princes in Paris – one of the most exciting features of the stadium is the Montréal Tower, which stands 165-meters high. The Tower is currently closed for renovation works – provisionally reopening towards the end of 2024 – but the stadium’s open for tours and events.

Montreal Biosphere

For a look at the modern side of the city, visit the Montreal Biosphere, an environmental museum with striking futuristic architectural design originally created by Buckminster Fuller. In 1992, Montreal architect Éric Gauthier was commissioned to redevelop the Biosphere. He retained Fuller’s outer shell and the Cambridge Seven Associates inner shell while maximizing the natural light inside and adding new space laid out like a ship

Bibliothèque du Boisé

If you're craving yet more modern architecture, look no further than this library located in the heart of the Saint-Laurent district. This modern structure, designed by Labonté Marcil, Cardinal Hardy and Eric Pelletier, won RAIC's Green Building Award in 2017 and earned a LEED Platinum certification. The Boisé library also integrates numerous eco-friendly designs, including a passive heating system and the use of low-remitting and locally-sourced building materials.

Museum of Archaeology and History

Rounding off our tour of Montreal’s architectural excellence is the perfect blend of old and new in Pointe-à-Callière, the Museum of Archaeology and History located in Old Montreal. The modern architecture of the museum is a striking contrast to the historic treasures found underground. A quick elevator ride down takes you to the ruins of the original settlement – an experience not to be missed.

The next time you’re in Montreal, take time to enjoy some of the amazing architectural sights. Tell us about your favorites on Twitter.