Definition
500 Place D'Armes is a commercial office building situated at 500 Place d'Armes in the historic district of Old Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Overview
The structure occupies a prominent corner of the Place d'Armes square, directly opposite the Notre‑Basilique Notre‑Dame and adjacent to a cluster of heritage buildings. Completed in the late 2010s, the tower provides premium office space, retail amenities on the ground floor, and publicly accessible plazas that integrate contemporary architecture with the historic urban fabric of Old Montreal. The building is part of a broader revitalisation effort aimed at increasing the concentration of professional services within the city centre while preserving the cultural significance of the surrounding area.
Etymology / Origin
The name “500 Place D'Armes” derives straightforwardly from its street address: the building is located at number 500 on Place d'Armes, a public square whose name dates back to the French colonial period and originally denoted the area where military drills and parades were held (“place d’armes” meaning “arms square” in French).
Characteristics
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | 500 Place d'Armes, Old Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Function | Office tower with ground‑floor retail and public plaza |
| Height | Approximately 90–95 m (about 22–23 storeys) |
| Floor Count | 22–23 floors (including mechanical levels) |
| Completion | Late 2010s (exact year not definitively confirmed) |
| Architectural Style | Contemporary glass‑and‑steel façade, designed to complement the historic surroundings |
| Design Team | The primary architectural firm has not been conclusively documented in publicly available sources; multiple design collaborations have been reported. |
| Sustainability | The building was pursued to meet LEED certification standards, though the final certification level is not publicly confirmed. |
| Major Tenants | A mix of professional services firms, financial institutions, and governmental offices occupy the tower; specific tenant lists vary and are not exhaustively verified. |
| Public Amenities | Ground‑level retail spaces, a pedestrian‑friendly plaza, and winter‑season outdoor seating areas. |
Accurate information is not confirmed for several specifics, including the exact completion year, the definitive architect of record, and the precise LEED certification level, as publicly released data are limited.
Related Topics
- Place d'Armes (square) – The historic public square in Old Montreal after which the building is named.
- Old Montreal – The heritage district that encompasses Place d'Armes and hosts a concentration of historic and modern architecture.
- Office towers in Montreal – The broader category of high‑rise commercial buildings contributing to the city’s business district.
- Urban revitalisation in heritage districts – Planning approaches that balance new development with preservation of historic urban environments.
- LEED certification – A widely used green building rating system that may apply to 500 Place D'Armes.