The Molson Bank Building is a historic commercial structure located at the corner of rue Saint‑Pierre (formerly St. Peter Street) and rue Saint‑Jacques (formerly St. James Street) in the Old Montreal neighbourhood of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Constructed between 1864 and 1866, it originally served as the headquarters of the Molson Bank, a Canadian banking institution founded by members of the Molson family.
History
- The Molson Bank required a larger head office after 1856 and purchased the adjacent lot in the spring of 1863. An architectural competition was held, which was won by the father‑son team of George Browne and John James George Browne.
- Construction began in 1864 and was completed in 1866. The building’s first floor and basement housed the bank’s counters and offices, while upper‑floor offices were accessed via a separate entrance on rue Saint‑Pierre.
- By 1883 the Molson Bank occupied the entire structure. Subsequent expansions in 1900 and 1911 enlarged the footprint to cover the whole lot. The original Saint‑Pierre entrance was later replaced by a more prominent entrance on rue Saint‑Jacques.
- In 1925 the Molson Bank merged with the Bank of Montreal, which then owned the building. The Bank of Montreal operated a branch and international services from the site until the branch closed in 1981.
- After a period of use as a bank training centre, the property was sold in 1999. Renovations in 2000 and later years adapted the interior for governmental and legal offices. As of 2009 the building was occupied by such tenants.
Architecture
- The Molson Bank Building is notable as the first structure in Montreal designed in the Second Empire architectural style, characterized by a mansard roof and ornate detailing.
- It is constructed of stone cladding on all façades and features a monumental entrance framed by ashlar masonry.
- The design reflects the prestige and stability sought by financial institutions of the era.
Heritage status
- The building is listed on the Répertoire du patrimoine culturel du Québec and is recognized as a historic bank building in Canada. It contributes to the architectural heritage of Old Montreal and is included in inventories of historic sites in the city.
Later use
- Following its banking functions, the building has housed a variety of occupants, including a publisher, a bank training centre, and, more recently, government and legal offices.
References
- Wikipedia, “Molson Bank Building,” accessed 2026‑05‑15.
- Ville de Montréal, Consultation des bases de données sur le patrimoine.
- Vieux‑Montréal inventory entry for the Molson Bank Building.
