Sun Life Building, Neoclassical skyscraper at Metcalfe Street and René-Lévesque Boulevard, Montreal, Canada.
The Sun Life Building is a 24-storey neoclassical tower at 1155 Metcalfe Street on Dorchester Square. Its base carries a row of columns, above which a wide midsection of repeated rectangular windows is capped by a projecting cornice; the tower then narrows into a taller central shaft with columns near its upper floors. The whole exterior is clad in grey Stanstead granite, using 60,200 blocks and 114 granite columns.
Construction took place in three phases between 1913 and 1931, and upon completion it became the largest building by floor space in the British Empire. This project marked a turning point in Montreal's architectural development and set new standards for the city.
The building's name comes from the Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, founded in 1871, which occupied it from 1918. The company moved its head office to Toronto in 1978, citing the constraints of Bill 101, and later converted the building into rental offices after a renovation costing $135,000,000 that lasted nearly ten years.
The building sits within walking distance of Bonaventure metro station and is easily accessible by public transit. Keep in mind that access to certain areas may be limited since it operates as a functioning business building.
During World War II, British gold reserves and securities were stored in the building's underground vaults and guarded by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. This secretive operation helped protect valuable assets from enemy threats.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 92,635 contributors worldwide.
