Molson Bank Building, Montreal

The Molson Bank Building is a bank structure located at 278-288 Rue St-Jacques featuring stone facades and ornamental elements in Second Empire style. The ground floor displays arched openings and large windows, while upper stories feature vertical divisions and carved stone details throughout the composition.

The building was constructed in 1866 as the headquarters for the Molson Bank, representing the family's financial power in the city. The Bank of Montreal acquired it in 1925, marking a transition in ownership and the evolution of banking operations downtown.

The carved stone heads on the facade depict members of the Molson family, symbolizing their influence in shaping Montreal's growth. These sculptural portraits remain a distinctive feature visitors notice when approaching the building.

The building is located near Basilique Notre-Dame in the Ville-Marie district and currently houses government and legal offices with restricted public access. The carved stone details and facade are visible from the street, making it worthwhile to view from outside.

Rue St-Jacques functioned as Canada's main financial center through the 1930s, with numerous banking institutions concentrated along this single street. This building stood at the heart of the city's most important banking district during that era.