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1 Place Ville-Marie

15040 Views 42 Replies 12 Participants Last post by  trainrover
La Place Ville-Marie (architectes I.M. Pei en collaboration avec Ray AFFLECK, 1958-1965), à Montréal, est développée par les Immeubles CN comme un îlot urbain. Elle est érigée par phases : la première, de 1958 à 1960, est la construction de la tour cruciforme (en forme de croix) de 45 étages, communément appelée l'édifice de la Banque Royale. Sa grande place et ses immeubles de bureaux plus bas, conçus par l'architecte américain de réputation internationale I.M. Pei, facilitent l'établissement de nouvelles tendances architecturales au Canada dans les années 60. Le projet réalisé confirme l'importance du réseau de passages piétonniers souterrains (le premier prenant naissance à la gare Centrale du CN) pour Montréal. La phase II, qui comprend la construction de trois bâtiments plus petits, s'étend de 1963 à 1965. Des magasins, des restaurants et des cinémas sont situés sous la place. De vastes puits carrés fournissent lumière naturelle et y donnent accès. La surface unie de la tour, en aluminium et en verre, ainsi que sa forme géométrique stricte, sans ornementation, sont la manifestation de l'adhésion de Pei au courant moderne dominant du XXe siècle.

Auteur MICHAEL MCMORDIE.

Place Ville Marie, Montréal (architects I.M. Pei, with Ray AFFLECK, 1958-65), was developed as an entire city block by CN Real Estate. It was a phased development. The first to be constructed (1958-63) was the cruciform (cross-shaped) 45-storey tower, commonly called the Royal Bank Building; its grand plaza and lower office buildings, designed by internationally famous US architect I.M. Pei, helped to set new standards for architecture in Canada in the 1960s. It confirmed for Montréal the importance of the below-ground pedestrian walkway system (which had its origins in CN's Central Station). Phase II, consisting of 3 smaller structures, dates 1963-65. Shops, restaurants and cinemas are located below the plaza, and are reached by generous square wells providing daylight as well as access. The tower's smooth aluminum and glass surface and crisp unadorned geometric form demonstrate Pei's adherence to the mainstream of 20th-century modern design.

Author MICHAEL MCMORDIE.

. The Gazette.
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Still looking fine over half a century later, and still one of my favourite office towers in Canada. This was really the first "skyscraper" I remember awing me when I was young...
Still looking fine over half a century later, and still one of my favourite office towers in Canada. This was really the first "skyscraper" I remember awing me when I was young...
Yes but I think she needs to be reclad, sadly her age is showing. :)
Vous pouvez ajouter vos photos./Feel free to add your photos. :yes:
Canada has many iconic structures and PVM is one of them. It is, without question, Canada's most iconic and well known office tower, it has no rivals.
The cladding looks fine to me. Or are you just after a new look?
Canada has many iconic structures and PVM is one of them. It is, without question, Canada's most iconic and well known office tower, it has no rivals.
Them be fighting words.

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Wonderful place. I had an internship there this summer.
The cladding looks fine to me. Or are you just after a new look?
Take a look at the first three photos, at the the top of the building. Also I've noticed the odd missing window. :)
Canada has many iconic structures and PVM is one of them. It is, without question, Canada's most iconic and well known office tower, it has no rivals.
She is a grand old dame. :|
Them be fighting words.
:lol: I was wondering when someone would contest that sweeping claim! hehe....
I'd certainly place PVM in my favourite group of office towers in the country, however.
I've always found that Commerce Court South reminds me of this building cut in half. Place Ville Marie is my 5th favorite in Montreal. I remember many a time drinking in my hotel room waiting for the lady to get ready just sitting there watching the spotlight on top. Great building she is, maybe they can clean her up and and maybe change her glass. What material is it clad in? It looks the same as Commerce Court but hasn't aged as well though it is 6 years older. Then again it looks like it's the vents near the top that have gotten a little grungy.

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I've always found that Commerce Court South reminds me of this building cut in half.

Could be cuz I. M. Pei was an architect for both buildings! :yes:

I love that rotating searchlight on top

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Could be cuz I. M. Pei was an architect for both buildings! :yes:

I love that rotating searchlight on top


I didn't know that. As far as buildings in the night go it's my fav in Montreal.


http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1340/1233444487_839e1fa7a1_b.jpg
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I've always loved the search lights since I was a little boy, :drool: check out this link.http://www.rbc.com/history/quicktofrontier/360_james_street.html they used to be on the old Royal Bank Building on St.James Street. :) Click on the image below.
^^ years ago, somebody told me that the Sunlife bldg used to have PVM's searchlight, plus I've never heard anybody claim otherwise...
^^ years ago, somebody told me that the Sunlife bldg used to have PVM's searchlight, plus I've never heard anybody claim otherwise...
I tried googling it....but I could'nt find anything about the Sunlife building. :cheers:
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