History

Then and Now

During the second half of the 19th century, you would find a row of three-storey terraced houses made ​​of gray stone, typical of the period architecture of Dominion Square on the grounds of today’s prestigious Le 1000. Later on, the south side of the square transformed into a commercial neighborhood during the 20s and so these charming houses were converted into shops, restaurants and hotels. Afterwards, they were demolished in the early 60s to make room for the construction of Place Bonaventure.

Thirty years later, the construction of a new commercial building started in the area. Inaugurated in 1992, Le 1000 De La Gauchetière with its 232 meters height became and continues to be to this day, the highest skyscraper in Montréal. It stands as high as Mount Royal, emblem of our city and as stated by the development plan of the city, no building can surpass its height. Le 1000’s strategic location places it  in the heart of downtown and nearly 45 000 commuters pass through  its halls every day.

The design of Le 1000 De La Gauchetière integrates seamlessly with the cultural heritage of the area because of its architectural nods to surrounding buildings. The copper elements of the domes at the four corners evoke the Mary Queen of the World Cathedral, itself inspired by Rome’s St. Peter's Basilica. Also, the roofs of its semi-spherical pavilions mimic the neo-Roman style windows of the Marriott Chateau Champlain hotel, who in turn were inspired by the arches of the Windsor Station.

Since its construction, an agreement with the owners of the land, the Archdiocese of Montreal, was concluded; Le 1000 De La Gauchetière was given a strong public purpose which is respected through the installation of public initiatives such as the impressive Atrium Le 1000 skating rink as well as the many urban and contemporary benches found in the lobby.

The beautiful rink in the building’s Atrium has known a popular success within the community. It hosts over 200,000 visitors each year, and more than half glide across the ice! Here, young children learn to skate, families celebrate birthdays, and school groups come to visit during daytrips. In addition, generous contributions of free tickets are distributed regularly to various organizations that come in aid to children and families.

On with the show!

Over the years, Le 1000 has hosted countless events that proposed surprising emotions for its guests. The building is continuously changing and will continue to renew its efforts to satisfy its clients. Numerous prestigious corporate events have taken place at Le 1000 and special guests that have passed through our venue include the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, the Gala Métrostar, mayors, prime ministers and various celebrities. Even Celine Dion has graced us with an impressive performance!

In recent years, the property management team at Le 1000 has decided to limit the hosting of large events on its premises in order to respect the privacy of its tenants.

In constant evolution

The building is continually investing in the innovation and modernization of its facilities. Recent major changes have taken place over the last decade with the renovation  of the food court, the installation of a new cooling system at the skating rink, the installation of generators that provides  complete energy autonomy when needed, the conversion of the mezzanine level into leasing space, the modernization of the winter garden and the inauguration of the new event venue known as Le Hall. Also,  during Le 1000’s 20th anniversary celebrations held in 2012, a new brand was introduced and new signage was installed. Let’s see what other projects the future holds in store!

A Groupe Petra Managed Property:

Groupe Petra owns and operates one of the largest portfolios of office and mixed-use properties on the Island of Montreal. Groupe Petra's portfolio includes more than 10.2 million square feet of leasable area in 53 properties across the greater Montreal area, Quebec City and the greater Toronto area. Visit groupepetra.com.