1000 de La Gauchetière

Infobox Skyscraper
building_name = Le 1000 de La Gauchetière

| built = 1992
use = Office
location = Montreal, Quebec Canada
roof = 205 m (673 feet)
top_floor =
antenna_spire =
floor_count = 51
floor_area =
elevator_count =
architect = Lemay & Associates, Dimakopoulos & Associates
skyscraperpage_id = 7078
emporis_id = 112378

The (Le) 1000 de La Gauchetière is a skyscraper in the Canadian city of Montreal and the tallest building in the province of Quebec. It is named for its address at 1000 De la Gauchetière Street West in the city's downtown. It rises to the maximum height approved by the city (the elevation of Mount Royal) at 205 m (673 ft) and 51 floors. A popular feature of this building is its atrium which holds a large skating rink.

The building's architecture is similar to that of the JPMorgan Chase Tower in Dallas, Texas, USA, but with the street-level architecture projecting out in a distinct style, reducing the visual and psychological impact of the entire building from this viewpoint. Such details are features of postmodern architecture.

Height

To be precise, the tower is Montreal's tallest if measured to the roof; the 1250 René-Lévesque (IBM-Marathon Building) and the Tour CIBC possess spires that exceed 1000 de La Gauchetière in height, but the buildings themselves are shorter. Also, when viewed as part of the skyline, 1000 de La Gauchetière appears from certain angles to be shorter; this is because it is built on lower ground, allowing it to be taller while still obeying height restrictions.

History

The building was designed by Lemay & Associates and Dimakopoulos & Associates architects, and built in 1992 at the same time as the nearby 1250 René-Lévesque which rises at 47 floors. It is an example of Postmodern Architecture, with a distinctive triangular copper roof as well as four copper-capped rotunda entrances at the tower base corners. Those were inspired from the Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral on the north side of the building, following the trend set by Place de la Cathédrale (Tour KPMG) of Montreal skyscrapers borrowing some of their design from that of the nearest church. Also, the semi-spherical corner caps mirror the shape of the half-circular windows of neighbouring Marriott Château Champlain hotel, which were themselves inspired by the arches of the adjoining Windsor Station.

When it was built, 1000 de la Gauchetière was owned jointly by Bell Canada Enterprises and Teleglobe. In 2002, SITQ, a division of the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDP Capital), bought the building for $184 million CAD.

Construction

Inside, the structural core is of concrete, with steel making up the rest of the floorplates. It is serviced by 22 elevators, and its recessed corners allow up to twelve corner offices per floor. In addition to its office space and shopping areas, it includes a full-size indoor skating rink, a physical fitness center, a major bus terminal (the Downtown Terminus) serving RTL city and commuter buses to Longueuil, Brossard and other South Shore communities, and links to other underground city buildings, Central Station and the Bonaventure metro station.

Gallery

ee also

*List of tallest buildings in Montreal
*List of skyscrapers This has a list of top skyscrapers in the world

External links

* [http://www.le1000.com Official website]
* [http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=112378 Emporis datasheet]
* [http://www.skyscraperpage.com/cities/?buildingID=7078 SkyscraperPage datasheet]
* [http://www.imtl.org/montreal/building/1000-de-la-Gauchetiere.php 1000 de la Gauchetière; Image Montreal datasheet]