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Montreal, located along the Saint Laurent River in Southern Quebec, is Canada’s second-largest city. Often renowned for its architectural diversity, its built environment reflects both its colonial past and modern evolution. As a former territory of "Nouvelle France," French language and culture remain dominant, which has in turn influenced the city's architectural character. Notably, Old Montreal features well-preserved buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries, most of which are a testament to the city’s industrial growth after the construction of the Lachine Canal. The area's heritage has been protected and restored through efforts by figures like Phyllis Lambert and organizations such as Heritage Montreal, allowing the city’s rich architectural history to coexist with its modern developments.
Montreal's multiculturalism is evident in neighborhoods like Little Italy and Little Portugal, with its diversity fueling a vibrant cultural scene. The city hosts a multitude of festivals every year, many held in open-air venues like Place des Festivals. Parc Jean-Drapeau, built for the 1967 World Expo, is another popular spot for large events while offering stunning views of the city skyline. Another relevant site is Mont Royal Hill, a park offering panoramic views of downtown and access to hiking trails, Saint Joseph’s Oratory, Beaver’s Lake, and other areas of architectural interest such as the Plateau.
Read on to discover some of Montreal’s architectural attractions, from historical landmarks to contemporary projects showcasing the continued evolution of the city's built fabric.
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Modern Montréal: Canada's City of DesignHistorical Landmarks
Notre Dame Cathedral / James O'Donnell,Victor Bourgeau
![Montreal Architecture City Guide: 15 Historic and Contemporary Landmarks in Canada’s Cultural Capital - Image 5 of 17](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/66c3/7e65/2e7d/e45a/2768/c5d4/newsletter/montreal-architecture-city-guide-15-projects-that-will-take-you-from-historic-streets-to-modern-skylines_12.jpg?1724087981)
Hôtel de Ville / Henri-Maurice Perrault , Alexander Cowper Hutchison
![Montreal Architecture City Guide: 15 Historic and Contemporary Landmarks in Canada’s Cultural Capital - Image 7 of 17](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/66c3/7dc1/2e7d/e45a/2768/c5c7/newsletter/montreal-architecture-city-guide-15-projects-that-will-take-you-from-historic-streets-to-modern-skylines_9.jpg?1724087796)
Saint Joseph's Oratory / Alphonse Venne, Dalbé Viau, Paul Bellot , Lucien Parent
![Montreal Architecture City Guide: 15 Historic and Contemporary Landmarks in Canada’s Cultural Capital - Image 8 of 17](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/66c3/7dcf/2e7d/e45a/2768/c5c8/newsletter/montreal-architecture-city-guide-15-projects-that-will-take-you-from-historic-streets-to-modern-skylines_9.jpg?1724087806)
Mary Queen of the World Cathedral / Victor Burgeau
![Montreal Architecture City Guide: 15 Historic and Contemporary Landmarks in Canada’s Cultural Capital - Image 9 of 17](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/66c3/7e34/2e7d/e45a/2768/c5d2/newsletter/montreal-architecture-city-guide-15-projects-that-will-take-you-from-historic-streets-to-modern-skylines_12.jpg?1724087878)
Farine 5 Roses
![Montreal Architecture City Guide: 15 Historic and Contemporary Landmarks in Canada’s Cultural Capital - Image 10 of 17](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/66c3/89b1/2b79/a039/62ff/b3b8/newsletter/montreal-architecture-city-guide-15-projects-to-explore-the-citys-historic-streets-and-modern-skylines_16.jpg?1724090864)
Contemporary Projects
Habitat 67 / Moshe Safdie
![Montreal Architecture City Guide: 15 Historic and Contemporary Landmarks in Canada’s Cultural Capital - Image 2 of 17](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/66c5/a03a/55d7/9901/7b2c/1eac/newsletter/montreal-architecture-city-guide-15-historic-and-contemporary-landmarks-in-canadas-cultural-capital_17.jpg?1724227692)
The Biosphere / Richard Buckminster Fuller
![Montreal Architecture City Guide: 15 Historic and Contemporary Landmarks in Canada’s Cultural Capital - Image 3 of 17](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/66c2/afa7/2b79/a001/7c39/5491/newsletter/montreal-architecture-city-guide-15-projects-that-will-take-you-from-historic-streets-to-modern-skylines_8.jpg?1724035012)
Phillips Square / Provencher_Roy
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Place Ville Marie / I.M. Pei + Dimitri Dimakopoulos
![Montreal Architecture City Guide: 15 Historic and Contemporary Landmarks in Canada’s Cultural Capital - Image 15 of 17](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/66c3/7e45/2e7d/e45a/2768/c5d3/newsletter/montreal-architecture-city-guide-15-projects-that-will-take-you-from-historic-streets-to-modern-skylines_12.jpg?1724087929)
The Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM) / CannonDesign + NEUF architect(e)s
![Montreal Architecture City Guide: 15 Historic and Contemporary Landmarks in Canada’s Cultural Capital - Image 12 of 17](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/66bb/8efa/2e7d/e421/be31/5720/newsletter/montreal-architecture-city-guide-15-projects-that-will-take-you-from-historic-streets-to-modern-skylines_2.jpg?1723567877)
Montreal Casino / Menkès Shooner Dagenais Le Tourneux Architectes + Provencher_Roy
![Montreal Architecture City Guide: 15 Historic and Contemporary Landmarks in Canada’s Cultural Capital - Image 13 of 17](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/66c2/aec0/2b79/a001/7c39/5484/newsletter/montreal-architecture-city-guide-15-projects-that-will-take-you-from-historic-streets-to-modern-skylines_7.jpg?1724034757)
Olympic Stadium and The Biodome / Roger Taillibert + Kanva
![Montreal Architecture City Guide: 15 Historic and Contemporary Landmarks in Canada’s Cultural Capital - Image 4 of 17](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/66c3/7ea3/2b79/a039/62ff/b307/newsletter/montreal-architecture-city-guide-15-projects-that-will-take-you-from-historic-streets-to-modern-skylines_12.jpg?1724088003)
The new Pavillions at the Fine Arts Museum / Provencher_Roy
![Montreal Architecture City Guide: 15 Historic and Contemporary Landmarks in Canada’s Cultural Capital - Image 14 of 17](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/66c2/b7ef/2e7d/e45e/04bb/064d/newsletter/montreal-architecture-city-guide-15-projects-that-will-take-you-from-historic-streets-to-modern-skylines_8.jpg?1724037108)
Quartier des Spectacles / Ædifica
![Montreal Architecture City Guide: 15 Historic and Contemporary Landmarks in Canada’s Cultural Capital - Image 16 of 17](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/66c3/81ce/2e7d/e45a/2768/c623/newsletter/montreal-architecture-city-guide-15-projects-that-will-take-you-from-historic-streets-to-modern-skylines_17.jpg?1724088790)
Maison des Étudiants de l'ÉTS / Menkès Shooner Dagenais Le Tourneux Architectes
![Montreal Architecture City Guide: 15 Historic and Contemporary Landmarks in Canada’s Cultural Capital - Image 17 of 17](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/66c3/81dc/2e7d/e45a/2768/c624/newsletter/montreal-architecture-city-guide-15-projects-that-will-take-you-from-historic-streets-to-modern-skylines_17.jpg?1724088808)
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