Massive circular building facade extends into Montreal’s iconic skyline – Montreal

From the 1000 De La Gauchetière building to the famous Farine Five Roses sign, Montreal’s skyline is full of iconic elements.

However, his latest addition is sparking divided reactions.

“It’s the ugliest building I’ve ever seen,” said Old Port resident Robert Kline as he strolled along the Lachine Canal.

“It’s the first thing you see when you arrive in Montreal. I can’t believe the city gave them a permit to build so close to the Farine Five Roses sign.”

Standing 18 stories tall, the massive, circular white façade of the new Haleco skyscraper is so prominent that it can be seen from across the river on the South Shore.

On the north face, a blue and green mirror circle overlooks the Bonaventure Expressway. This one is flanked by a large wolf painted on windows.

For Jasmine Renaud, a resident of Griffintown, seeing the progress of the work is surprising.

“I saw a nice building under construction, then I saw all the colors and circles and it was a little too artistic for the neighborhood,” Renaud said.

Wanting to round out the contours of the buildings in Montreal’s Place, artist Marc Seguin says it’s a dream to see his art come to life alongside such established architecture in Montreal.

“I think I still pinch myself every day when I see him,” Seguin said.

Seguin says that as with any work of art, he understands that if not all Montrealers adhere to his work, that’s completely normal.

“I’m assaulted every day by ugly architecture, so in that sense I understand. It’s human nature to be afraid of change,” Seguin said.

According to the real estate agency behind the multifunctional space, Cogir, the design has meaning and symbolism.

“The representation of the she-wolf evokes a community rooted in all civilizations, while the round circle symbolizes a central gathering point highlighting the circular economy, a core value of the Haleco project,” said spokesperson Brigitte Pouliot.

The project’s facade design was approved by the city’s executive committee in April last year, according to city officials.

The building, which consists of residential apartments, offices and retail, is designed to be carbon neutral when completed.

It is presented as the urban infrastructure of the future.

Work crews are also using renewable building materials to construct the high-rise complex.

The project includes more than 300 apartments rented at market value and will include dozens of subsidized places reserved for affordable and social housing.

Developers and the mayor hope the sustainable lifestyle the building is designed to embrace will serve as a model for future projects in the city.

The complete façade and landscaping of the project are expected to be completed by late fall.

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