KPMG Tower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids KPMG Tower |
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| General information | |
| Status | Complete |
| Type | Office |
| Architectural style | Postmodern |
| Location | Montreal, Quebec Canada |
| Coordinates | 45°30′15″N 73°34′15″W / 45.5041°N 73.5708°W |
| Completed | 1987 |
| Owner | [1] |
| Height | |
| Roof | 146 m (479 ft) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 34 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | WZMH Architects |
The KPMG Tower is a tall building, also known as a skyscraper, located in downtown Montreal, Canada. It has 34 floors and was finished in 1987. The building is 146 meters (about 479 feet) tall.
This tower has had a few names over the years. It was first called Maison des Coopérants, then Place de la Cathédrale. Today, it is known as the KPMG Tower. A company called BentallGreenOak owns and manages the building.
The KPMG Tower was built on land that belongs to the Christ Church Cathedral. This church is right in front of the tower. The building was designed by a company called WZMH Architects. They made sure its style matched the nearby cathedral.
Inside the tower, there is an underground shopping center called Promenades Cathédrale. This mall is part of Montreal's famous underground city. It connects to the Metro (subway) system, making it easy to get around.
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What is the KPMG Tower?
The KPMG Tower got its first name, Maison des Coopérants, from its main tenant at the time. You can still see this old name carved in the lobby. Later, it was renamed Place de la Cathédrale. In 2005, it became the KPMG Tower. This new name came from KPMG, a big company that now uses many floors in the building.
How the Tower and Cathedral Connect
A very interesting part of the KPMG Tower's story is how the Promenades Cathédrale shopping mall was built. This mall is located right under the existing Christ Church Cathedral. Imagine the church floating in the air! That's what it looked like during construction.
Workers carefully removed the soil from under the church. They placed the cathedral on top of strong cement pillars. This made it seem as if the church was hovering while the mall was built beneath it. Sometimes, the building management shows exhibits in the mall. These exhibits display photos and information about this amazing construction process.
Because of this special design, the cathedral no longer has a traditional basement. The church now uses a space on the third floor of the tower's east side for activities that would normally happen in a basement.
Shopping and History at the Tower
When the shopping mall first opened, it had three floors. The lowest floor was mostly a food court where people could eat. Later, this food court floor was changed. It became a second level of parking for cars.
Near the tower and church, there is a small park. In this park, you can find a memorial to Raoul Wallenberg. He was a brave person who saved many lives during World War II. The memorial includes a statue of Wallenberg and a metal box that looks like a barbed-wire gate.
The KPMG Tower also appears in the 1989 film Jesus of Montreal by Denys Arcand. It is shown during a scene called the Temptation of Christ. This shows how important and modern the tower was in Montreal during the late 1980s. It also highlights its unique connection to the church.
Who are the Main Tenants?
The KPMG Tower is home to several important companies and organizations. It holds the main offices for Gildan Activewear, a company known for clothing. The professional services firm KPMG has many offices here.
Other tenants include the law firm Blake, Cassels & Graydon and the insurance company Empire Life. The offices for the Anglican Diocese of Montreal are also located in the tower.
