1250 René-Lévesque
| Company type | Office skyscraper |
|---|---|
| Industry | Commercial real estate |
| Predecessor | IBM-Marathon Tower |
| Founded | 1992 |
| Founder | IBM, Marathon Realty |
| Headquarters | Montreal , Canada |
Area served | Montreal commercial district |
| Products | Office space |
| Owner | Oxford Properties |
Number of employees | Approximately 1,000 (IBM staff relocated) (1992) |
| Website | 1250renelevesque |
1250 René-Lévesque, once known as the "IBM-Marathon Tower," ranks as Montreal’s second tallest skyscraper, featuring a roof height of 199 meters and reaching 226.5 meters when including its spire. While Montreal’s National Building Code does not count ornamental spires in official height measurements, the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) does, designating this structure as the tallest in the city by CTBUH criteria.
This office skyscraper, comprising 47 floors, was completed in 1992 following designs by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates. The $250 million development, undertaken from 1988 to 1992, was spearheaded by IBM alongside Marathon Realty to centralize IBM’s Montreal operations, transferring approximately 1,000 staff from Place Ville Marie.
Situated in downtown Montreal, the tower visually delineates the commercial district from the predominantly residential western neighborhoods. Its design draws inspiration from KPF’s Westend Tower in Frankfurt, Germany. The building neighbors the Bell Centre and Windsor Station and offers direct connectivity to both the Bonaventure metro station and Montreal’s extensive Underground City network.
Architecture
The architectural style of the tower is a fusion of postmodern and neo-modern elements. Distinct differences characterize its east and west elevations: the west side, facing residential zones, is clad in granite with square windows and features irregular setbacks; conversely, the east facade presents a sweeping glass curtain wall overlooking downtown, imparting a light and suspended visual quality. A north-facing spire rises an additional 31 meters above the roofline, aligning with the elevation of Mount Royal's summit.
Internally, the building boasts a four-story atrium that includes a bamboo winter garden, dining facilities, and meeting rooms designed to create an inviting atmosphere. It maintains direct links to both Montreal’s Underground City and Bonaventure metro station.
Location and urban integration
Initially positioned at the periphery of downtown Montreal, urban expansion has since enveloped 1250 René-Lévesque within a broader commercial zone. Surrounding lower-rise structures produce a stepped visual progression that directs sightlines toward the tower from the central business district.
Tenants
Prominent occupants encompass IBM, Air Liquide Canada, PwC, Deutsche Bank, PSP Investments, among others specializing in finance, technology, and consulting industries.
- Air Liquide Canada
- Bayer
- BMO Harris Bank
- Canaccord Financial Inc
- Chubb Corp.
- CIBC Wood Gundy
- Credit Suisse
- Deutsche Bank
- EquiSoft Inc.
- International Cospas-Sarsat Programme
- Insight Enterprises
- Langlois Lawyers LLP
- LASIK MD
- Lazard
- Macquarie Group
- McKinsey & Company
- Merrill Lynch Canada
- Michael Page International
- PSP Investments
- PricewaterhouseCoopers
- Richardson GMP Limited
- Wells Fargo Equipment Finance
Former tenants
- From 1995 until 2011, the 47th floor housed Club Privé 47 Inc, which operated as a swinger club.