Hilton Montreal Bonaventure
| Company type | Commercial facility |
|---|---|
| Industry | Real estate, hospitality |
| Founded | 1967 |
| Headquarters | Montreal , Canada |
Area served | Downtown Montreal |
| Products | Office space, retail space, hotel accommodations, exhibition space |
| Owner | PSP Investments and Kevric Real Estate Corporation |
Place Bonaventure () is a commercial facility located in Downtown Montreal, Quebec, Canada, situated next to Montreal Central Station. Upon its completion in 1967, it ranked as the second-largest commercial building worldwide, encompassing . It is also distinctive as one of the rare Canadian structures assigned a unique postal code prefix, H5A.
History
Initially envisioned to serve as an exhibition hall, international trade center, and hotel, Place Bonaventure spans and is constructed atop 18 CNR tracks that lead into Central Station. The building’s construction commenced in 1964 and concluded in 1967.
Exemplifying the Brutalist architectural style, its façade consists of poured-in-place ribbed sand-blasted concrete, while the interiors feature sand-blasted concrete or brick finishes.
Concordia Hall, a exhibition area within the complex, hosted its inaugural trade show in 1966 prior to the building’s full completion. This hall ceased operations in 2020 due to competition from larger venues such as the nearby Palais des congrès de Montréal.
Originally, five floors above Concordia Hall were dedicated to wholesale suppliers offering products including fashion, furnishings, and toys. Additionally, one floor accommodated offices representing major trading countries. Retail activities occupied two floors at street level. These original functions have since been discontinued.
A major renovation costing CAD$60 million was undertaken in 1998, which reconfigured the space to create expansive contiguous office areas while significantly reducing retail zones. To enhance natural illumination, windows were installed on all sides of the building.
The name derives from the former nearby Bonaventure Station. Plans for a southern extension of the complex were proposed but never executed.
Presently, ownership of Place Bonaventure is held by PSP Investments and Kevric Real Estate Corporation.
Tenants
Within the complex is the 397-room Hotel Bonaventure Montreal (previously operated as Westin and then Hilton), which boasts a heated rooftop pool accessible year-round and a 2.5-acre rooftop garden featuring trees, waterfalls, a jacuzzi, and a dry sauna. After renovations in 2018, the hotel’s meeting facilities total , including Montreal’s largest column-free ballroom () and an exhibition area spanning . Other prominent occupants include the headquarters of the Société de transport de Montréal, Fido, Cogeco radio stations, BMO Financial Group, and multiple departments of the federal government.
Access
Place Bonaventure offers direct connections to Montreal’s extensive underground city network and provides immediate access to the Bonaventure Metro station, commuter train services operated by exo at both Lucien-L'Allier and Central Station, the ARTM's downtown bus terminus, as well as intercity rail services (Via and Amtrak) available at Central Station.