Montreal's new National Bank building breaks ground (RENDERINGS)

Ground broken on what will be the second tallest building in Montreal (RENDERINGS)

The National Bank held an official groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, kicking off the construction of what will become the financial institution’s new head office in Montreal.

According to a news release, at a cost of over half a billion dollars, the project is the largest real estate investment in Montreal in the past 25 years and marks a new milestone in the history of the bank, founded almost 160 years ago.

With its 40 floors, the National Bank’s new head office will be the second the tallest building in the city.

National Bank of Canada

The building is designed to meet the world’s strictest standards when it comes to sustainable construction, integrated designs and occupant’s health.

Over 1,000 employees attended the groundbreaking event to celebrate the beginning of the construction of their future work spaces.

The new head office building will be located at 800 rue Saint-Jacques Ouest, in the heart of the Quartier de l’innovation, and will be linked to Montreal’s Underground City.

The building will feature a large and bright entry hall, a National Bank business centre, a conference centre, a two-level cafeteria, a daycare centre, a gym, 400 bicycle parking spaces, 80 charging stations for electric cars and an outside garden on the 40th floor, at some 190 metres high.

700 Rue Saint Jacques Montreal Victoria sur le Parc

Artistic rendering of Victoria sur le Parc at 700 Rue Saint Jacques, Montreal. (Broccolini)

“We’re glad that National Bank isn’t building just a new head office in Montréal, but a tower designed to meet the strictest global standards in terms of both sustainable construction and the well-being of its occupants,” stated Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante. “Montréal proudly welcomes this new building, located at the gateway to downtown, as well as these new green spaces which will blend beautifully into our city and reflect our leadership in sustainable development.”

Construction work is expected to take four years, and be completed by the end of 2022.

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