Download 100 years ago… - Edifice Sun Life

Summer 2014 - Volume 11, no 1
Tenant Newsletter
100 years ago…
At the turn of the 20 th Century, the Sun Life Assurance
Company of Canada, located in Old Montréal since it
was founded in 1891, made the bold decision to move
its Head Office north to Dorchester Street (now called
“boulevard René-Lévesque”). This decision resulted
in the migration of a portion of the business section,
which until that time was established along rue
Saint-Jacques, where the major banks are located.
On May 13, 1914, the cornerstone of the Sun Life Building was laid at
the site where an old cemetery had been converted into a public
space in 1872, and renamed “Dominion Square 1”. At the heart of this
new area – the most prestigious district in the city – nestled amidst
churches and Victorian-style homes, the Square saw the erection of
prestigious new buildings, most notably the Sun Life Building, which
took its place alongside the Dominion Square Building, Windsor
Station (the new Head Office of Canadian Pacific) and the Windsor
Hotel, the place to be for the movers and shakers of the time and
a meeting place for businessmen, politicians, artists and members
of high society. Dominion Square was the ideal location for public
gatherings in both summer and winter.
Construction of the Sun Life Building in the southeastern part of
the square began in 1914, replacing the YMCA building, which
had been demolished. Designed by Toronto-based architects
Darling, Pearson and Cleveland, and completed in 1918, the Sun
Life Building rose six stories high and housed the Company’s 750
employees. The building has undergone two expansions: first
between 1923 and 1926, during the post-WWI boom; and again
between 1928 and 1933, when the Sun Life Building became the
“biggest building in the British Empire.”
One century later, this architectural gem continues to dazzle,
meeting the highest environmental and technological standards
while retaining its historical splendour. In many respects, the
numerous upgrades over the years have required demonstrations of
engineering prowess, even if only to allow conduits, wiring, optical
fibres, and other components to pass through its walls. Today, the
Sun Life Building, a fixture of the Montréal landscape, reminds us
that those who built it a century ago were visionaries whose desire
was to leave an impressive legacy.
1The southern section of the Square was renamed “Place du Canada” in
1966-1967, and the rest of Dominion Square has been called “Dorchester Square”
since 1987.
© Hudson Historical Society
© Financière Sun Life © Héritage Montréal
View of the YMCA building on Dorchester Square before demolition.
The Sun Life Building in 1918.
Conference centre
Have you visited our conference centre since the recent renovations? This fresh and luminous venue
now represents a brand new work space. The contemporary Italian furniture combined with traditional
mahogany and oak pieces creates a warm and understated decor. A kitchen remains available
to occupants who wish to organize receptions and business lunches. In addition, a variety of rooms
in different sizes are available to satisfy all of your specific needs, from the large conference room
to rooms for smaller groups. The conference centre is equipped with state-of-the-art technology.
For more information, please contact Monique Paré by phone, at 514 393-7720, or by e mail, at
[email protected].
The Bentall Kennedy LP
team at your service!
Please feel free to contact us if you have
any requests or if you need information.
Main telephone number: 514-393-8820
Main fax number: 514-393-9820
Service calls
Sandra Bourbonniere
514-393-8820, extension 2525
[email protected]
LEASING DIRECTOR
Bernard Charland
514-393-7719
[email protected]
Property Manager
Ryan Zamestrieus
514-393-7715
[email protected]
Assistant Property Manager
Mathieu Meloche
514-393-7710
[email protected]
Tenant Services Coordinator
Nicole Bordeleau
514-393-7725
[email protected]
General Maintenance Assistant
Lucie Richard
514-393-7723
[email protected]
Conference Centre Agent
Monique Paré
514-393-7720
ConferencesMontreal@
bentallkennedy.com
Security
Tel.: 514-393-7700
Fax: 514 393-7703
Mtl_bmo_security_operations@
bentallkennedy.com
Sun Life Building parking facility
Vinci Park
514 393-8820, extension 2554
Parking and showers
for cyclists
Safety of existing buildings
New regulation in effect
The Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ) Safety Code includes a
new regulation that came into effect on March 18, 2014, aimed at
improving the safety of occupants of existing buildings and those
circulating nearby. The new rules were established in response to the
recommendations of the coroner who conducted an investigation
after a concrete block broke loose from the 18th floor of a building
in downtown Montréal and killed a young woman in 2009.
Of course, we did not wait for the adoption of this regulation,
which specifically targets the facades of high-rise buildings that
are exposed to inclement weather. For many years, the structures
of the Sun Life Building have been inspected annually by building
professionals and architects, who have access to a team of spidermen. More than 10 years ago, we added a preventive maintenance
program to our continuous maintenance program, which focuses
on major renovation projects, such as refinishing the joints and
consolidating the exterior, including the cornices, bases, balustrades,
balconies, capitals, corner joints, steps and facades.
Bentall Kennedy and the Sun Life Building:
A 10-year partnership!
Bentall Kennedy is proud to have served as the property
management company for the Sun Life Building for the past
10 years. Providing quality service has always been our daily
mission. Every day, a team of 80 individuals works tirelessly to
create an exceptional working environment at the Sun Life Building.
Summer is back, and many
employees in the Building are
cycling to work. For their convenience,
we provide 116 free bicycle parking
spaces at the loading dock level
(Mansfield Street entrance), along
with showers on the 7th Floor.
Please respect the
no-smoking zones
When the nice weather arrives,
we all enjoy spending more time
outdoors. For the comfort of the
majority, please comply with the
smoke-free zones around the main
stairways and the entrances to the
Building. Ashtrays are provided, so
please help make these zones both
“smoke-free” and “butt-free”!
Yoga classes
There is still time to sign up for the
yoga classes offered by Jennifer
Kruibdos, a certified instructor.
The classes are held in Suite 1020
Recycle, clean & reorganize
Summer is here: Vacation time is just
around the corner!
As the days grow longer and the path from the kitchen to the patio
sees increased traffic, the temperature rises and the barbecue is in
constant use, our heads start to fill with thoughts of vacation. Before
you leave work to head for the beach, a hike in the mountains
or new destinations to discover, why not spend a late afternoon
before a lengthy break organizing and sprucing up your work area?
Random items and papers have a habit of accumulating. Join with
your colleagues in a single-minded frenzy of activity: Go ahead!
Make your office look like new!
Winning parents
Catherine Jutras from Sun Life
Financial and Ugo Barrette
from Industry Canada were
this year’s winners of our
annual Mother’s Day and
Father’s Day drawings.
(10th Floor) on Tuesdays at 12:00 noon
and Thursdays at 8:00 a.m. and
12:00 noon, and are available at
a reduced rate for tenants and
employees of the Sun Life Building.
For more information or to sign up,
please call Jennifer at 514-207-9549.
You can even try one class for free!
Important dates to remember
June 24
Saint-Jean Baptiste Day
(statutory holiday)
July 1
Canada Day
(statutory holiday)
July 9
Frozen treats served in
the Building lobby
September 1 Labour Day
(statutory holiday)