Guardian Building

Architect

Skyscrapers of second generation


This building was built after the new municipal bill of 1901 that limits commercial skyscraper's height at 10 floors or 130 feet. This regulation was in force until 1923 and marked the second generation of skyscrapers in Montreal. In addition to the height, another characteristic of this generation of skyscrapers is the division into three parts of the facade. The first part, one to two floors generally offers larger windows and a different facade materials. The second part between the second and eight or ninth floor shows smaller windows close to each others, very regular. The third part usually includes the top two floors and marks a break in the rhythm of the front with an horizontal line and often a decoration more pronounced of windows.


Works cited, references and bibliography

Répertoire d'architecture traditionnelle: Les Hôtels Les immeubles de bureaux , 1983

Vieux-Montréal : Le patrimoine en détail