Montreal City Hall Architecture Essay

Montreal City Hall is a spectacular building that includes numerous commercial and service institutions designed and created by popular architects Henri-Maurice Perrault and Alexander Cowper Hutchison. The building is fashioned in such a way that it gives homage to the native country, France. Historians and researchers have often mentioned that the building was built between the 1870s and 1880s (see figure 1). The online article entitled A View on Cities helps the reader to comprehend more about the creation of the building Montreal City Hall. It comments that; “Designed by Henri-Maurice Perrault, construction of Montréal’s City Hall began in 1872 and commenced in 1878”¹

Montreal City Hall is also known as Hotel de Ville de Montreal and at present, it is established as the title of Montreal City Hall. Montreal City Hall is situated in between Place Jacques Cartier and the Champ de Mars at 275 Notre Dame Street in Old Montreal. Architects have designed the building in the French Second Empire style and later it had popularized as the Napoleon style. Analyzing the structure and style of the building, one can find that like other Montréal buildings this also changed its shape. Jean-Claude Marsan comments that; “Montreal, like any other city, is an organism in perpetual mutation and many of its streets, parks, and buildings have disappeared over the years or been transformed”²

Identification and History of Montréal City Hall

In 1922 the building was destroyed in a fire, leaving only the external wall and collapsing much of the official records. Under the leadership of Louis parents, the new building was modelled. “The building was gutted by fire in March 1922, leaving only the outer wall and destroying much of the city’s historic records”³

Analysis

Analyzing the building Montreal City Hall, my initial attention is concentrated on its huge size and exterior shape. It was really attractive and demonstrated the traditional and cultural identity of its nation. Outside of the City Hall is a beautiful fountain in Place called Vauquelin, along the Notre-Dame in Old Montreal. (See figure-2). The web article Montreal City Hall Fountains Quebec states that; “Fountains enlighten the grounds around the Montreal City Hall in Old Montreal, Quebec which is enjoyed by thousands of people”⁴

The fountain keeps its extreme beauty through its diversity and natural settings. The rain garden is a symbol of professionalism and artistic beauty. The web article entitled To Prevent Sewer Backup Due to Heavy Rain explains that; “They include installing a mainline backwater valve or safety valve, sump pump in the basement, disconnecting the gutters from the sewage system, building a rain garden, recovering rainwater and designing a driveway with the right slope”⁵.

Viewers can identify with the fact that architects have designed well the Montreal City Hall and it has numerous gorgeous places and buildings. The heart of the city, Le De Montreal is situated adjacent to the Ottawa River and St Lawrence. It is also obtained in the hill of the prehistoric volcano of Mont-royal.it is the mountain park in the centre of the Montreal City Hall. (See figure 3). The online article Montreal – Montreal guide, attractions and pictures point out that “The largest city in the Quebec Province, Montreal carries the name of Mount Royal Hill which is situated at the centre of the city. The historic centre of Canada’s French civilization entrances the visitor with its cultural diversity”⁶. When I entered the building, the sight of Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal caught my attention and it is located in the historic district of Old Montreal. One can feel the presence of a holy atmosphere while standing in front of the church. (See figure 4)

The historical importance of the church is visible in the following statement: “The sound and light show uses multimedia techniques to tell the historical, cultural, architectural and spiritual story of the Notre-Dame Basilica”⁷. The Place Jacques Cartier widely attracts people in the summer season. It paved the way for streets to keep their strength and beauty for centuries. The online article Jacques Cartier states that; “This popular plaza is located across the street from the Hotel de Ville (City Hall) and is made up of two paved streets around a central promenade”⁸

The architect perfectly designed this city hall and the interior design and artistic touch given are extremely amazing. It has included different amusement areas and the designers have given utmost care in giving maximum care in including all these. The city has a famous stadium, so it is very helpful to improve the game spirit. “The infamous Olympic Stadium in Montreal’s Olympic Park has had more than its fair share of flack”⁹. Montréal city people celebrated different and attractive festivals. One of the important and amazing festivals is the Montréal festival, International du Jazz. Designers are making try to include festival celebrating facilities. The web article How Montreal Works: Montreal City Guide permits the reader to think about the modern facilities in Montreal City Hall. It remarks; “Montreal has it all. It’s a place for fun and festivals as dozens of summer celebrations highlight everything from all that jazz at the annual International Jazz Festival to tickling your funny bone ‒ more than a few stars were born at the Just for Laughs annual comedy bash”¹⁰

The Mansard roof of the City Hall is capable to catch the attention of the viewer and its three-dimensional composition permits one to see different angles of the building. One can see that the outer cover is decorated with a mixture of both Renaissance and Baroque concepts. (See figure 5) Jean-Claude Marsan remarks that; “One feature, in elevation, which characterizes their three-dimensional composition, is the mansard roof, which constitutes a strong visual statement”¹¹

The marvellous scenery of the concert hall in the Montreal City Hall would conquer the mind of a viewer. It was formed in the early days of the municipal government. Its sprawling structure and symmetrical composition reveal the builder’s professional craftsmanship. “Its symmetrical composition and Greek revival portico (cast-iron columns from England), and tin-plated dome make it typical of the neo-classical style favoured at the time”¹².

The new structure of the Montreal City Hall was presented in a monolithic aspect and designed in a cubic shape. The astounding beauty of the outer skin is decorated with Beaux-arts, and it is highly complicated and astonishing. (see figure-6) The online article entitled Beaux-arts architecture comments that; “Beaux-arts architecture is characterized by ornate ornamentation that is based on the classical elements of Greek and Roman architecture made popular in Europe in the mid to late 19th century”¹³.

Community representation is visible in the architecture of Montreal City Hall. The conference hall, Botanical Garden and the Library reveal the perceptive of the community. The web article Community Architecture in Montreal remarks that,

“Canada, it is also important to present a more local perspective of community-based architecture”¹⁴

Montréal city has included a beautiful botanical garden and its marvellous beauty conquered my mind and soul. (See figure 7) The hothouse is too extraordinary things in that garden and sceneries of gorgeous orchids and bonsais boost up the attractions of this Montréal city. Architects have well designed this garden and this garden contains around 22,000 species of plant. “During the summer months, the many parks and gardens in Montreal offer secluded picnic areas, playing fields and colourful planting. One of the most impressive attractions in the city is the Montreal Botanical Gardens, which contain many outstanding plant specimens and areas to relax”¹⁵. The Montréal designers also developed a water preserving system. The designers designed delightful and attractive parks of varying character. The online article explained that “There are seven swimming pools respectively built for competitions, training, synchronized swimming and water polo, diving, underwater diving, warm-up, and wading for younger children”¹⁶. These parks preserve the meadow and forest ecosystem. The parks have a wide range of flora and fauna.

A web article points out that “Each of the parks listed at left has its charms and its features, some have particular means of access and some have seasonal events and attractions”¹⁷. Montréal city has caught the attention of the viewers through its internal facilities. Library hall especially the children’s library permits one to enjoy serious reading about various literature. The children’s library has conducted programs that encourage disabled children. The online article 80 Years Young and Still Going Strong! says that “Librarians offer story programs to hospitalized and handicapped children and children with special needs at sites that include The Montreal Association for the Blind, The Montreal Oral School for the Deaf, The Shriner’s Hospital for Children, the Montreal Children’s Hospital, and St. Raphael’s Center”¹⁸ (Montreal Children’s Library 80^th Anniversary 1929-2009). The botanical garden also contained the more attractive landscape garden and deferent attractive greenhouses and a collection of ancient trees, guided tours. (See figure 7) It also comprises a workshop, library facilities and dining hall. The online article Montréal Botanical Garden says that; “No matter what the season, visitors to the Montréal Botanical Garden are sure to be captivated by the colours and fragrances from around the world as they wander from the delightful Chinese Garden to the heart of the Sonoran Desert”¹⁹

Conclusion

To conclude, Montréal City Hall underlines the awe-inspiring craftsmanship of Montreal architecture. The building is noted for both its historical background and structural diversity. Its internal design and architecture explore the French tradition and culture. The Mansard roof of the City Hall is decorated with Beaux-arts architecture, and it endows with symbols of rich tradition and culture. The symmetrical composition of the City Hall keeps its rambling beauty. Fountains, botanical garden, Notre-Dame Basilica, and the Popular Plaza contribute uniqueness. Community architecture in Montreal explores the traditional and cultural diversity of Montreal architecture.

Works Cited

Beaux arts architecture. Ars Ornata. 2008. Web.

Bonsecours Market-Montreal Tour Guide. Montreal Kisk.Com. 2010. Web.

City Hall History. A View on Cited. 2010. Web.

Community Architecture in Montreal. Web.

Howell, Steve. How Montreal Works: Montreal City Guide. How stuff works. 2010. Web.

Jacques Cartier. Destination 360. 2010. Web.

Marsan, Jean-Claude. Montreal in Evolution: Historical Analysis of the Development of Montreal’s Architecture and Urban Employment. McGill-Queen’s Press-MQUP. 1990. Print.

Montreal Botanical Garden. Ville de Montreal. 2010. Web.

Montreal Children’s Library 80^th Anniversary 1929-2009. Montreal Children’s Library. 2009. Web.

Montreal City Hall. Facebook. 2010. Web.

Montreal City Hall Fountains Quebec. Canada Photos.Com. 2010. Web.

Montreal-Montreal Guide, Attraction and Pictures. Go there Guide. Web.

Montreal Parks. Montreal.Com. 2010. Web.

Montreal Quebec. 2010. Web.

Notre Dame Basilica. Destination 360. 2010. Web.

Olympic Stadium Montreal. Destination 360. 2010. Web.

Quebec, Montreal. Montreal Parks, Gardens and Montreal Arboretums. World Guides. Web.

To Prevent Sewer Backup Due to Heavy Rain. Montreal. 2010. Web.

Footnotes

1. City Hall History. A View on Cited. 2010.
2. Marsan, Jean-Claude. Montreal in Evolution: Historical Analysis of the Development of Montreal’s Architecture and Urban Employment. McGill-Queen’s Press-MQUP. 1990.
3. Montreal City Hall. Facebook. 2010.
4. Montreal City Hall Fountains Quebec. Canada Photos.Com. 2010.
5. To Prevent Sewer Backup Due to Heavy Rain. Montreal. 2010.
6. Montreal-Montreal Guide, Attraction and Pictures. Go there Guide.
7. Notre Dame Basilica. Destination 360. 2010.
8. Jacques Cartier. Destination 360. 2010.
9. Olympic Stadium Montreal. Destination 360. 2010.
10. Howell, Steve. How Montreal Works: Montreal City Guide. How stuff works. 2010.
11. Marsan, Jean-Claude. Montreal in Evolution: Historical Analysis of the Development of Montreal’s Architecture and Urban Employment. McGill-Queen’s Press-MQUP. 1990.
12. Bonsecours Market-Montreal Tour Guide. Montreal Kisk.Com. 2010.
13. Beaux arts architecture. Ars Ornata. 2008.
14. Community Architecture in Montreal.
15. Quebec, Montreal. Montreal Parks, Gardens and Montreal Arboretums. World Guides.
16. Montreal Quebec. 2010.
17. Montreal Parks. Montreal.Com. 2010.
18. Montreal Children’s Library 80^th Anniversary 1929-2009. Montreal Children’s Library. 2009.
19. Montreal Botanical Garden. Ville de Montreal. 2010.