Important Canadian buildings stand as a testament to the nation’s longstanding status as a global leader in talent, technology, and creativity. This list of monumental buildings has been curated by experts at Lenmak and Construction Global and consists of everything from skyscrapers to immaculately-designed cathedrals.
18 Famous Canadian Buildings That Captivate Architects
1. CN Tower
Practically synonymous with Toronto, this looming tower was constructed in the 1960s amid a major construction boom in the city. As skyscrapers rose to unprecedented heights, existing communications towers struggled to get their signals around the city. The CN Tower solved that problem — and gave Canada its most recognizable structure, one of the tallest in the world.
Architects: John Andrews, Roger Du Toit, Web Zerafa Menkes Housden Partnership
Completed: 1976
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Known For: World’s tallest free-standing structure for more than 34 years.
2. Parliament Buildings
Canada’s original Parliament Buildings exemplified the Gothic architectural style. When those structures were largely routed by fires in 1916, architects John A. Pearson and Jean-Omer Marchand lent their services towards redesigning the complex in a manner representative of that original style.
Today, the structures on Parliament Hill are about as iconic as Canadian heritage buildings get.
Architects: John A. Pearson and Jean-Omer Marchand
Completed: 1928
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Known For: Canada’s seat of power.
3. Notre-Dame Basilica
The province of Quebec is home to numerous famous Canadian buildings that showcase its French Catholic roots. The Gothic Revival-style Notre-Dame Basilica is among the most impressive of these.
It has ranked among Canadian heritage buildings since 1989 and is truly a sight to behold, with its intricate ceiling and stunning stained glass windows.
Architect: James O’Donnell
Completed: 1829
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Known For: Exemplary Gothic Revival architecture, historical significance.
4. Confederation Bridge
Canada’s geography and climate present many challenges for construction professionals to overcome. Architect Jean M. Muller designed Confederation Bridge, a multi-span post-tensioned concrete box girder, to link Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick.
It’s the world’s longest bridge built over icy waters — a very Canadian feat, to say the least.
Architect: Jean M. Muller
Completed: 1997
Location: Boden-Carleton, PEI and Cape Jourimain, New Brunswick
Known For: Canada’s longest bridge and the world’s longest bridge over icy water.
5. West Edmonton Mall
The next entry on our list of important Canadian buildings is a gargantuan shopping mall in Edmonton, Alberta. West Edmonton Mall is North America’s largest. In addition to that impressive feat, it houses the world’s second-largest water and amusement park in the world.
The postmodern structure sees upwards of 30 million visitors annually — twice as much as Disneyland.
Architect: Maurice Sunderland
Completed: 1981
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Known For: North America’s largest shopping mall.
6. St. Joseph’s Oratory
St. Josephs’s Oratory is another testament to Montreal’s French Catholic roots. Just like the CN Tower was constructed to solve a city’s growing pains, this church was constructed to house a congregation that had outgrown its original chapel nestled in the slopes of Mount Royal.
The resulting Italian Renaissance structure has been Canada’s largest church ever since. Problem solved!
Architects: Alphonse Venne, Dalbé Viau, Lucien Parent, Dom Paul Bellot, and Emilien Bujold
Completed: 1967
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Known For: Canada’s largest church and the home of a statue of Saint Joseph commissioned by Pope Pius X.
7. Canada Place
Canada Place, located on Vancouver’s Burrard Inlet waterfront, has often been referred to as the Sydney Opera House of Canada. While it’s not hard to see why, the structure still has plenty of its own architectural provenance.
It features five fibreglass ‘sails’ rising 90 feet into the air and houses many community and recreational activities.
Architects: Zeidler Roberts Partnership, MCMP & DA Architects + Planners
Completed: 1985
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Known For: Architectural beauty, local charm; every day at noon, the building chimes the first four notes of the national anthem for virtually everyone in downtown Vancouver and nearby to hear.
8. Monique Corriveau Library
At first glance, one might expect the Monique-Corriveau Library to blast off into outer space at any moment. It’s an odd design for a library — let alone a church, which is what the structure actually was until 2013.
As part of the structure’s conversion into a library, architects actually added rectangular glass extensions. The original design was so forward-thinking, though, that you’d hardly know these were added in decades later.
Architects: Jean Marie-Roy (original), Dan Hanganu and Côté Leahy Cardas Architects (conversion)
Completed: 2013
Location: Quebec City, Quebec
Known For: Unique shape.
9. Chateau Frontenac
The Chateau Frontenac is another gem within Quebec City. Its origins lie in the 19th century when the Canadian Pacific Railway firm was constructing numerous monumental and distinctive hotels.
These Canadian historical buildings, referred to as “grand railway hotels,” draw from various architectural styles: Chateauesque and Victorian are this structure’s influences.
Architect: Bruce Price
Completed: 1893
Location: Quebec City, Quebec
Known For: Its beauty and status as Quebec City’s tallest building from 1924 to 1930.
10. Habitat 67
Habitat 67 is one of the most adventurous and iconic apartment complexes in the world, let alone Canada. Architect Moshe Safdie crafted it while studying at McGill. It makes use of prefabricated concrete ‘modules’ stacked as high as 12 per section.
Today, Habitat 67 stands as one of Montreal’s most iconic buildings, one unlike most people have ever seen before or since.
Architect: Moshe Safdie
Completed: 1967
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Known For: Unique concept and beloved, albeit sometimes controversial, design.
11. Montreal Symphony House
It’s no accident that Montreal is home to some of the most iconic Canadian buildings. The city’s rich culture has made it a home for modern and historical structures alike.
The Montreal Symphony House fits neatly into the former category. SNC-Lavalin (a Canadian icon in its own right) was the project’s general contractor.
Architect: Jack Diamond
Completed: 2011
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Known For: Housing the Montreal Symphony Orchestra and Metropolitan Orchestra, among many.
12. Sharp Centre for Design
If you’re going to build a structure for architecture faculty, you better make sure it’s distinctive. The Sharp Centre for Design is certainly that. It is recognized as one of Toronto’s five most influential buildings and houses OCAD U’s Faculty of Design.
Architects: Will Alsop, Robbie/Young + Wright Architects Inc.
Completed: 2004
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Known For: Distinctive look and architectural significance in Toronto.
13. Art Gallery Of Ontario
Mere steps from the Sharp Centre for Design, the Art Gallery of Ontario has been said to resemble a spaceship made from crystals. The building quite literally reflects the city around it.
Architects: Numerous over the years; its latest iteration is the work of Frank Gehry.
Completed: 2008
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Known For: Housing the world-renowned Art Gallery of Ontario.
14. Banff Springs Hotel
The Banff Springs Hotel is another grand railway hotel from the 19th century. As with the Chateau Frontenac, this building draws from various styles, namely Chateauesque and Scottish baronial. It is nestled within Banff National Park and overlooks Mount Rundle.
Architects: Walter S. Painter, Bruce Price, and John Orrock
Completed: 1888
Location: Banff, Alberta
Known For: One of Canada’s most popular grand railway hotels.
15. Chan Centre for Performing Arts
The Chan Centre for Performing Arts is, by design, one of the most dynamic buildings in Canada. Many portions are integrated with nature, allowing the structure to showcase the various hues characteristic of Canadian seasons.
Architects: Bing Thom Architects and Artec Consultants
Completed: 1997
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Known For: Architectural beauty and being the product of what was the largest private donation accepted by a Canadian cultural institution at the time.
16. Canadian Museum of History
One thing you should have a deep appreciation for by now (if you didn’t already) is Canada’s rich history. The Canadian Museum of History sees more visitors per year than any other museum in the country — and the artifacts aren’t just on the inside.
The centrepiece of the museum is a Grand Hall showcasing the nearby Ottawa River and Parliament Hill. Within the hall lies what is believed to be the world’s largest colour photograph.
Architects: Douglas Cardinal
Completed: 1980s
Location: Gatineau, Quebec
Known For: Housing Canada’s most popular museum.
17. Science World in Vancouver
Rounding out our list, we have two more stunning buildings in Vancouver. The first of these is the jaw-dropping Science World in Vancouver, the centrepiece of which is a massive dome made from 15,000 pounds of aluminum.
Architects: Bruno Freschi
Completed: 1985
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Known For: One of Vancouver’s most iconic buildings.
18. Vancouver Public Library (Central Library)
Moshe Safdie, the mastermind behind Habitat 67, also designed this structure, reminiscent of the coliseum. As if the structure itself wasn’t stunning enough, it also has a “secret garden” on its rooftop, part of a recent $16.8 million expansion.
Architect: Moshe Safdie
Completed: 1995
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Known For: Housing the Central Library of the Vancouver Public Library system. It also has an extremely distinctive design.
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