A skyscraper has been built in Montreal that redefines the way we think about high-density urban development. 900 Saint-Jacques, designed by Chevalier Morales, combines the elegance of a slender silhouette with striking mineral-inspired architecture, offering a contemporary response to the challenges of a rapidly changing city centre. The building, also known as Skyla, has 63 storeys housing a hotel, hundreds of rental flats and an extensive system of communal spaces.
The architects drew on a material language deeply rooted in Montreal’s history. The skyscraper’s mineral cladding, composed of sculpted prefabricated concrete panels, echoes the character of the 1980s Place Ville-Marie business complex, the Sun Life Building and the Olympic complex. Patterns resembling interwoven fibres and cross-like motifs create a façade with a textile-like quality, which stands out in a skyline dominated by glass. Despite its impressive height, the structure gives the impression of lightness. The shifting play of light on the reliefs emphasises the subtle modulation of the surface, whilst strategically placed transparent volumes open the building up to the city.
A three-layered composition and green spaces
The skyscraper has been designed around three layers: a transparent base, a green podium and a slender tower crowned with open viewing frames. Each corresponds to a different urban context and each is linked to a dedicated green space. The ground floor, thanks to its high transparency, revitalises the surroundings and supports a garden connected to a restaurant terrace and cycling infrastructure. The podium, finished with textured concrete panels, creates suspended gardens and a clear buffer between the street and the residential section. The structure is crowned by an observation deck at the top of the building.
A new model of vertical living
900 Saint‑Jacques redefines the residential tower block as a space that fosters community. An extensive range of amenities – from gardens and terraces, through a restaurant, communal kitchen and co-working space, to relaxation areas – enhances the functionality of the private flats and supports a variety of activities around the clock.
The residential programme caters to a wide range of needs: from compact flats inspired by the principles of space-efficient design, to family flats with three bedrooms and flexible layouts. The high quality of the communal spaces compensates for the smaller floor areas, creating an attractive alternative to a traditional flat in the city centre.
Environmental efficiency
The sustainability strategy encompasses both environmental and social aspects. High-performance cladding, optimised window-to-wall ratios, locally sourced materials, water-saving systems and energy-efficient lighting significantly reduce energy consumption. The prefabricated concrete façade improves winter energy efficiency by around 25 per cent compared to a typical glass façade.
The project, which won a Canadian Architect Award of Excellence in 2025, exemplifies technical mastery and a thoughtful approach to materials. Its architecture not only addresses housing pressures but also strengthens ties with the urban fabric, proposing a new, socially oriented model for living in a high-rise.
design: Chevalier Morales, Brian Elsden Burrows, Architect – Le Groupe Architex
photographs: Maxime Brouillet
source: V2COM
See also: Skyscraper | Modernism | Canada | Minimalism | Recommended | whiteMAD on Instagram
