• For the first time since it opened, images of the new Desjardins office space in the Montreal Olympic Tower have been released to the public.
• The new design pays homage to the tower's history and integrates modern amenities with the original, soaring architectural details.
• Visit MTLBlog for more headlines.

Standing mostly empty for over 30 years, Montreal's Olympic Tower finally has a tenant. Architectural firm Provencher_Roy transformed the once vacant concrete slab into a vibrant,  functional, modern office space with lounges, multi-purpose rooms, and coffee counters that accommodates 1,000 employees of the Desjardins Group. For the next 15 years, Desjardins will house its call and administrative centres in the Olympic Tower and for the first time since its opened, architects have pulled back the curtain and invited us inside.

Designed with the intention to promote "exchanges and creativity," the Tower office spaces synthesize ultramodern interior designs with the original concrete structure of the tower, maintaining the history of the building. 

"It was a privilege to work on such an exceptional site that represents so much in the collective imagination," said Julien-Pierre Laurendeau, interior designer at Provencher_Roy. 

"Our design strategy has been to showcase the spectacular architectural character of the Montreal Tower, still imbued with the Olympic spirit." 

One of the biggest challenges that faced the architectural firm was how to bring more natural light to the enclosed concrete spaces.

An ingenious plan came together by carefully removing the concrete slabs and replacing them with a glass curtain wall that covers 60% of the facade. 

[rebelmouse-image 26886856 photo_credit="St\u00e9phane Br\u00fcgger | Provencher_Roy" expand=1 original_size="800x1200"] Stéphane Brügger | Provencher_Roy

There are several references to the history of the Olympic Stadium peppered throughout the office space including murals and an orange roof in the reception lounge.

The office space is harmonized with the original features of the Olympic Tower, which includes exposed concrete support beams that punctuate the original brutalist building design. 

[rebelmouse-image 26886857 photo_credit="St\u00e9phane Br\u00fcgger | Provencher_Roy" expand=1 original_size="800x661"] Stéphane Brügger | Provencher_Roy

According to Provencher_Roy, the office space "creates for Desjardins employees a strong sense of belonging, transforming the development of a workplace into a real living space."

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Some of the tower's main features include a sprawling 150,000 square-foot office space, several multi-functional conference rooms, an auditorium, a 400-seat dining room, six entertainment areas, and a fitness centre. 

[rebelmouse-image 26886858 photo_credit="St\u00e9phane Br\u00fcgger | Provencher_Roy" expand=1 original_size="800x507"] Stéphane Brügger | Provencher_Roy

[rebelmouse-image 26886859 photo_credit="St\u00e9phane Br\u00fcgger | Provencher_Roy" expand=1 original_size="800x461"] Stéphane Brügger | Provencher_Roy

If you're not a Desjardins employee, you likely won't ever get to see the office space up close and personal, but you can visit the Olympic Tower and check out its new renovations! 

The tower is "more than a symbolic place that was once dedicated to the Olympic Games," says Provencher_Roy.

"The Montréal Tower is now an indelible mark on the collective imagination."

[rebelmouse-image 26886860 photo_credit="St\u00e9phane Br\u00fcgger | Provencher_Roy" expand=1 original_size="800x537"] Stéphane Brügger | Provencher_Roy

Montreal is a city known for its stunning architectural designs and the Desjardins office in the Olympic Tower is one of the newest and most exciting locations in the city! 

Make sure to check out the Olympic Tower and all the new renovations around Montreal's Olympic Park this summer!