MONTREAL/May 10, 2005—
Concordia received an exceptionally large gift today – a historical building
courtesy of TD Canada Trust. The building, which stands at the corner of Guy and St. Catherine streets has operated as a TD branch since 1903, and is set to play an integral role in Concordia’s expansion plans.
“This donation is one of the ways we wanted to give back to Quebec, and Canadian students as a whole, in recognition of TD’s 150th anniversary,” says Christine Marchildon, Senior Vice President TD Canada Trust. “TD is committed to supporting youth and education, so we’re pleased this gift will promote continuing education, as well as Concordia’s vision to expand and revitalize this neighborhood.”
Concordia’s President and Vice-Chancellor, Frederick Lowy, welcomed the donation saying, “This magnificent structure has been a part of Montreal for more than a century and now it becomes the latest addition to the rapidly expanding Quartier Concordia. In fact, it stands at the heart of the Quartier itself.”
Quartier Concordia is a planning project that aims to better define the urban environment that encompasses Sir George Williams Campus. It seeks to harmonize the institutional, commercial and residential components of the area, and to involve the participation of various levels of government.
Opened in 1903, the Bank of Toronto building was one of the first commercial projects of Ross and MacFarlane. The firm drew their inspiration from the Knickerbocker Trust Company Building conceived four years earlier in New York by the celebrated architects, McKim, Mead and Whyte. Considered a modern classic of its time, the construction was modeled on the Temple of Zeus in Agrigento, ca. 480 BC.
TD Canada Trust will continue to operate a branch in the building by leasing the space from Concordia.
Building renovations will begin in 2005 with students expected to begin using the new space in 2006.
For more information, please contact:
Jacques Filteau
Global, communication marketing inc.
Tel: (514) 282-1220
email: jfilteau@global-maximage.com
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Source :
Tanya Churchmuch
Senior Media Relations Advisor
Concordia University
