Iconic Montreal Olympic Tower is Retrofitted to Become Canada's First Building Equipped with FARS

When it opened in 1987, the Montreal Tower was heralded as an architectural and engineering landmark, soaring 547 feet above the city’s Olympic Stadium, and providing spectacular views of the entire Greater Montreal region.

More recently, the Montreal Tower also became a landmark of safety. Building contractor Groupe SCV, Inc. of Montreal retrofitted the tower with FARS —making it the first building in Canada to be equipped with this life-saving technology.

The FARS retrofit was part of a three-year, $200 million (USD OR CANADIAN?) renovation of the structure. The project was completed in 2019.

According to Jean-Francois Arbour, president of the mechanical and electrical contractor Groupe SCV, the project was a truly unique experience. “The Montreal Tower is the tallest inclined tower in the world, with a 45-degree angle,” said Arbour. “By comparison, the Leaning Tower of Pisa only tilts five degrees. So, you’ve got some very interesting angles and spaces. That said, the FARS fits extremely well into an existing structure—even one as distinct as this.”

Vive la sécurité!