Recalling the Opening of An Iconic Expo Era Hotel

On Jan. 11, 1967, the Château Champlain Hotel opened for business at La Place du Canada, just a few months before Montreal hosted the World’s Fair, Expo 67.

At its opening, the 38-storey hotel was part of the Canadian Pacific hotel chain and was the tallest hotel in Canada.

Moreover, it was a very visible example of the ambitions of the period - a bold and celebratory optimism accompanying Canada's centennial and Expo 67.

Construction was completed in late 1966, with the official opening in the spring of 1967, just in time for Expo.

Rooms on the east side of the hotel had an unobstructed view of Expo 67

The 480-foot tower's facade included 1100 concrete panels, finished in a textured white quartz composite, with 660 of these bowed and arched to frame the Château Champlain's signature curved windows. The arched windows were intended by the designers as a visual reference to the Romanesque Revival arches of nearby historic Windsor Station.

The interior of the hotel was designed with a distinct French Canadian character, a modern blend of old and new.

The hotel's main and lower lobbies, as well as its ballroom, featured cathedral-like vaulted ceilings from which hung contemporary chandeliers. The traditional crystal ballroom, with balconies, could welcome 500 guests for a formal dinner, or 900 for dancing.

More on the 50th anniversary of the opening the Chateau Champlain from the Montreal Gazette. Check out the wonderful period pictures.