These awards, presented by the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec, recognize the outstanding contributions of its members and highlight their essential role in Quebec society. JCB is honored to see this project recognized for both its innovative character and its significant contribution to advancing urban construction practices.

Located in the heart of downtown Montréal, this 28-story tower, owned by Kevric, was completely modernized while minimizing disruptions to occupants, neighbors, and surrounding traffic. Through careful planning and the integration of cutting-edge technologies, the project team successfully balanced performance, efficiency, and urban coexistence.

The transformation involved replacing the existing curtain wall with a modern, high-performance, and energy-efficient façade, featuring contemporary design by NEUF Architect(e)s and WHZM. The intervention significantly improved the building’s environmental performance, optimized occupant comfort, and met the standards of a carbon-neutral office building.

The project is particularly distinguished by exemplary construction coordination and the integration of advanced technological solutions, including the Upbrella sheltered construction system, Urban Umbrella scaffolding, and various logistical approaches deployed using a LEAN methodology. Together, these innovations greatly reduced the project’s footprint on the ground while maintaining a rapid construction pace of two floors every two weeks.

In addition to generating substantial cost savings and reducing the original schedule by 50%, this large-scale project contributed to the revitalization of an iconic downtown Montréal tower. Built in 1983, the building is now a sustainable, forward-looking asset and will soon house the future headquarters of Canadian National.

“The 600 De La Gauchetière project demonstrates that innovation can transform our cities without slowing their pace,” said Alexandre-Stéphane Boucher, P.Eng., President and CEO of JCB Construction Canada. “As engineers, we are responsible for imagining and implementing solutions that push the boundaries of what is possible for the benefit of our communities. This achievement embodies our ability to tackle complex challenges while actively contributing to building more resilient environments and advancing industry practices.”

This nomination for the 2026 Ordre des ingénieurs Awards adds to several distinctions already received by the project, including the 2026 Excellence in Innovation Award from the Canadian Construction Association and the 2025 Construire Award from the Quebec Construction Association. These honors recognize the project’s technical excellence, positive impact on the urban environment, and truly innovative nature.