Canadian National Railway will relocate its headquarters to a major Kevric Corporation office redevelopment in downtown Montreal.

CN will occupy the building’s first 18 floors under a 20-year lease, the companies announced Friday. The space totals about 440,000 square feet.

“CN has been part of downtown Montreal’s DNA for over 100 years,” said Chislain Houle, CN’s executive vice-president and CFO. “Maintaining our headquarters’ presence in the city’s core is integral to our identity.” 

The lease commences in 2028 but CN will begin to move certain departments in 2026.

The property, known as 600 DLG, is located at 600 De La Gauchetière West, north of Square Victoria in the International Quarter. Kevric’s announcement came after La Presse reported the deal in late March.

“This commitment by such a large organization confirms the importance of efficient, central work environments for corporations,” said Richard Hylands, Montreal-based Kevric’s president and founder. “We firmly believe in the crucial role of high-quality downtown office buildings in sustaining downtown Montreal’s role as an economic engine.”

The 600 DLG building previously served as National Bank’s headquarters. National Bank has relocated to a new tower at National Bank Place, also situated in downtown Montreal. Some employees will be based in a new nearby mixed-use building. In November, the bank purchased the 10-storey office component in Broccolini’s Victoria Sur le Par at 700 Saint-Jacques Street beside National Bank Place.

The redeveloped 600 DLG will feature the CN logo and a new name to be chosen by the railway. As part of the redevelopment, the entire building envelope will be replaced and include new, larger windows that provide more natural light, automated window shades, a new main entrance at De La Gauchetière West and Beaverton Hall and a modernized Square Victoria entrance.

CN will join existing tenants Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton, Logistec and Alten Canada, bringing occupancy to about 80%. The top five floors are still open for lease. The building is connected to Montreal’s central train station, a subway station and underground pedestrian walkway.

CN’s head office has been based at 935 De La Gauchetière West since 1961.

Rendering: Courtesy of Kevric Corporation

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