1 Square Phillips

Phillips Square is a public square in downtown Montreal that came into being in 1842 through a donation of land to the city by Thomas Phillips. The condition was that the property be used exclusively as a park. The square originally sat on the edge of a wealthy residential district before developing into an important commercial hub. Today it is part of the Fleuve-Montagne Promenade, a pedestrian route that links the St. Lawrence River with Mount Royal. After a comprehensive redesign in 2022, the area became a pedestrian-friendly center that highlights the historical significance of the site and reorients the space toward people rather than cars.

The area around the square is shaped by historic architecture, including the Canada Cement Building from 1921. This ten-story building was the first office building in Montreal constructed entirely of reinforced concrete, and it featured an underground parking garage that was advanced for its time. The history of the surrounding businesses is also noteworthy, as the site was once home to the city's first art gallery, before it moved to what is now the Museum of Fine Arts. A memorial stone also commemorates the victims of the 1972 Blue Bird Café fire, which took place nearby.

At the heart of the square stands a bronze monument honoring King Edward VII, donated by the Birks family in 1914. The statue, designed by Louis-Philippe Hébert, depicts the monarch, who visited Montreal in 1860 as the Prince of Wales. At the base of the monument are four allegorical figures symbolizing peace, the four founding nations, abundance, and liberty. Today the redesigned square offers wide views of the surrounding cityscape, more green space, and modern lighting that blends the historic heritage with contemporary design.