As an icon of Moncton’s prosperity, it was imperative to revitalize the building’s status. In keeping with a modern approach begun in the 1960s, but applying today’s sustainable design principles, an aluminum and glass building was developed; the “Glass House” lives once again.
A fixture of downtown Moncton since its original construction, the former CN Terminal Centre has undergone a dramatic revitalization. The project received an Award of Merit from the Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick, recognizing its bold reinterpretation of a local landmark through the lens of sustainability and adaptive reuse.
The design stripped the structure back to its durable concrete frame, then rebuilt it with precision. New precast concrete beams and slabs fill the voids between perimeter columns, shifting the façade outward beyond the structural grid. This strategy delivered an updated urban frontage at 1234 Main Street and a practical increase in leasable area, while reducing the building’s exposed envelope—an important move in boosting energy efficiency.
Inside, the overhaul extended far beyond surface treatments. A new centralized energy plant introduces high-efficiency gas boilers and modern electrical infrastructure, dramatically enhancing performance. A prominent south-facing SolarWall further elevates the building’s environmental credentials, harvesting passive solar energy to ease winter heating demands.
Now offering approximately 16,000 square feet per floor and a total footprint of 120,000 square feet, the Terminal Centre reflects a strategic balance of preservation and innovation.
