By putting a steel structure inside the shell of the ruins, architect Louis Parent was able to retain the original façade. Inspired by the city hall of Tours, France, the mansard roof uses copper instead of slate tiles. He also completely restored the original limestone exterior, which had become brittle due to the high temperatures of the fire.

To mitigate the impact of the three-year project on locals and tourists, a canvas printed with a full-scale photograph of the building was wrapped around the scaffolding. Today, Montreal City Hall is a National Historic Site of Canada and is open to the public for tours.

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Incredible Restorations Of Buildings That Were Almost Lost