Price Building, Quebec City

The Édifice Price, also known as the Price Building, is an 18-story skyscraper in Quebec City, constructed between 1928 and 1930. It's the tallest building in the Old Quebec historical district and one of Canada's oldest skyscrapers. It features a sculpture called "L'Homme-Rivière" by Quebec City artists Lucienne Cornet and Catherine Sylvain. In 2001, it became the official residence for the Premier of Quebec on two of its upper floors.

Despite initial criticism, Édifice Price is now praised as an architectural gem that blends well with its surroundings on a narrow 24-meter (79-foot) lot. The building has 18 floors: 15 for corporate use, 2 for the Premier's suite, and the top floor for mechanical facilities. Note that retrofit floors aren't visible externally, and two elevators provide access to all floors, one of which is used for freight.

Édifice Price was designed in the Art Deco style that was prevalent during its construction period, mirroring the neighboring Clarendon Hotel, whose expansion had been completed a few years earlier. The design incorporates setbacks, a gradual reduction in floor area as the building ascends, resulting in the distinctive elongated "wedding cake" shape. This feature boosts aesthetics, reduces structural loads, and softens the building's impact on the city's skyline.

The Price Building stands out with its tall, narrow design, reminiscent of Finnish Art Nouveau architect Eliel Saarinen. Unlike other city buildings like Château Frontenac, which widen upwards, the Price Building has a distinctive bulkiness. It features stone cladding with geometric patterns on the lower levels and a classical Châteauesque-style copper roof at the top. The design draws from Beaux-Arts architecture, evident in decorative elements like palm motif pilasters, pinnacles, and a grand vaulted arch at the main entrance.