The world's tallest inclined tower was born from a secret deal

Music · Published 19 October 2026 · Updated 20 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Montreal's Olympic Stadium, nicknamed "The Big O," is a masterpiece of Organic Modern architecture. Yet, its iconic retractable roof and world-record tower were the result of a clandestine agreement, a construction strike that left the venue unfinished for the 1976 Games, and a decades-long financial saga.

Designed by French architect Roger Taillibert, the stadium was intended to mimic plant and animal forms, featuring 'vertebral structures with sinews or tentacles.' To achieve its signature retractable roof, Taillibert designed a 165-metre (541 ft) tower—the world's tallest inclined structure. However, the project was fraught with secrecy; Mayor Jean Drapeau struck a private deal with Taillibert to build the venue, which only became public knowledge in 1972.

The construction was plagued by 'anarchic disorder' following a strike by the Conseil des métiers de la construction union. The site remained stalled until a secret deal was struck between the Quebec Premier and the union leader. Despite this, the stadium opened in 1976 in an unfinished state because the tower and roof were not completed on time.

Stored within a Marseille warehouse, the components remained idle until 1982, while the 66-tonne Kevlar structure became operational only in 1987. The venue became a notorious 'white elephant' due to escalating costs. Originally projected at CA$134 million in 1970, the price ballooned to CA$1.1 billion by 1976. To recoup the debt, the Quebec government introduced a special tobacco tax in 1976, which finally paid off the stadium's costs in 2006. Today, the stadium faces a complex future; while demolition is considered 'unthinkable' due to the Metro running beneath it, a modernization project is underway to reconfigure the seating and install a new roof by 2028.

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