2015 - Data Points by Date/Period

Dorchester Square, originally Dominion Square, is a large urban square in downtown Montreal, covering over 21,000 m² alongside Place du Canada. It is bounded by René Lévesque Boulevard, Peel Street, Metcalfe Street, and Dorchester Square Street, and serves as a 24-hour public space that attracts significant pedestrian traffic. Initially built between 1872 and 1892, it was adorned with statues arranged to form a Union Jack and later underwent a $14-million redesign in 2010 to enhance its aesthetics and lighting.Originally, the square was a green space and meeting area that included the Catholic Sainte-Antoine Cemetery. By the late 19th century, the area evolved, becoming a prestigious address as developments like the Windsor Hotel and Mary, Queen of the World were constructed. The completion of Windsor Station and later the Sun Life Building reinforced the square's importance as a central urban hub, connecting commercial and retail districts.In 1967, the square was divided, with the southern portion named Place du Canada. After René Lévesque’s death, Dorchester Boulevard was renamed in his honor, while the northern section became Dorchester Square, named after Guy Carleton, 1st Baron Dorchester. In 2015, a Victorian-inspired fountain by Claude Cormier + Associés was installed at the northern end of the park, along with a sculpture of a pileated woodpecker.

The Marieval Indian Residential School was part of Canada’s Indian residential school system, located on the Cowessess 73 reserve in Marieval, Saskatchewan. It operated from 1898 to 1997 in the Qu'Appelle Valley, east of Crooked Lake, and 24 km (15 mi) north of Broadview.In June 2021, the Cowessess First Nation discovered 751 unmarked graves on the school grounds, the largest number found in Canada to date, according to the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN). This was the third such discovery in Canada in 2021, following 215 unmarked graves found at Kamloops Indian Residential School. Initially operated by the Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions and later by the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Saint-Hyacinthe from 1901 to 1979, the school was funded by the government starting in 1901 and managed by them from 1969. The Cowessess First Nation took over in 1987 until the school closed in 1997 and was demolished in 1999, replaced by a day school.Enrollment peaked in 1962-63 with 148 residents and 89 day students. Students had limited contact with their families, initially only allowed to visit on Sundays. Their hair was cut upon arrival, and they were assigned numbers used by staff, who were expected to 'physically dominate' the students. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada reported in 2015 that there was no comprehensive effort to record student deaths across the system. A National Residential School Student Death Register was established in 2019 with $33.8 million over three years allocated to maintain it.The cemetery adjacent to the school predates it, with graves dating back to 1885. By 2021, only an estimated third of the graves remained marked. In the 1960s, many tombstones were removed by a priest, leading to further erasure. In 2019, the Archdiocese of Regina provided $70,000 to restore the cemetery and identify the graves. The Cowessess First Nation began a search of the grounds with ground-penetrating radar in May 2021, after delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They found 751 unmarked graves over 44,000 m², though many are believed to be members of the local community, and the exact connection to the school remains unclear. The discovery was followed by further efforts to identify the graves, and by October 2021, 300 of the 751 were identified.Public reaction included statements of support from political leaders such as Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and Ontario Premier Doug Ford, along with calls for action from Indigenous leaders. Bobby Cameron, chief of the FSIN, described the schools as 'concentration camps' for Indigenous children. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau acknowledged the responsibility Canada bears for this dark chapter of its history, though many called for more than just words.In response to the discoveries in Marieval and Kamloops, several communities across Canada canceled 2021 Canada Day celebrations. Acts of vandalism and arson targeted Catholic churches in the aftermath. The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, who operated the school, announced they would release all historical documents related to their involvement.

The West Block of Grasslands National Park is a captivating section of the park located about an hour south of Swift Current, Saskatchewan, and near the village of Val Marie. Established in 1981, Grasslands National Park encompasses two main parcels: the East Block and the West Block. The park is situated on the edge of the U.S. state of Montana, adjacent to the international boundary.This area of the park is renowned for its rich natural features, including the Frenchman River Valley, which is a significant highlight. The West Block is home to a thriving population of over 300 plains bison, originally reintroduced from Elk Island National Park in Alberta in 2006. By 2015, the herd had grown substantially, demonstrating successful conservation efforts.The West Block also features prairie dog colonies and is part of an Important Bird Area of Canada, known for its diverse avian species. Visitors can enjoy the Frenchman Valley Campground, which offers serviced camping sites, teepee camping, and a cook shelter. For those seeking a more rugged experience, backcountry camping is available.In addition to its natural attractions, the park was designated a dark-sky preserve in 2009. This designation helps maintain the area's natural night environment, benefiting nocturnal wildlife and preserving the starry skies.Historical significance adds to the West Block's allure, with notable events including the discovery of Western Canada's first dinosaur remains in the Killdeer Badlands by Sir George Mercer Dawson in 1874, and Sitting Bull's refuge in the area with his Sioux followers after the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1877.The park is located in Census Division No. 4 and holds cultural importance as it is situated on Treaty 4 land, traditionally belonging to the Blackfoot people of the Canadian and American plains. In 2022, an agreement with the Métis Nation - Saskatchewan facilitated the transfer of 24 bison, further enriching the park's ecological diversity.

D1 Tower, located in Culture Village, stands as a prominent residential skyscraper, soaring to a height of 284 meters (932 ft) with 78 floors housing 526 units of various sizes. Developed by Enshaa, the tower was a joint project with Dubai Properties Group and Emirates Sunland Group, with architectural design by Holford Associates. Construction commenced in 2007, reaching completion in 2015. Though initially planned to include a spire, it now boasts a striking appearance with layered glass curtain walls and a distinctive timber canopy at its base, inspired by Dhow boat construction. D1 Tower, adjacent to Palazzo Versace Dubai, is a sister building to Australia's Q1 tower, though with its own unique features and design elements.

The Address Downtown, formerly The Address Downtown Dubai, is a 63-story, 302.2-meter-tall hotel and residential skyscraper in Dubai, UAE, built by Emaar Properties. It features 196 rooms and 626 serviced apartments, known for its proximity to Burj Khalifa and The Dubai Fountain. In 2015, a fire broke out on the 20th floor, causing injuries and prompting evacuation. Investigations later revealed an electrical short circuit as the cause. The tower underwent renovation and reconstruction, completing in 2018, following complaints from affected residents about housing and compensation delays.

Cayan Tower, formerly known as Infinity Tower, stands at a height of 306 meters (1,004 ft) with 75 stories, making it a prominent skyscraper in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Developed by Cayan Real Estate Investment and Development, the tower was designed by the architectural group Skidmore, Owings and Merrill SOM. Notably, upon its inauguration on 10 June 2013, Cayan Tower claimed the title of the world's tallest high-rise building with a distinctive 90-degree twist. However, this record was later surpassed by the Shanghai Tower in February 2015. The unique twisting design of Cayan Tower was achieved by rotating each floor by 1.2 degrees around a cylindrical elevator and service core. This design underwent rigorous dynamic analysis to ensure its stability against wind, seismic, and other dynamic loads. The tower's apartments feature reconstituted wooden floors, Chinese synthetic marble countertops, and high-quality kitchen fixtures. Additionally, the tower includes a five-story parking garage. During construction, the project faced a setback when the foundation site was flooded due to a breach in the Dubai Marina wall on 7 February 2007. After a year and a half delay, construction resumed in July 2008. Cayan Tower was officially inaugurated on 10 June 2013, marked by a grand ceremony featuring fireworks and a laser light display. This event celebrated the tower's status as the world's tallest twisted tower, surpassing the Turning Torso.

The Index, standing at 328 meters (1,076 feet) tall, is an 80-storey skyscraper located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Its unique design allocates the first four floors for service purposes, floors 5 to 29 for offices, and floors 31 to 77 for residential use. The tower features duplex penthouses on the 73rd and 75th floors, and triplex penthouses on floors 77 to 80. An innovative aspect of The Index's design is its orientation along the east-west axis, strategically shielding floors from the harsh desert sun. This architectural feature, along with extensive sun shades on the south-facing facade, helps regulate internal temperatures and reduces the need for excessive air conditioning, thereby lowering energy costs for occupants. With parking facilities accommodating 2,442 cars and recreational amenities including a swimming pool and gym, The Index offers a blend of convenience and luxury living. Notably, it received the 2011 Best Tall Building Middle East & Africa award from the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. As of December 2015, Emirates REIT, the UAE's first Real Estate Investment Trust, owned the majority of the retail space, office floors, and parking spaces within The Index.

The Marina Torch, also known as Dubai Torch, is a prominent residential skyscraper located in Dubai Marina, United Arab Emirates. Standing at 352 meters (1,155 feet) tall, it boasts 86 floors above ground and 4 below ground level. Originally conceptualized with 74 floors, the tower's design evolved over time, resulting in a structure with 676 apartments and six retail units. The tower's design includes amenities such as swimming pools, health clubs, gyms, cafeterias, aerobic rooms, and outdoor terraces. Its architecture aims to provide luxurious living spaces for residents, with apartments ranging from one to three bedrooms, as well as duplex suites. Despite its status as a residential landmark in Dubai, the Marina Torch has faced challenges, particularly concerning fire incidents. The most notable fires occurred in 2015, 2017, and 2019, resulting in varying degrees of damage. However, the building has undergone repairs and renovations, overseen by the National Engineering Bureau, the building's architect. The structure's resilience and ability to withstand these incidents, coupled with ongoing efforts to enhance safety measures, demonstrate its significance within Dubai's skyline.

The Princess Tower, standing at 101 stories and reaching a height of 413.4 meters (1,356 feet), is a residential-only skyscraper situated in Dubai's Marina district. As of September 2022, it holds the title of the third tallest building in Dubai, trailing behind the Burj Khalifa and Marina 101, and ranks as the 36th tallest building globally. From 2012 to 2015, Princess Tower claimed the title of the world's tallest residential building until it was surpassed by 432 Park Avenue in New York City. The engineering marvel of the tower was led by Syed Majid Hashmi as the Chief Structural Engineer, with Mohammad Ali Alogaily as his deputy manager. The development comprises 763 units, 957 underground parking bays spread across six floors, and eight retail outlets. Tameer Holdings, the developer, completed and delivered the building in September 2012. The Princess Tower encompasses 107 stories, including basement floors, a ground floor, and 100 levels above ground. The development boasts luxurious amenities such as an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, a fully equipped gymnasium, sauna, steam room, exercise studio, multiple games rooms, children's play area, banqueting hall, and an Observation Deck on the 97th floor with Wifi access.

In the early 17th century, during the renovation of the church complex, the original bell tower was replaced with a new, freestanding campanile, inspired by the St. Marc campanile in Venice. Erected between 1600 and 1615, this campanile stands between the church presbytery of St. George and the future baptistery. It measures 46.45 meters in height, including a rotating archangel Michael on the roof, and boasts a panoramic view from the top. The campanile houses four bells, including the oldest one dating back to 1477, which chimes every full hour. In 2015, the upper part of the bell tower underwent renovation, and two new bells were installed as a gift from a parish in Berlin. The replaced bells are now kept in the parish garden. Additionally, the bell tower's clock mechanism is considered a valuable monument of technical heritage.

2015 (77)

Other Dates/Periods

13-04-2002

03-05-2009

06-02-2015

28-11-1959

02-06-1935

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