Bentall Kennedy has purchased two office buildings in Montreal’s Mile End district from Mile-End Investments Inc.

The acquisition of 7250 and 7450 rue du Mile End, made on behalf of Sun Life Financial, will serve a growing technology and innovation sector in the city, and adds almost 400,000 square feet of office space to Sun Life Financial’s portfolio in Quebec.

“The Mile End district specifically has a unique creative, out-of-the-box vibe,” said Robert Dumas, president and CEO of Sun Life Financial Quebec. “That’s why we opened a new office for our employees on De Gaspé Avenue – where our IT innovation center is located – and deployed numerous initiatives to be part of this great community.”

The properties occupy a prime location at the border of the Mile Ex and Mile End neighborhoods in midtown Montreal and sit directly adjacent to the train station Parc, providing a direct connection to downtown Montreal, and within walking distance of two Metro subway stations.

“Both properties boast outstanding location in a vibrant part of Montreal, and a tenant base that exemplifies the new economic opportunities for the technology sector in Montreal,” said Phillip Gillin, executive vice-president and portfolio manager for Bentall Kennedy (Canada) Limited Partnership and Sun Life Investment Management. “This investment, combined with our acquisition of the L’Avenue retail office project adjacent to the Bell Centre, reflects our confidence in the growth and diversification of the Montreal economy.”