Leonard Cohen Mural — Attraction in Montreal

Leonard Cohen mural, affectionately known as "Tower of Songs", on Crescent Street, Montréal:

🎨 What & Where

A massive 21‑storey (≈10,000 ft²) portrait of Leonard Cohen, featuring his iconic fedora and hand over his heart, with his "Unified Heart" symbol in the background .

Located at 1420 Rue Crescent, right on Crescent Street in downtown Montréal (Ville-Marie borough) .

🖌️ Artists & History

Painted in 2017 by El Mac (US street‑portrait master) and Montréal’s own Gene Pendon, commissioned by MU as part of its “Tribute to Montréal’s Great Artists” series .

Based on a 2008 photo taken by Cohen’s daughter, Lorca Cohen, and Cohen himself symbolically approved the concept before he passed .

💡 Lighting

The mural is permanently illuminated at night (since 2019), with red hues over Cohen’s hand creating dramatic highlights .

🌆 Why It Matters

Recognized as Montréal’s largest mural, it has quickly become a city landmark and Instagram favorite .

It's visible from several key viewpoints: on Crescent Street, from the Mount Royal Observatory, and even from the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts’...

Visiting the Leonard Cohen mural in Montréal was truly a beautiful experience. It’s a stunning tribute to an incredible artist and a meaningful addition to the city’s skyline. The mural captures Cohen’s spirit perfectly — it feels peaceful, reflective, and full of character, just like his music. Standing there and taking it in, you can really feel the love and pride Montréal has for him. Definitely a must-see for any fan or anyone visiting the city!

Would you like a few more variations depending on the vibe you want (shorter, more emotional, more casual)? was truly a beautiful experience. It’s a stunning tribute to an incredible artist and a meaningful addition to the city’s skyline. The mural captures Cohen’s spirit perfectly — it feels peaceful, reflective, and full of character, just like his music. Standing there and taking it in, you can really feel the love and pride Montréal has for him. Definitely a must-see for any fan or anyone...

It is a tourist attraction. For those who knew Leonard Cohen as a writer, poet, song writer and singer, while visiting this place, it is okay to listen with your wireless headphone "But it's not a crime that you're here tonight It's not some pilgrim who claims to have seen the Light No, it's a cold and it's a very broken Hallelujah." He is the glory of Montreal. The best place to enjoy this mural is from the Museum of Fine art. For those who like to enjoy the other song tracks while walking, going uphill along museum street, stop on Pine street to look south, there will be a full view of the mural immersed in downtown Montreal. For those who liked to go up even higher to another level, take the staircase of Peel to the Mont Royal lookout, search the mural with a bird's view and discover more of Montreal in Leonard Cohen...