Helena, Montana – In the heart of historic downtown Helena, the prominent “Lion Building” at 314 N. Last Chance Gulch stands as a testament to the city’s commercial evolution. While its current name is well-known, its history reveals a story intertwined with a nationally recognized retailer and distinguishes it from another, older downtown structure also adorned with leonine figures.
The story of the Lion Building begins in 1920, the year of its construction. An early and significant tenant of this new structure was the F.W. Woolworth Company. The popular five-and-dime store occupied the location at 314 N. Main Street (the precursor to Last Chance Gulch) from 1915 to 1927, indicating it was a primary occupant when the new building was completed. This suggests that for a significant period in its early history, the building was known to locals as the home of Woolworth’s.
Over the decades, the building has housed a variety of businesses. Today, it continues to be a hub of commercial activity, featuring retail spaces on the ground floor and a mix of professional offices on its upper floors. Recent renovations have seen the first-floor retail space transformed into The Corridor Retail Floor, connecting Last Chance Gulch to Fuller Street.
At The Lion Building we believe that being a member of the community means giving back in a substantial way. While our journey as the new owners has just begun, we’re doing what we can to contribute to Helena and the surrounding communities.
Since August of 2025 The Lion Building has donated:
