Place Ville Marie Esplanade to undergo a $200 million makeover

Place Ville Marie is getting a major makeover.

Global real estate company Ivanhoé Cambridge announced today that it is investing $200 million to revitalize the Esplanade and renew the commercial space at Place Ville Marie.

“Place Ville Marie is the heart of downtown Montréal,” said Bernard Poliquin, Ivanhoé Cambridge Senior Vice President, in a release. “The Esplanade will be one of Montreal’s major urban gathering locations. The Esplanade will be programmed with cultural and experiential activities rivalling those of the great international metropolises.”

CNW Group/Ivanhoé Cambridge

Ivanhoé Cambridge has partnered with Montreal firms Sid Lee Architecture and Menkès Shooner Dagenais Létourneux Architectes for the project.

The four main projects to be undertaken are:

Creation of a glass pavilion to replace the Esplanade’s four existing skylights and to offer a striking entrance that provides access to the new shopping destinations and to Montreal’s underground city
The creation of a grand staircase connecting the Esplanade to the central axis of McGill College Avenue with the relocation of parking entrances
Renewed commercial offering and a new and improved dining experience
The replacement of the façades of 2, 3 Place Ville Marie

“Our primary goal is for this civic space to be a catalyst for downtown social activity,” said Jean Pelland of Sid Lee Architecture, in a statement. “Given the importance of this iconic space, we sought additional exposure to urban activity, making it more accessible and usable. Our major architectural interventions are in line with this desire for great openness.”

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