A new space in the heart of downtown
2 minutes
Montreal centre-ville
Montréal centre-ville
Montréal centre-ville
Thanks to major investment on the part of Ivanhoé Cambridge, Esplanade Place Ville Marie has undergone an impressive metamorphosis—a transformation that’s been a significant contributor to reviving the downtown area as a whole.
Revitalizing the heart of downtown was Ivanhoé Cambridge’s mission with Projet Nouveau Centre, a project that included major construction particularly on the Eaton Centre and Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth hotel.
Representing an investment of more than one billion dollars over four years, the project has also included the revitalization of Place Ville Marie (PVM).
“Our intention was to reinstate the vision of the original architects by creating a large public space that would permit large gatherings in the heart of downtown,” states Annik Desmarteau, Vice-President of the Quebec offices of Ivanhoé Cambridge.
A select destination for unique experiences
After lending their innovative point of view to the renovation of the Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth hotel, Montreal firms Sid Lee Architecture and Menkès Shooner Dagenais LeTourneux were tasked with transforming the face of PVM.
“Most of the time the plazas of corporate buildings are thought of merely as paved squares; people rarely consider the idea of giving them more vitality,”explains Jean Pelland, Senior Partner at Sid Lee Architecture.
This quest for revitalization was realized through the installation of a new food court in a unique location: within PVM’s 7,000-square-foot glass pavilion.
The indoor garden, bathed in light and lush with vegetation, aims to be a premiere destination offering a variety of culinary options and a pleasing atmosphere. At the same time, Esplanade PVM was redesigned to host cultural and special events programming.
A space promoting creativity and collaboration
Works from MAC’s collection have already had a public showing in the space.
“It’s a magnificent site, located between skyscrapers and the mountain, providing exquisite lighting, and the ideal backdrop for admiring artwork outdoors,” explains Desmarteau.
In the coming months, Ivanhoé Cambridge is preparing to announce details of an art installation project coming to EsplanadePVM, through the financial support of the Government of Quebec via Tourism Montreal and the Metropolitan Montreal Chamber of Commerce.
Esplanade PVM is destined to become a must-visit waypoint for resident Montrealers and visiting tourists alike.
For the area’s workers, it’s also a new environment created to promote collaboration and creativity, particularly through the installation of islands for socializing.
“People in the nearby office towers will be able to benefit from events linked to their activities,” adds Pelland. “Place Ville Marie is a cornerstone of the downtown core, the cornerstone of the entire business sector, and its esplanade should reflect that importance.”
