The mayoress of Montreal and the Quebec Minister of Culture inaugurated a completely transformed and enlarged Maisonneuve library on Friday, after three years of work.
Two contemporary wings have been added to the century-old building and the latter has been completely renovated to adapt the institution to the real needs of the population of this neighborhood in eastern Montreal.
” It was time ! We were in a hurry, we were in a hurry, we were in a hurry, rejoiced Valérie Plante. It’s happening today. »
It is “a place which is public, which belongs to everyone, which is thought for everyone”, she added. For me, it’s very, very representative of Montreal and the way we think about culture and the arts. »
“Libraries must not be perceived as inaccessible places of knowledge. We want it to be full. We want it to be calm, but not all the time! It’s the fun when there is animation, when there is life. We are not in the libraries of the 1950s,” said the Minister of Culture, Mathieu Lacombe. “I invite all Montrealers to take advantage of this architectural gem at the center of the community because it’s there for them. »
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PHOTO PATRICK SANFAÇON, THE PRESS
“The new Maisonneuve library integrates contemporary elements into the original structure in order to make the monumental aspect and its beauty coexist with comfort and technology”, indicates the City of Montreal.
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PHOTO PATRICK SANFAÇON, THE PRESS
The public artwork Rain Boots, by Clément de Gaulejac, in front of the facade of the library
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PHOTO PATRICK SANFAÇON, THE PRESS
The century-old building was built to house the town hall of Maisonneuve, at the beginning of the 20e century
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The new Maisonneuve library offers 230 seats, multiple rooms for different audiences and gardens. It was designed by Dan Hanganu, whose last project it was before his death in 2017, as well as EVOQ Architecture.
The project, including the development of the surroundings of the building, cost 42.6 million.
An open house will be held on June 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The library will officially open on June 13 according to the regular schedule, indicates the City of Montreal in its press release.