Restored at a cost of $211 million, Montreal City Hall reopened its doors on Friday, after five years of work. The heritage building has been meticulously renovated to regain its former glory and accommodate more natural light. The construction site will allow a better reception of the public at the “citizens’ house”, in particular, with access to the terrace.
“This is the most important heritage restoration project in the history of Quebec, after that of the National Assembly,” said Mayor Valérie Plante on Friday during the inauguration ceremony which marked the end of a vast project undertaken in 2019. “I am moved, excited,” she said.
The ground floor, with entrances overlooking Place Vauquelin and Rue Gosford, once contained a large marble counter, which Montrealers knew well since it was there that they could pay their taxes or their infractions. This floor has been completely redeveloped for a better reception of the public. It will notably have a café and a room, called the Hall of Arms, for holding public events, such as meetings of the City’s permanent commissions.
General de Gaulle’s balcony
On the first floor, the ceiling, chandelier and skylights in the main hall were cleaned and restored. In the municipal council chamber, the five stained glass windows created by the workshop of John Patrick O’Shea were refurbished, and the councilors’ and mayors’ desks were rebuilt to make the premises more comfortable and universally accessible. The crucifix that once adorned one of the walls of the council chamber was not put back in place and was instead installed in the museum space, located on the ground floor.
Located at the rear of the building, the terrace which offers a view of downtown Montreal and part of Mount Royal will be accessible to the public. A room with contemporary lines called the Pin-Blanc room was built to replace the tent that was set up there every summer.
On the second floor, the room providing access to the balcony where former French President Charles de Gaulle launched his famous “Long live free Quebec!” », on July 24, 1967, will be reserved for protocol activities and will be called the Salle de la Francophonie. The public will still be able to take a look at the illustrious balcony since it is included in the city hall tour program. ” That’s not a spot has selfiesbut we still want it to be more accessible to those who make visits,” explained Mayor Plante.
Construction site surprises
“We opened up spaces. We brought in some light,” said architect Menaud Lapointe, who worked on the project with the firm Beaupré Michaud et Associés. The construction site held several surprises. In certain rooms, old moldings were discovered behind the gypsum and they were restored, noted Mr. Lapointe. “Under the carpets, we discovered marble borders which we were able to highlight. Windows had been boarded up behind walls, making the office spaces much more opaque. »
Several craftsmen from traditional trades, such as blacksmiths, cabinetmakers, master glassmakers and plasterers, were called upon to carry out this complex project.
Decarbonization efforts and the conversion of heating equipment to electricity have made it possible to reduce the building’s energy consumption by 80%, maintains the City.
Valérie Plante admits to feeling a little lost when a week ago she returned to city hall, after five years spent in the Lucien-Saulnier building. “I need to find my bearings. What struck me on day 1 and has continued to strike me every morning is the light that enters the city hall in a much greater way. »
As for the Lucien-Saulnier building, which the City planned to sell in 2013, it will remain in the municipal domain, said Émilie Thuillier, responsible for infrastructure and buildings on the executive committee. “We discovered a building which is extraordinary. We made the decision to keep him. » Municipal employees will return to occupy the premises shortly, and the City plans to carry out renovations there in the coming years.
The public is invited to rediscover the town hall on Saturday, during an open house which will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.