The recent remodelling of Esplanade Place Ville Marie (PVM) in downtown Montreal has transformed the plaza for modern times, while being strongly influenced from its last redevelopment in the 1980s.

Designed by Sid Lee Architecture (Sid Lee), and executed in collaboration with Menkes Shooner Dagenais LeTourneux Architectes, the main work conducted in the project was the reconfiguration of the Esplanade’s connection to the underground network, the modernization of its shopping mall, and the renovation of the entrance halls.

The project highlights the plaza as an important gathering space. It is part of a broader plan to revitalize Place Ville Marie (PVM), driven by investment from Ivanhoé Cambridge, and the redevelopment of all public spaces, from Robert-Bourassa Boulevard to Mansfield Street, and Rene-Levesque Boulevard to Cathcart Street.

The last redevelopment of the plaza was carried out in the 1980s to give the Esplanade the appearance of a large garden. This time, the firm returned to the space’s primary function and esthetics, drawing its influences from modernist principles, such as the infinite grid and the free flow of the urban platform. The approach and final concept were presented to the famous original designer, Henry N. Cobb, who expressed enthusiasm for this new vision.

This principle guiding every aspect of the redevelopment proposed by the architects was to make the Esplanade visually and physically accessible. “We accepted from the outset that recreating the public square was going to require some real finesse, and the primary objective was to preserve spatial continuity, while multiplying opportunities to create places of socialization,” says Jean Pelland, architect and partner at Sid Lee.

Based on this principle of continuity, the architects founded their approach on the pre-existing idea of an oversized slab on which buildings are placed. The minerality and fluidity of this layout hold other benefits; the open spaces are conducive to hosting events and the occasional transformation for new public activation programs.

Paramount in the transformation is the reopening of the periphery of PVM. Lined with stairs around the buildings, the public square invites circulation between the street and the interior. “Now linked to the central axis of McGill College Avenue by a monumental staircase, the Esplanade PVM opens up a remarkable view on Mount Royal,” says Yves Dagenais, architect and senior partner at Menkès Shooner Dagenais LeTourneux Architectes. This connection is enhanced by the Ring, a monumental installation by CCxA, framing the emblematic view.

The staircase, including an embedded access ramp, creates a direct link that ensures fluid movement between the street and the raised public space. The large entrance to the underground parking lot that previously favoured vehicular crossings was moved aside to welcome foot traffic.

Once punctuated by four modest skylights, the venue now boasts a massive horizontal glass structure, according to Sid Lee, possibly one of the largest in North America. The reflective effect created by this glass pavilion is reminiscent of the water basins typical of the public squares of the modernist era. This seemingly floating structure provides direct access to the Cathcart Restaurants & Biergarten in the heart of the underground gallery. “The extraordinary 4.8-m (16-ft)-high glass pavilion is supported by 18 glass beams. It not only houses the food court, but also beautifully blurs the boundaries between inside and outside, contributing to the life of the public square,” says Dagenais.

The return to a uniform materiality permeates the entire architectural landscape, bringing together public areas and buildings. The choice of materials and the arrangement of forms reaffirm the idea of a universal layout, a foundational concept of PVM. Evident even in the Esplanade’s tiling, this grid links the towers visually and underscores the importance of the character of this project to the heart of the city.

The renewed Esplanade PVM is a refreshed version of what it once was, now easier to navigate, socialize in, and enjoy.

Other collaborators on the revitalization project were general contractor, Pomerleau; structural engineers, NCK Inc.; electromechanical engineer, Bouthilette Parizeau (BPA), lighting consultant, Lightemotion; project manager, JAJKO; and glass specialists, Seele and Techniverre.