Héritage Montréal, shaping the metropolis’ DNA for 50 years! For Montreal, for you.
Exhibition
Initiatives to preserve Montréal’s heritage date back to the 19th century with a string of successes, such as the protection of Mount Royal and the Château Ramezay, saved in 1890. Demolitions in the 1970s prompted citizens to join forces and create Save Montréal. In 1975, Héritage Montréal, under the presidency of architect Phyllis Lambert, was founded to encourage and promote the protection of the historical, architectural, natural, and cultural heritage of communities in Quebec, a mission that is still relevant today.
Discover this free outdoor exhibition presented by Héritage Montréal and the Château Ramezay – Historic Site and Museum of Montréal, just steps from Place Jacques-Cartier, on Le Royer and Saint-Claude streets (alongside the Governor’s Garden), on view until November 2, 2025.
A heartfelt thank you to the team at the Château Ramezay for making this exhibition possible.
Héritage Montréal, Preserving Heritage for 50 Years
ArchitecTours
From August 2 to September 28, 2025, Héritage Montréal welcomes the public to its new edition of ArchitecTours. In this unique year of celebrations, explore with our volunteer guides how the idea of conserving heritage has evolved as you tour Milton-Park, downtown, the Lachine Canal, Maisonneuve, Mile End and Mile-Ex.
From the threat of demolition to adaptive reuse, our tours take a fresh look at the past 50 years and reflect Héritage Montréal’s exceptional commitment to the city.
Discover our 5 original tours and buy your tickets
This activity is presented with the support of La Caisse, as well as through the Entente sur le développement culturel de Montréal between the Ville de Montréal and the Gouvernement du Québec, and the Government of Canada’s Young Canada Works Program. Thank you!
Education
The pilot project “Mon patrimoine de quartier, une histoire à explorer” (“My Neighbourhood Heritage: A Story to Explore”) offers in-class activities and guided outings around the participating schools.
The educational material was designed and adapted to reflect the architecture, geography and history of each neighbourhood, and has so far been implemented at Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption Elementary (Hochelaga-Maisonneuve), Sainte-Odile (Ahuntsic-Cartierville), and Sainte-Bibiane (Rosemont).
Radio-Canada journalist Philippe-Antoine Saulnier visited the students to talk with them about what they learned and discovered about their local heritage.
This activity is offered free of charge thanks to the financial support of La Caisse and a private foundation.
Learn more about the school project
For 50 years, education—and especially raising awareness among young people about the many facets of Montréal’s heritage—has been at the heart of Héritage Montréal’s mission. As early as 1979, the organization partnered with the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts to develop activities for youth and schools. Over the years, through various partnerships, initiatives such as Archibus and Quartiers de la diversité have followed, along with family workshops in Little Burgundy and, more recently, educational activities for elementary students that inspire young people to discover the architectural heritage around them.
Hydro-Québec Berri 2
Hydro-Québec is rethinking its plans for the Berri/Ontario site following public outcry — and the former Miséricorde Hospital has emerged as a new possibility.
Decommissioned by the government in 2002, this heritage complex stands out for its historical, architectural, and social significance. Recently, the City of Montréal used its “Bill 31 superpowers” to authorize a real estate project involving multiple demolitions, a 90-metre residential tower, and some community components. Hydro-Québec’s scenario would maintain public ownership of the site, but raises concerns. How will this technical facility be integrated into the neighbourhood and coexist with other desired uses for the site? Will heritage once again be sacrificed to make up for a lack of planning? Hydro-Québec will need to explain how it intends to help repurpose this historic site, and how the OCPM consultations, the promised design competition, and future site management will ensure a viable and exemplary outcome. In short, details and commitments are expected.
« Ça va demander un peu de talent et de fermeté de la part de l’arrondissement » de Ville-Marie pour éviter qu’un grand immeuble soit construit à cet endroit, dit M. Bumbaru.
Ce dernier presse la Ville de mettre en place des mécanismes plus efficaces pour prévenir la dégradation et protéger du risque d’incendie les bâtiments d’intérêt patrimonial de la métropole.
Citoyens et organismes s’inquiètent de l’avenir du site de l’ancien hôpital de la Miséricorde maintenant qu’Hydro-Québec songe à y construire son futur poste électrique au centre-ville de Montréal. Ils pressent la société d’État d’être plus transparente quant à ses intentions.
Occupé par Woolworth entre 1910 et 1970, l’immeuble accueille ensuite Jean Junction, Yellow et Bedo. Les ateliers de confection sont transformés en entrepôt pour le détaillant de meubles voisin, Valiquette. L’édifice perd un étage en devanture à la fin des années 1950. La façade est recouverte de tôle quelques décennies plus tard.
Les recherches minutieuses d’Héritage Montréal mettent sur la piste les architectes, qui localisent la pierre grise d’origine sous le revêtement!
Récemment, une coalition de groupes LGBTQ+ fonde l’organisme Espace LGBTQ+ afin que celui-ci prenne en charge avec succès un processus d’acquisition du bâtiment. Ce projet matérialise un rêve vieux de 30 ans: enfin établir un lieu rassembleur dans le quartier!
Grâce à l’expertise de la firme Rayside Labossière, l’immeuble sera bientôt réhabilité tout en affichant avec fierté ses nouvelles couleurs.