Montréal’s skyline plots a biography of the city. Architecture is a living testimony of the city’s development and at the same time, its determination to preserve its magnificent structural inheritance without losing pace with its contemporaries.

For more than a century, Montréal was the industrial centre of Canada. Buildings like factories, warehouses, mills and refineries were widespread. Unlike other modern cities where the iron ball shows no mercy to pave the way for the next chapter of nation progress, Montréal does not subscribe to this school of thought.

Old Montréal, just south-east of downtown, still retains many aged buildings in their original form, like the Notre-Dame Basilica, Hotel de Ville and the Marche Bonsecours, in recognition of their fine legacy of both historic and architectural interest. Architecture that has seen better days and cobbled streets evoking memories of the city’s earliest days as a settlement have been maintained or restored.

Today, 365 years after its founding, Montréal is one of North America’s oldest and best preserved historical cities.

Yet, amidst 18th and 19th century Victorian manors and churches stand modern skyscrapers. Strange bedfellows they make, yet this fascinating fusion, with a resolve coursing through to keep the old while creating the new (as if grand plans for the city’s future would buckle under the weight without a foundation), forms a perceptive metropolis of futurism.

Demonstrations of such handsome hybrids can be found skin-deep in boutique hotels such as Hôtel Godin, a crossbreed of sleek minimalism and cool Art Nouveau, epitomized in cold cement ceilings and a fantastic curving staircase.

In Hôtel Le St James, one of Montréal’s most ornate Victorian buildings, classical music wafts through the air and chandeliers lavish a dignified glow on the Greek columns and Oriental wall blossoms, casting an inquisitive eye on the classic Italian Renaissance moldings and English antique chairs.

Montréal’s first and biggest boutique hotel, the regal Hôtel Place d’Armes, is a mélange of three 19th century buildings whose architecture recalls a time of utmost devotion to craftsmanship and detail, while its interior is a seamless integration of classic urban chic peppered with modern art. Given its esteemed cultural value and exceptional design, the Quebec provincial government officially designated the building as a historic site in 1975.

The city seems to have a penchant of commemorating milestone events with architecture. For Expo 67—highly regarded as a landmark moment and much-feted as a great achievement in Canadian history—architect Moshe Safdie designed a housing complex called Habitat 67.

The concept behind the 1967 project was to integrate the variety and diversity of private homes scattered all over the city within the economics and density of a modern apartment building that defines space by means of modular, interlocking concrete forms. The visionary residential idea was considered groundbreaking for modern habitats and the landmark still has occupants today but the units have ironically become expensive rather than affordable owing to its architectural cachet.

Said Patrick Boyer, a highly acclaimed designer and illustration wizard, of Expo 67’s impact on the city: “Montréal has always been rich in culture and history — not only in art and design — but in every aspects of daily life. It’s a vibrant city with an abundance of activity and relatively low cost of living. All this makes Montreal an ideal environment for artists to live and create. Expo 67 introduced Montreal to the world as a new “It” city and since then, its been considered one of North America’s most creative environments. It’s far from perfect, yet the euro international mix of bohemia, glamour and art gives the city its distinctive charm.”

In 1992, Montréal celebrated its 350th anniversary by commencing construction on two new skyscrapers. One of them is Le 1250 Boulevard René-Lévesque. The other is 1000 de La Gauchetière, also named after its address.

At 673 ft and 51 floors, the spectacular design of Lemay & Associates and Dimakopoulos & Associates architects is not only the tallest building overseeing the city, it is a prime example of postmodern architecture.

What’s also remarkable about the tower is its distinctive triangular copper roof and the four copper-capped rotunda entrances at the tower base corners took inspiration from the Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral nearby. Apparently, this is a practice stemming from Place de la Cathédrale, where Montréal’s skyscrapers borrow aspects of their design from the nearest church.

It is a sign of respect perhaps, or a nod to Montréal’s historical background as a centre of Catholicism in North America. The many church steeples that dot the city have led to its nickname “La Ville Aux Cent Clochers” (The City of a Hundred Bell Towers).

Mark Twain was known to have remarked: "This is the first time I was ever in a city where you couldn't throw a brick without breaking a church window."

The city has four Roman Catholic basilicas: Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral, the Notre-Dame Basilica, St. Patrick’s Basilica and Saint Joseph’s Oratory, the largest church in Canada, with the largest dome of its kind in the world after that of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.


Keep the buzz going

However, you should check your assumptions at the threshold if you are expecting a conservative, insipid environment for artistic expression.

Quite contrary.

For a predominantly Roman Catholic city, alternative lifestyles are embraced. Home to one of the largest and most extroverted gay communities in the world, Montréal is made up of many ethnic communities contributing to a dynamic melting pot of cultures.

Truly, a cosmopolitan city founded and thriving on diversity. It is there in the air; the city’s infectious joie de vivre. Montréal loves life and its many pleasures and in the celebration, wining, dining and entertaining becomes part of their lifestyle, and a kaleidoscope of colors, sights and sounds becomes part of Montréal’s landscape.

No surprise that Montréal is known as a City of Festivals then because they seem to be throwing parties all the time! Hosting more than 40 festivals that keep the city humming all year long, some of them, like the Montréal World Film Festival, are the largest and most attended festivals in the world, as if Montréal is eager to share a certain je ne sais quoi.

“Montréal has this reputation as a new kind of hipster mecca; definitely a cultural hub.” said Nate Smith of multidisciplinary design firm, The Vacuum Design. “It's the kind of place where the good new Canadian music comes from, and all your musician friends move their bands to ‘make it’!”

Quite a number of events are arts-related. Through multidisciplinary performing arts (film, photography, multimedia and music), the award-winning Divers/Cite Festival celebrates and shares the beauty of diversity with the public, free of charge. But it’s potential to draw crowds and tourist dollars have not escaped the government’s attention.

Another tourist attraction is the pyromusical arts showcase L’International des Feux Loto-Québec.

In Montréal, May is designated as Design Month due to the high number of design-related events held during the month, such as the Montréal International Interior Design Show and the Gala des prix de l’Institut de Design Montréal.


Maximum Exposure

In a city that values diversity and the spirit of sharing, artists and designers receive a great deal of exposure. Commercial photographer Andy Lee, a Toronto native, felt that while Canada is eager to be recognized as art-conscious, with a supportive environment for arts-related events and initiatives, the spectrum of artwork is small. “Geographically speaking, Montréal is not big as compared to major city centers of the world [New York, London, Paris, etc] so the artwork kind of reflects this.”

On the other hand, he conceded, “Montréal has very interesting galleries. As an art lover, its a great place to visit.”

The oldest museum in Canada is located right in Montréal — The Montréal Museum of Fine Arts — and naturally, with architecture’s significance on the city, one of North America’s museums solely dedicated to architecture, The Canadian Centre for Architecture.

In Montréal, art galleries trumpeting local artists are a common feature in hotels.

While Relais Charles-Alexander’s ground-level art gallery serves as a breakfast room, Les Passants du Sans Soucy B&B’s lobby doubles up as an art gallery. Contemporary paintings and murals by local up-and-coming artists adorn its walls after the 1723 warehouse was converted into a three-storey inn.

Paintings, photography and other works of art in Le Petit Prince can be purchased. One of the local outstanding artists on display is Mélissa Deschênes. Benoit A Coté, another local artist, has his vibrant artwork gracing the brick walls of boutique hotel The Les Bon Matins.

Art galleries can be found everywhere. That statement should not be taken lightly — for Montréal’s metro is hailed as the world’s longest art gallery, filled with a cornucopia of original artwork ranging from sculpture to stained glass, and murals by noted Quebec artists, including members of the famous art movement, the Automatiste, one of which is Marcelle Ferron, whose resplendent stained-glass window was said to be one the most breathtaking works of art in the metro. The masterpiece is also the only piece of abstract art sponsored and installed in the initial artwork, mirroring the artistic revolution Quebec underwent at the time.

At the price of a metro ticket, citizens and visitors get to view Montréal’s heritage in living color. Said Andy Lee: “Each Metro station, I believe, is of a completely different design and brilliantly done—it is one of those quaint traits that give Montreal its charm.”

For The Place-des-Arts station, located beneath the cultural complex, world renowned producer of animated films Frédérick Back traces the history of music in Montréal — from the first concert on the island in 1535 to the era of jazz and popular music in the 1960s, depicting Montréal’s prominent musicians such as Calixa Lavallée and Dame Emma Albani — with a painted glass and iron mural entitled Les Arts Lyriques.

As the busiest station in the network, the McGill station tells the story of life in 19th century Montréal to more than 10 million passengers annually with the splendid set five stained-glass murals, Montréal Scenes Circa 1830.

For the largest station in the network, the most eye-catching artwork in the Berri-Uqam station is the huge stained-glass mural Hommage aux Fondateurs de le ville de Montréal. Artists Pierre Gaboriau and Pierre Osterrath paid tribute to three people instrumental in the foundation of the city: Jérôme le Royer de la Dauversière, who bought the island for the colony; Jeanne Mance, the founder of the Hôtel-Dieu; and Paul Chomedey, the colony's first commander, with the massive artwork.

As with all other public buildings, it goes without saying that both the architecture and ornamentation of each metro station are major talking points, and they reflect the different art periods from the 60s to the 80s. Every station was built in a different style under the hands of different Canadian architects: The Georges-Vanier station is a stylish model of postmodernism, the Crémazie station has Sixties’ inspired architecture, the Du Collège station’s theme is classical elegance, echoing the educational institutions it serves and the Square-Victoria sports a Hector Guimard Art Nouveau Parisian metro entrance on its exit, the only authentic one in use outside Paris.


Makings of Milan

Montréal is undoubtedly a city of intriguing contrasts, a complex character that is at once rich with European charm, Parisian chic and American cool.

Naturally, being in close proximity with America has its influences.

The spectacular 190-hectare Mount Royal Park, otherwise known to denizens as the Mountain, is created in 1876 by the renowned American landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmstead, who designed New York’s Central Park.

But America can keep its Starbucks; Montréal has its Tim Hortons, and most certainly a mind of its own, thank you. A strong sense of individualistic style is gaining Montréal an edge in their foray into fashion.

According to Marika Brose, brand manager for the Hudson's Bay Company, Montréal is known for its independent style, which will stand them in good stead. "Toronto tends to more reflect what's going on, trend-wise, on the other catwalks," she said. "I think that's what's great about the Montréal fashion scene: They really do their own thing. They are true to themselves. They take some risks."

Is Montréal setting its sights on becoming the new Milan?

Judging by the independent talents of homegrown crème de la crème like Cluc Couture, Marie Saint Pierre, Andy Thê-Anh and Denis Gagnon on show in major local fashion events like the Montréal Fashion and Design Festival and Montréal Fashion Week, Montréal seems intent to make their mark on the international fashion runway.

According to Anna Goodson, owner of talent agency Anna Goodson Management, the fashion scene in Montréal is hot. “We have so much talent and creativity overflowing in different industries and fashion is one of them. For decades now, Montreal has been known as the fashion capital of Canada. We are a glorious mix of New York and Paris all woven into one. It is our Latin culture and creative freedom that is so feasible here. The fashion photographers here are as good as they get.”

June 2007 marked the 7th edition of the Montréal Fashion and Design Festival, where fashion and design will converge with music in a five-day event that encompasses almost 40 fashion shows presenting collections of more than 100 labels and renowned designers.

In September, Montréal Fashion Week held its 12th edition. Liaison Mode Montréal was the event organizer; a group of associations that aim to raise national and international awareness of the city’s fashion and apparel industry in the bid to position Montréal as a major creative and production centre in North America. Since its inception, it has become renowned as a platform to uncover new talents.

With the abundance of burgeoning talent, it looks like Montréal stands a high chance in clinching the crown as the national fashion center.


Game, Set & Boom!

However, things didn’t look so promising 20 years ago. Montréal experienced a slower rate of economic growth than any other major Canadian cities during the 1980s and early 1990s. But the advent of new firms and institutions filling its traditional business and financial niches revved up Montréal’s renaissance in the late 1990s.

The city rode out the doldrums and began to regain its foothold on the world map by intensifying strategic efforts to become a world-class metropolis with architectural developments such as Centre de Commerce Mondial (World Trade Centre) and Square Cartier.

In particular, Quartier International (a new urban area located between the city’s business district and Old Montréal) attracted secretariats of international organizations, in particular International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (ICSID), the International Council of Graphic Design Associations (Icograda), and the International Design Alliance (IDA), giving Montréal’s graphic and industrial design a shot in the arm.

Considered a centre of film and television production, Montréal also hosts the headquarters and five studios of Academy Award-winning documentary producer National Film Board of Canada, in addition to the head offices of Telefilm Canada.

However, the industry that has the world sitting up and paying attention is video games. Ubisoft studio’s opening was a pivotal step, and the city’s strength in digital media steered an onslaught of world-leading game developers and publishing studios such as EA, Eidos Interactive, Artificial Mind and Movement and Strategy First into jostling for business space in the city.

Since then, around 1997, Montréal has become a hub for producing the best and most popular video games in the world. "I wonder if there's a city other than Montreal that generates as many triple-A titles [the gaming world's equivalent to Hollywood blockbusters] per year by different developers," said Stephane D'Astous, general manager of Eidos Interactive Montréal.

Echoing his sentiments, EA Montréal’s general manager Alain Tascan believed that Montréal has “the competitive advantage to become the Hollywood of gaming.”

The rapid boom has catapulted the city’s profile as a talent magnet. Top programmers are coming in droves to get in on the action but the demand has yet to be satisfied. To groom a new generation of game developers, plans are afoot for Ubisoft to open Ubisoft Campus.

The growth spurt has also sparked the Quebec government’s interest, promising investments of millions in Ubisoft’s Montréal and Quebec City studios and bestowing heavy job subsidies in recognition of the billions of dollars and thousands of jobs this industry generates.


Design Nucleus

On 19 May 2006, Montréal added another eminent feather to its cap when the international design community, The Global Alliance for Cultural Diversity, named the city as a UNESCO City of Design. Montréal is one of the three world design capitals in the Creative Cities network, after Berlin and Buenos Aires—and the first North American city—to be distinguished with such an honor.

“Montréal already exports knowledge in the field of strategic design promotion, since its original Commerce Design Montreal concept was picked up by the cities of New York, Saint-Etienne and Lyon, and it will continue to do so as part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. Design is also one of the elements of the ‘Imagining – Building Montréal 2005’ gameplan, in which Montréal committed itself to becoming one of the world’s most attractive cities, through design quality and innovation,” said Mayor Tremblay.

According to recent statistics, design is responsible for 20,356 jobs in Montréal’s metropolitan area and economic spin-offs amounting more than $750 million.

Where design and designers of all fields embody a dynamic force of cultural and economic life, Montréal is the only North American city to have established—as early as 1991—a bureau dedicated to design’s development and promotion. Its foresight paid off. The bureau has made important achievements that in turn propelled Montréal as a city of design.

So far, Montréal looks like a hotbed for design innovation. But before you pack your bags and jump on the bandwagon, there are some hurdles to cross.

Montréal might be situated within a primarily English-speaking North America but it is also the second largest French-speaking city in the world after Paris. “It would be a good idea that any designer coming to work in Montréal is able to speak French,” advised Anna Goodson. “I was representing a very talented young photographer from outside of Quebec and the fact that she only spoke English made it very difficult for her to get work.”

Patrick Boyer agreed. “I’m sure the city is very supportive towards the arts, especially if you were trained and educated in Montréal and are comfortable in operating in French. Although Montréal is considered a bilingual city, a lot of the industry and support is predominantly French-based, whereas Toronto and Vancouver operate in English.”

To Toronto native Andy Lee, Montréal is a very progressive place in terms of art and design. “I would say that they are very open to foreign concepts and ideas — they have to be since that is how art thrives and flourishes.”

However, Anna Goodson opined that Quebec is a fairly closed market towards foreigners in the design communities.

“That is not to say that they are not open to what others are doing. It’s just that it seems that Quebecers tend to work with homegrown designers, illustrators and photographers, mainly because we are overflowing with talent here and we want to give our homegrown talent priority.

“There are, of course, some designers who are changing their attitudes and opening up more. I believe they are the younger designers who are more web-savvy. They are more in tune with is what is going on internationally and they want to bring this knowledge and talent here to Quebec.”

Patrick Boyer warned of the winters. “Most of all, the winters would be the initial negative for most to get used to. There are really only two major seasons: Hot and cold. But as many locals joke, the winter is for work and the summers are for play.”

Well, Montréal has another moniker: The Double-Decker City. To cope with seasonal changes, it has developed an amazing underground pedestrian network. 20 miles of passageways links up more than 1,700 boutiques, hotels, restaurants, universities, dozens of office buildings and attractions. An estimated 500,000 people move around town, safe from the elements, in this vast underground complex everyday.

Galleries go “underground” as well. Said Patrick Boyer: “I had mentioned that the city is a great place to begin something creative and unique, and the population loves anything imaginative and non-mainstream.

“On a more ‘design level’, Montréal is an amazing place to start your creative business; on the most part, it is a city of artists with a joie de vivre mentality. Inspiration is everywhere but it’s not an easy city to make it rich. After a while, many talented and established artists are tempted to leave Montréal in order to make a better living.

“I often compare Montréal to a passionate lover. At times you are so captivated with the city you want to swallow it whole and you can thrive together; yet at other times, you are so fed up with your situation, you want to pack your bags and leave it forever.”

“On a personal level, my work has never been displayed in Montréal. Perhaps I’ll put more effort in becoming re-acquainted and intimate with passionate Montréal.”

Whether in reference to side-by-side old and new architecture or the presence of a complementary underground city within the city, Montréal is indeed a unique “Two Cities-in-One”.

Make no mistake though; Montréal does not suffer from any split-personality issues. One thing will never change: In Montréal, the weekend never ends.

Faire le Pont (have a long weekend)!

And make that a double.


...................................................................................

TRAVEL ALBUM: DESIGN CITY publishes the essential photography subjects of a city. As they say, architecture landmarks denote the progressing development of a country. Design in each and every city speaks in different languages and dances to different cultures. A lot of cities are growing in the design realm but no one would know about this development but the travelers and the locals themselves. Only. The exciting quirks and electrifying eccentricity of Everyday Product, Design Schools, Designers, Resources, Hotels/Buildings, Design Studios/Personalities, Local Galleries, Museums, etc, are found in both secret and obvious places of the city.

We miss out on these simple things during travel or simply during our busy lifestyle in our own city. So the next time you travel, think of TRAVEL ALBUM: DESIGN CITY.

We spot 5 hot spots in Montreal. Who are they? Design City: Talent Spotlight -Read more on these rising design stars.


...................................................................................



© 2003 - 2007 by TAXI Design Network. All rights reserved.