The historic neighbourhood warmly welcomes visitors this summer

Displays and entertainment in Old Montreal for summer 2022

The Old Montreal SDC, with support from the borough of Ville-Marie, is continuing its efforts of previous years to spruce up the historic neighbourhood during the summer season, in hopes of making it a place where local and international visitors can spoil themselves once more in this year of economic revival. Feelings of fellowship will be increased in several geographic zones across the large territory of Old Montreal, including its two suburbs, which will also allow for more residential and business clientele to benefit from these arrangements.

Landscaping of several commercial arteries and public places

In the coming weeks, flower arrangements will be installed along principal commercial thoroughfares and public places in Old Montreal. These flower beds will be tended and watered daily, bringing the city magnificent depth and perfectly complementing the historic neighbourhood’s architectural charm. Efforts to expand planted walkways will be focused in the East, considering the completion of major building projects in this area, which will welcome thousands of new workers, residents, and visitors.

Ephemeral spaces, placottoirs, and urban oases for a moment of mid-city relaxation

A good number of urban oases, in addition to two placottoirs created especially to fit into the design of the historic neighbourhood, will allow visitors and workers to enjoy these spaces as relaxation areas and be shaded from the summer heat. Urban furniture will be utilized in such a way to favour socialization while making the most of the neighbourhood’s excellent backdrop. The SDC will also be crafting an outdoor relaxation space in Cité du Multimédia (commonly called Ephemeral Park, set up in collaboration with Hydro-Québec), situated at the corner of Queen and Wellington Streets. This relaxation space, accessible starting in mid-June, will be perfect for lunches, remote work, or outdoor socializing. As for the two placottoirs, they are located on Saint-Jacques Street and West Notre-Dame Street.

Rehabilitation of the petanque pitches on the de la Commune promenade

To the great pleasure of neighbourhood residents and workers, the eight professional double pétanque pitches found behind Bonsecours Market under the tree cover will be remodeled and maintained all summer, thanks to a renewed agreement with Montreal’s Old Port. This renovation project was initially started in 2018 thanks to financial support from the borough of Ville-Marie, and in collaboration with the Old Port of Montreal. Therefore, competitions will once more be freely accessible to all at any time this year. Note that it will not be necessary to reserve a pitch, and any person wishing to play must provide their own equipment. The SDC will ensure that the pitches are cleaned and maintained during the whole summer season, and is hoping to bring back its annual Gens du Vieux Pétanque Classic next September.

The unmistakable Saint-Amable Street

The photogenic décor of the legendary Saint-Amable Street returns this year. It was first unveiled in 2019 as part of an urban revitalization project through the “artère en transformation” project. This Old Montreal SDC initiative aimed to definitively return the lustre to this iconic street of the historic neighbourhood, as well as create a new attraction in Old Montreal where many visitors can walk through and take photos on their visit.

Free concerts and photography exhibits offered all summer long

Two photography exhibits created with the support of the borough of Ville-Marie will be presented to the public starting in mid-June. Improving the experience of its different visitors, the first of the two will be settled on Le Royer and Saint-Claude streets, and will be titled “Old Montreal: the Heart of Business”, showing the evolution of the business community in the historic neighbourhood over the years. The planning portion of this specific project was provided by Château Ramezay. A second photography exhibit – situated on de la Commune Street, west of McGill – will show the work of a photojournalist previously nominated for the prestigious World Press Photo (WPP) competition. The participation of the Montreal WPP organizers has allowed this mini-expo to see the light of day once more for this year.

As for the performance entertainment side of things, the Old Montreal SDC is coming back in force this year with Place d’Armes Music Zone: a series of various concerts taking place in the middle of Place d’Armes during fair weather days Mondays to Fridays between 12 noon and 1 p.m. This series features a program of 60 concerts promoting musical awareness and will begin mid-June, unfolding over the following twelve weeks, allowing workers, tourists, and residents to discover new, exquisite talent. It’s a daily event you can’t miss!

Street dressing to celebrate the return of the Montreal Grand Prix

Finally, to highlight the return of the Grand Prix to Montreal this year, the SDC is renewing its promotional strategy of dressing the streets over the whole of the neighbourhood, and giving it a strong visual impact to visitors. This project will complement different promotional business strategies taking place in various Old Montreal businesses.

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The Old Montreal SDC would like to thank the borough of Ville-Marie for its contribution to the different projects aiming to make the historic neighbourhood attractive and welcoming during the summer season – especially with the 2022 beautification program, development projects, and the Place d’Armes Music Zone.