Place Vauquelin

A new milestone in enhancing Montréal’s administrative district

Place Vauquelin, an Old Montréal landmark that was developed around city hall, is a busy area frequented by tourists and people who live and work in the area.

As part of Montréal’s 375th anniversary celebrations planned for 2015, redesign work will be done to make Place Vauquelin an exceptional heritage site that is unifying, welcoming and accessible to everyone

Redesigning Place Vauquelin is part of a larger plan to enhance Montréal’s administrative district, the area within Rue Gosford, Rue Saint-Antoine, Rue Notre-Dame and Boulevard Saint-Laurent.

A user-friendly place of convergence

The new design will reinforce Place Vauquelin’s civic and ceremonial role as a symbolic place of institutional power. It will also strengthen its role as city hall’s esplanade and a lookout between the old and modern cities. The redesign will also make Place Vauquelin a more user-friendly place central to many major public spaces in Old Montréal. Enhancement of the plant walls will also open up views of the city.

A comfortable, accessible space

To increase the number of places to sit, the redesign will offer better ergonomics, with more contemporary street furniture that is better adapted to different types of users. Place Vauquelin will be made level with city hall, the Lucien Saulnier building and the north sidewalk of Rue Notre-Dame to be accessible to people with reduced mobility. A stairway and access ramp will be integrated into Champ de Mars, ensuring universal accessibility.

Innovation and respect for heritage

The protection and enhancement of several important historic elements, including the Jean Vauquelin monument, are key to the project. The fountain is possibly the most important element of the square’s public identity. It will be interactive, with play fountains, sound and light integrated into it. The pavement and access ramp will be heated, meaning users can enjoy it year round. Digital equipment and infrastructures for the Wi-Fi network will also be integrated into the new design.

To learn more, visit our photo gallery.