At the heart of the Quartier des Spectacles (PQDS), observation and discussions with managers reveal concrete challenges: the summer vegetation lacks suitable spaces for maintenance, the festivals’ logistics hub remains fragile, and the PQDS offices, located too far from the events, hinder operational efficiency.

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These findings highlight a clear imperative: to reinvent downtown, making it greener, more vibrant, and more functional, while reconnecting with the site’s history as Maisonneuve’s former orchard.

The project turns these challenges into concrete opportunities. It plans to create one hectare of new green spaces in the heart of the city and eliminate a major 3,000 m² heat island in the Place-des-Arts area. An arboretum will be developed, including a winter garden and the PQDS offices, while a new logistics hub will strengthen festival operations.

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The urban boulevard will be redesigned to offer high-quality spaces that encourage walking and social interaction. The festival perimeter and pedestrian areas will be expanded by 13,818 m², and the outdated entrance to the Place-des-Arts station will be modernized. All of this will be accomplished without acquiring additional land.

 

Concrete, achievable in the short term, and deeply inspiring, the project promises immediate and lasting benefits, transforming the Quartier des spectacles and enriching daily life for its residents. It embodies a clear vision: a downtown where nature, culture, and urban life coexist harmoniously for everyone.