NEW DEVELOPMENTS ON SAINTE-CATHERINE STREET: MAKING THE MOST OF THE SUMMER!

Montreal, July 6, 2023 – The Société de développement commercial (SDC) du Village and the Quartier des spectacles Partnership are pleased to unveil two summertime development projects in the Village and south of Place Émilie Gamelin, thanks to financial support from the Borough of Ville-Marie. From now until early fall, the public will be able to make the most of the summer season on Sainte-Catherine Street East, pedestrian-only between Labelle St. and Papineau Avenue. An original miniature golf course and a layout reflecting the ambiance of the Jardins Gamelin already deployed on rue Sainte-Catherine Est in a design by EN TEMPS ET LIEU invites playful pleasures. To the east of rue Saint-Hubert, the project, designed by landscape and urban design agency Castor et Pollux, invites visitors to wander and come together, thanks to new playful and unusual installations. This seasonal metamorphosis adds to the appeal, energy and excitement of the Village and the eastern pole of the Quartier des spectacles.

“It’s wonderful that the pedestrian-only thoroughfare is being extended westwards along Sainte-Catherine. It’s an area that, as we know, needs a little love. And that's what we’re going to give it, in cooperation with the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership and the Société de développement commerciale du Village. The activities and entertainment will be fun for everyone and generate foot traffic that will benefit our merchants. This project is in line with our collective strategy to revitalize the Village.” said Robert Beaudry, City Councillor for Saint-Jacques, Borough of Ville-Marie, and Montreal Executive Committee Member responsible for Urban Planning, Citizen Participation and Democracy.

THE VILLAGE, ENTRE LIANES ET PAILLETTES

Strolling along this carefully curated path almost a kilometre in length, passers-by are treated to an eclectic assortment of plants and animals. Twelve observation posts invite them to take a seat among flocks of furniture or surrounded by jungle-like vegetation, where twenty dazzling disco balls seem to sprout. Among the ferns, willows, trailing vines and glittering lianas that frame the thoroughfare, the striped unicorn, spotted bear and starry deer stop strollers in their tracks with their evocative motifs painted by Nikki Küntzle, a young multidisciplinary artist from the community.

The bright colors of the villagers burst out of the clean canvas, giving the Village a renewed, chic and distinguished landscape. On display are the many nuances that define the identity of the Village, a place of refuge and freedom for people from diverse sexual and gender backgrounds. The white stripes on the ground evoke the stripes of the unique animal that is the Village and mark a path where everyone is free to display their own stripes in this jungle of possibilities. As night falls, the experience is transformed in hues of pink, projected onto the installations that dot the festive route.

Place du Village, the culmination of this plant-focused symphony, becomes a gathering place anchored in the heart of the neighborhood. Located at the corner of Sainte-Catherine and Wolfe streets, this social and cultural space is conducive to discussion, inclusion, play and the celebration of connection and games, thanks to the amusing structures created by Castor et Pollux. They include a mini-putt zone, hanging furniture and a variety of games that can be borrowed at no charge.

“We’re proud to have launched a development project that invites our merchants, residents and visitors to make their neighbourhood their own, with spaces where they can come together and socialize. The Village is a place of emancipation for people from diverse backgrounds, and this new concept calls on various communities to come celebrate their identity, no matter what stripes they wear,” noted Gabrielle Rondy, Executive Director of the Société de développement commercial (SDC) du Village – Village Montréal.

JARDINS GAMELIN EXPANSION: MORE FUN AND KICKING BACK!

This summer, Les Jardins Gamelin, a unique, diverse and lively living space in the Quartier des spectacles since 9 years, is expanding south from Place Émilie-Gamelin onto Sainte-Catherine St. East, which is pedestrian-only between Labelle and Saint-Hubert streets. Until September 17, 2023, the new space, designed and laid out by multidisciplinary design studio EN TEMPS ET LIEU, will further enhance the unique Jardins Gamelin experience and call on all Montrealers, visitors and residents alike, to make the most of the fine weather.

The space features a nine-hole miniature golf course where up to 40 players can take advantage of free equipment loans to engage in a little friendly competition, all in a unique urban setting. Lush greenery, comfortable seating, background music and a canopy of overhead lights will put everyone in the mood to relax and socialize in the warm, friendly atmosphere. Finally, markings on the ground echo the esthetics of the Jardins themselves and create a visual transition in keeping with the SDC du Village’s development plans for Sainte-Catherine Street East.

“We are delighted to bring Montrealers, visitors and residents alike, a lively, friendly new public space that is accessible to all. The miniature golf course, a central element, will foster the creation and strengthening of social ties, just like the Jardins Gamelin. We have worked hand in hand with the Société de développement commercial (SDC) du Village to ensure our summer offerings are aligned with theirs, provide a unique experience and continue revitalizing the downtown core’s eastern pole. I wish to thank the Ville de Montréal and Borough of Ville-Marie for their unfailing support,” said Monique Simard, chair of the board of directors for the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership.

These transitional facilities are part of a three-year plan developed with our partners to revitalize the Village while waiting for the City of Montreal’s major work planned for the area. The redevelopment of these spaces and Sainte-Catherine Street East will provide opportunities to put in place a number of distinctive permanent facilities, to be unveiled at a later date.

The Sainte-Catherine Street East and Place du Village developments are made possible by financial support from the borough of Ville-Marie. The SDC and Quartier des Spectacles Partnership would like to thank the members of the advisory committee formed specifically for these projects, comprising SDC members, Village residents and artists, for their contribution.

CREDITS

Entre lianes et paillettes

Concept: Castor et Pollux
Realization and installation: Kleis (pedestrianization) and Infravert (Place du Village)
Engineering: CollectivLab
Greening: Au fil des saisons
Artwork: LNDMRK x Nikki

A Project carried out with support from the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership and with the financial support of the borough of Ville-Marie.

Jardins Gamelin Miniature Golf

Concept: EN TEMPS ET LIEU
Realization: Alix Alix

An initiative of the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership with the financial support of the borough of Ville-Marie.

ABOUT VILLAGE MONTREAL

The Société de développement commercial (SDC) Village Montréal represents some 255 businesses located on Ste-Catherine Street East between Berri and Cartier and on Atateken Street between René-Lévesque East and Robin.

Village Montreal contributes to the economic transformation and vitality of the Village by promoting diversity, inclusiveness and innovation.

Village Montreal is an internationally recognized 2SLGBTQ+ destination, welcoming more than 1.4 million visitors each year.

More information: villagemontreal.ca

ABOUT QUARTIER DES SPECTACLES AND THE PARTNERSHIP

The Quartier des Spectacles is 20 years old! The Quartier des Spectacles is Montréal’s cultural heart, boasting North America’s most concentrated and diverse group of cultural venues as well as numerous festivals and events. The Quartier also hosts innovative urban installations involving cutting-edge lighting design and immersive environments. The Quartier des Spectacles has become an international showcase for digital public art.

The Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, founded in 2003, is a non-profit organization with more than 85 members active in the district. It is responsible for animating the Quartier des Spectacles by programming cultural activities, managing and animating public spaces, providing distinctive illumination and promoting the Quartier as a must-visit cultural destination. The Partnership benefits from the support of the Ville de Montréal. 

More information: quartierdesspectacles.com

PHOTOS AND VIDEOS 

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CONTACTS MEDIA  

Village Montréal
Charles MacKay
cm@villagemontreal.ca
514 529-1168

Quartier des Spectacles Partnership
Mélanie Mingotaud
melanie@mingo2.ca
514 582-5272

SOURCES

Village Montréal
Charles MacKay
cm@villagemontreal.ca
514 529-1168

Quartier des Spectacles Partnership
Chloé Goldstein
chloe.goldstein@quartierdesspectacles.com
514 812-2193