This iconic Montreal mall is getting demolished and here's what's replacing it

Say goodbye to a big piece of East End Montreal history. Place Versailles, an indoor shopping mall that's been around for over 60 years, is officially getting demolished — and the replacement is going to look nothing like it.

As reported by Connect CRE, on May 12, the Montreal city council gave the green light to a $2.2 billion redevelopment project that will completely transform the site into a new residential and commercial neighbourhood.

It also means the city's oldest enclosed mall, its sprawling parking lot, and its retro vibes are on their way out.

So, what's coming instead?

According to a City of Montreal press release, the mall's space will be transformed into a brand-new urban district with 5,805 housing units, including around 979 social housing units. The buildings will mostly range from six to eight storeys, with some towers reaching up to 25 storeys. There are also plans for local and regional shops, office space, an elementary school, and a hotel — all adding up to about 48,000 square metres of usable space.

The changes come following a public consultation process held in 2024 by the Office de consultation publique de Montréal (OCPM), which gathered feedback from residents about the future of the area. According to the OCPM's final report, some community members raised concerns about the project's scale and how it might impact their quality of life — especially the height of the towers, increased density, and the disruption caused by long-term construction. Others emphasized the cultural significance of the mall that opened back in 1963.

The project includes three public parks, a school, office space, a hotel, and a big public square. Green features like rooftop gardens, rainwater systems, and a biodiversity corridor will also be built to make the area more eco-friendly.

Construction is expected to start in 2026 and take up to 25 years to complete, with the work split into four phases.

It may be the end of an era for Place Versailles, but the beginning of a bold new chapter for the neighbourhood.

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