This project focuses on the revitalization of the public spaces surrounding the Montreal Stock Exchange Tower (Tour de la Bourse), seeking new found respect for their historical and heritage value. Two main strategies were envisioned: 1 – rework the horizontal connections between the exterior spaces of Place Victoria and the adjacent interior spaces of the Tower, and 2 – improve the vertical connections between the underground level of Place Victoria and the entrance hall—achieved by, for example, the complete renovation of the existing central staircase, and its extension piercing through an additional level above.
A project for both the restoration and transformation of a high-value space, the team worked meticulously to reorganize the spectacular entrance hall of the Tower in order to achieve a return to original finishes that had been covered over the years from small modifications and repairs. In parallel, the goal was also to see the space in a new light—literally and figuratively—by delicately incorporating new elements and details. The complete restoration of the original Murano glass chandelier was accompanied by the punctual addition of artistic installations inhabiting the interior space, such as new reception furniture and lighting devices integrated to the entire hall.
On the exterior, there was a complete renewal of the gardens with new plantings and integrated seating. Informed by the space itself, and in-keeping with a contemporary reinterpretation of the concept developed by Morreti and Nervi, the design sought to retrieve a strong sense of identity and encourage social interaction at the center of a place steeped in cultural and visual history.
