The winning team announced!

The firms civiliti + Mandaworks (Sweden) and SNC-Lavalin have been named the winners of the multidisciplinary international urban design competition for the development of the new Place de l'avenue McGill College. The project was completed in collaboration with Lasalle-NHC, UDO Design, Biodiversité Conseil, Lamontagne Consultants and ÉVOQ, and the jury selected it from a field of five finalists. The proposal retained is inspiring and steeped in the spirit of the place, pairing urbanity, history and biodiversity to offer a transformed pedestrian experience.

The winning concept will make it possible to experience downtown differently while heightening Montréal’s profile. With the redevelopment of Rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest and such iconic places as Square Phillips, the city’s downtown will soon be greener and more pleasant, resilient and human.

Taking residents’ aspiration into consideration

It’s worth reiterating that the project to transform Avenue McGill College was subject to a vast consultation led by the Office de consultation publique de Montréal (OCPM) and a positioning exercise involving more than 1,000 people. Out of this process a vision emerged, one that reflects the needs and aspirations of the city‘s residents.

Using this vision as a point of departure, the winning concept called for the creation of a large green strip, which will become the distinctive element in this imposing new public space. It will offer unique seasonal experiences, along with pedestrian and discovery paths on different scales between McGill University and the large staircase at Place Ville-Marie, with an open view of Mount Royal.

The new development also calls for an intensive greening effort and the integration of spaces conducive to contemplation and relaxation so that Montrealers can appropriate the space year-round.

The development project’s final concept will be unveiled in 2021, and work operations should start in 2023.

Please view the Bureau du design de la Ville de Montréal Web site for complete details on the competition.