Starting last spring, Montrealers and visitors from around the world have been once again able to marvel at Le 9e, the ninth floor of the Centre Eaton de Montréal. More than a quarter century after it was closed, the emblematic space has finally reopened its doors, a symbol of its rebirth. Listed as a heritage building in August 2000, since 2001, the space has undergone incredible renovation work to make it accessible to the public again. Artisans from every trade have been working hard to bring to life this iconic Montréal location owned by Ivanhoé Cambridge. “The role Ivanhoé Cambridge played was really to act as instigator, as promoter of the project,” notes Annik Desmarteau, Managing Director, Offices, Québec, Ivanhoé Cambridge. “The project really mattered to Montrealers, especially from a historical perspective.”
The work of French architect Jacques Carlu, this Art Deco style space had its heyday in the 1930s, when all of Montréal visited its salons. The main challenge in restoring the space therefore lay in the ability to retain the spirit of the original design and respect its heritage value. “If Jacques Carlu came back today, I think he’d find the place to be just as he pictured it. French luxury, very neoclassical with large symmetrical spaces and colonnades; and on the other hand, the avant-garde in the details of the glass and flooring,” adds Georges Drolet, Senior Partner and Managing Principal at EVOQ Architecture. The firm, which specializes in heritage conservation, partnered with Ivanhoé Cambridge to renovate the space while conserving its heritage assets.
The architects and workers toiled to recreate the original decor and thus conserve the spirit of the 1930s. Most of the original materials were conserved, such as the parquet in the foyer, existing benches, the marble on pillars and walls, and the ceiling from the old ellipse. According to Georges Drolet, the elements were intended to conjure up “the idea of travel, of exoticism” conveyed by the original space. “When you visit Le 9e , you see Art Deco and can picture yourself in that era,” adds Annik Desmarteau. This restoration shows that “architecture can have an impact on people’s personal lives,” George Drolet emphasizes.
Now decked out in all its finery, Le 9e offers many opportunities to get together and celebrate. The restaurant Île de France can host up to 120 people in an intimate environment. The space also has two multi-use rooms (the Gold and Silver rooms) which can hold 20 people each, and a large hall for private events, weddings, shows and expositions. A cocktail bar and café located on the main floor round out the offerings at this extraordinary space. “This new mix of events, restaurants, with a historic decor Montréal identifies with, will be part of this new downtown life,” says Georges Drolet. “It goes beyond the revival of the space, it’s part of the dynamic of reviving downtown Montréal. It will allow new generations who haven’t known this space to make their own memories.” New attraction in Montréal, “Le 9eis a public place, but at the same time, it’s like a museum space,” concludes Annik Desmarteau.
We invite you to discover a space that has been brought back to life in this documentary video!