Port of Montreal Tower
New public spaces on the waterfront, a cruise terminal featuring contemporary architecture and a breathtaking view of the city are some of the Grand Quay’s attractions.
The last element of its metamorphosis: the observation tower, officially opened in May 2023.
Project overview
The rehabilitation of the former Alexandra Pier meets the operational needs of shipping lines and cruise passengers, offers the public better access to the river and makes it possible to integrate the site into the urban fabric of Old Montreal.
The final concept, designed after open houses and several meetings with key partners from the economic, tourism and political sectors, along with stakeholders committed to Montreal’s harmonious development, was developed by the architectural firm Provencher Roy.
Social and economic impact
Project timeline
2014
Presentation of the project concept to various stakeholders and at public consultations
2015
- Preparatory rehabilitation work: Despite significant maintenance investments over the past decade, Alexandra Pier’s more than a century old infrastructure showed marked
- signs of aging and operational obsolescence. This hindered its ability to keep providing the expected services.
- The extensive pier rehabilitation project was undertaken with Provencher_Roy multidisciplinary firm, NCK, Pageau Morel and NIPpaysage Landscape Architects.
- The preparatory phase covered geotechnical and seismic studies, then development of a functional and technical program followed by the design phase of the Grand Quay.
2016
- Demolition of certain hangars
- Excavation and lowering of the east pier, surface stabilization and landscaping
- Civil works (water, sewer, electrical and natural gas systems
2017
- Interior and exterior layout of the cruise terminal
- Development of the landing, Promenade d’Iberville and Commencement Square
- May 2017: Opening of Cruise Terminal 1
- July 19, 2017: Official opening of the Port Centre
2018
- January 2018: Gradual opening of the parking lot, with total capacity of 300 spaces
- June 3, 2018: Public opening of the Grand Quay of the Port of Montreal, with 13,000 people in total inaugurating the Grand Quay’s new public spaces and enjoying the activities
2019
- July 15 to November 1: Foundation construction
- November 1: Start of concreting the structures, scheduled end date November, 2020
2020
- February 1 to December 30: Steel structure assembly
2021
- January: Start of the outer envelope, scheduled end date July, 2021
- April to October: Interior finishing
- May to October: Exterior layout and landscaping
