The modern portion of The Bay’s store is of heritage interest in many ways. It is one of the last remaining examples of Brutalist architecture in Montreal, as many others have been demolished or extensively transformed. Brutalism, although unloved by the general public, is as important in the history of architecture as any other movement, and it is therefore essential to preserve its witnesses. It is also a symbol of the will of the big banners to modernize their older stores and to bring back some of their clientele, while the 1960s were the scene of a rapid development of the Montreal suburbs.
The building’s appearance also plays a heritage role. Although it is at first sight repulsive, with its large blind concrete surfaces, it is in fact a very well designed building. Its tripartite composition follows the logic of the original building on Sainte-Catherine, the large arches on the first floor are a reminder of the arches of the neo-classical part, as is the reddish color of the concrete.
From a technical point of view, fluted concrete was a very popular method during the 1960s that has since disappeared. Although it is still possible to reproduce this pattern, this building is an important example of this construction method. Environmentally, it is a building with a concrete structure in good condition, as is its envelope. Demolishing such a building to rebuild a new one represents a significant waste of resources and energy. This is even more true considering that it is an easily adaptable building, as its plan is very simple, with a grid of regular columns, allowing any function to be easily accommodated. The lack of windows is an important problem, but a careful and sensitive intervention could certainly solve it. Finally, it is a building that contributes to the richness and diversity of our downtown. The elimination of these buildings from other eras in favour of anonymous glass towers would contribute to the banalization of the downtown.
A public consultation led by the Office de consultation publique de Montréal (OCPM) is currently underway, with virtual hearings ending on Wednesday, May 19, 2021, after which the commissioners will prepare the final consultation report. All the documentation regarding the proposed project is available on the OCPM website dedicated to the consultation on the Hudson’s Bay store (in French).
In 2025, the Hudson’s Bay Company declared bankruptcy, casting doubt on the realization of this expansion project. Following the complete liquidation of La Baie stores, the entire building is now vacant, and its future remains uncertain.
