One of the rare examples of an Art Deco entertainment hall in Montreal, this building is tied to the history of “neighborhood palaces” in a working-class Francophone district. Built in 1931, it features a magnificent façade. The venue initially hosted live performances before being converted into a cinema.

Le Château Cinema illustrates the creation of a cinema-specific architectural type, borrowing its monumentality from 19th-century theater architecture. Its Art Deco style signals the transition to the more streamlined modern designs of the 1930s. It is one of the three best-preserved and most aesthetically remarkable “neighborhood palaces” in Montreal.

Inside, the decor was designed by Emmanuel Briffa (1875–1955), who contributed to the ornamentation of over 200 cinemas across North America. The interior features vivid floral and stylized pre-Columbian motifs, gilded with gold leaf, along with colorful stained glass windows.

Until 1946, programming was announced on a marquee in the Château style. That year, it was replaced by a more modern marquee, and the vertical sign hanging above it was removed. A new version of the sign was installed in 2011.

Le Château changed function at the end of the 1980s. Acquired by the Centre Chrétien Métropolitain, it has served as a place of worship since 1989. The interior is no longer as easily accessible to the public. The façade is not particularly highlighted, and no plaque marks the building’s history.

In 2015, a circus school called Château de Cirque moved into the upstairs hall. The hall was renovated, with some decorative elements—such as seats, light fixtures, and moldings—preserved and restored, although the space had to be adapted to meet the needs of its new function.