Excerpt of the book Discovering modern Montréal and the Estérel resort in Québec of France Vanlaethem et al. Civa editions and Docomomo Québec, 2007, p. 115 :

“Built to house a temporary exhibition of works borrowed from the most important collections in 25 countries, after the Expo this pavilion was home to the Musée d’Art Contemporain de Montréal until its relocation to Place des Arts in 1992. It represents an intention to give architecture a more monumental character, but without a return to classical orders. The imposing volumetric measurements of its four large exhibition halls on the upper floor are reinforced by its overhangs and stone facing. Inside they are arranged around a central circulation space illuminated by large bay windows. The coffered concrete floors are another link between this project and the ones designed by Louis Kahn. This building was one of the first creations by Paul Gauthier and Gilles Guité who, with Jean-Marie Roy, went on to form one the the biggest firms in Québec City.”

Following the relocation of the MAC, the publicly owned building remained vacant from 1992 to 1997. Société Loto-Québec then acquired the property as part of a multi-asset transaction. The parapublic organization subsequently used it as a warehouse to support the operations of the Montreal Casino.

In October 2023, Loto-Québec put the building up for sale, citing that it no longer met the organization’s needs. The sale was quickly suspended at the request of the Société du parc Jean-Drapeau, which expressed interest.

In November 2023, the building was put back on the market, and it was revealed that Loto-Québec intends to sell the land to a real estate developer with plans to construct a condominium tower, which would entail the demolition of the heritage building (Le Devoir, November 13, 2023).