Archives
Views on this page
Published on : May 11 2017
Last modified on : July 09 2025
Alert submitted by: Paul Bolduc
The municipality of De Lorimier built its town hall in 1901. When De Lorimier was annexed by the City of Montreal in 1909, the building was repurposed as a fire station.
The structure is a particularly interesting example of a multifunctional town hall combined with a fire station. In 1999, the fire station was temporarily closed due to a fire. By 2015, the building was in a state of advanced disrepair and required extensive renovations. The restoration involved partial demolition, structural reinforcement, and reconstruction and renovation of the building envelope, with the goal of preserving its heritage character.
The stone façade was dismantled and placed in storage for restoration. A heritage conservation firm was commissioned to ensure the quality of the work. The stone façade, along with the stone elements on the Des Érables Street side, was slated for reinstallation. The original tower was to be replaced by a new one with a much more modern appearance. The Montreal Heritage Council recommended simplifying the tower’s design. The third floor of the fire station was planned to be converted into a cultural center focused on literature.
Ancien hôtel de ville De Lorimier
Source: Google Street View
In December 2018, work was suspended when it was discovered that the structure was in worse condition than originally expected. The need to completely rebuild the walls required the termination of the contract with the contractor. As a result, the plans, timeline, and budget had to be revised.
In 2021, the building was ultimately demolished in its entirety. Work resumed in 2022: the fire station was reconstructed according to the revised plans, and construction continued through 2023. The removed architectural elements were reinserted into the façade. The project was completed in 2025.
Le Plateau-Mont-Royal
Mechanisms for protection
Civic Heritage
Public
Vacant
Demolition
Joseph H. Bernard & Paris et J.O.A. Laforest, architects
City of Montréal
Institutional
Civic
1901
How do you see this Montreal site? What legacy has it left us? What future can we create for it? Where to start to get there? Who wants to participate in the project?
You have questions? Want to do more, but lack the information? Consult our toolkit to learn more about the heritage of the Montreal metropolitan area, the preservation mechanisms in place and possible actions.
