The Royal Bank of Canada opened its first branch in Montreal in 1887, and moved its head office to the city 20 years later. After occupying various premises, the Bank began construction of a building to house the head office, as well as a branch, at 360 Rue Saint-Jacques. Designed by the New York firm York & Sawyer (well known for several bank building designs) in partnership with architects employed by the Royal Bank, the new building, inaugurated in 1928, symbolized prestige and prosperity and became a Montreal landmark.

While the exterior is fairly sober, the interior design of the building evokes richness and refinement. A grand marble staircase leads to the banking hall with gold-plated bronze wickets and marble counters. From the marble-mosaic and travertine floor to the ornate, Renaissance-inspired coffered ceiling, the interior spaces reflect the status of a prestigious financial institution and call to mind the palazzos of Florence.

In 1962, the Royal Bank moved its head office to Place Ville Marie, but kept a branch in the iconic OId Montreal building. Eventually, in 2012, the institution vacated the premises permanently.

When the bank branch closed, Georges Coulombe, the building’s owner since 2004, set out to find a new tenant. Wishing to repurpose the space while preserving its heritage elements, he had to reflect on a new use that would be compatible with the building’s original dimensions and characteristics. He sought a tenant who would be willing to use the banking hall space in its existing layout and for a long period… and he waited three years for the right partner to step up, studying several proposals before finally choosing the appropriate project. During that time, the vacated space remained accessible to the public via the building lobby (the remaining spaces in the building were already occupied by other tenants).

Mr. Coulombe eventually settled on a startup called Crew Collectif & Café. In addition to operating its own administrative offices and a café open to all, Crew Collectif rents work spaces in the former banking hall to entrepreneurs and self-employed workers. The design and layout of the café allowed for the original counters and wickets to be retained. Careful attention was paid to the initial purpose of the premises, with certain furniture elements retained and the light fixtures restored. The retrofitted workspaces, designed by architect Henri Cleinge, are discreetly glassed-in. This allows the richly decorated ceiling, also restored, to be fully appreciated.

Mr. Coulombe has transformed and revitalized heritage buildings in several Montreal neighbourhoods. When he bought first one, and then a second, property in the 1980s, it sparked his interest in heritage conservation and restoration. In fact, he unhesitatingly switched careers to dedicate himself full-time to real-estate development. He views “smart restoration” as the key to conservation of heritage buildings, whereby these sites charged with history are given new life.

The arrival of a new tenant was the opportunity for Georges Coulombe to undertake the work to restore the space. Since the planned use was compatible with the characteristics of the space, only minor alterations were necessary.

Though the Royal Bank of Canada branch is no longer there, the space is alive and well, attracting Montreal workers, visitors and tourists alike.

Heritage conservation is an investment requiring a great deal of patience, but one that inevitably pays off for the property owner as well as users and the surrounding community.