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Published on : March 26 2018
Last modified on : July 15 2025
Alert submitted by: Alexandra Caron
The Cinéma-Théâtre Cartier was built in 1929 by Joseph Raoul Gariépy, the architect behind the Rialto Theatre, in collaboration with renowned Montreal decorator Emmanuel Briffa. Popular theatre, vaudeville, and burlesque were performed within the walls of this institution, which was directed from 1929 to 1936 by Madame Rose Ouellette, also known as La Poune.
Théâtre Cartier
In 1955, both the Théâtre Cartier and the Corona were converted into plumbing supply warehouses, marking the end of their use as performance venues. The building was acquired by Mr. Alberto Teodori in 1960 and went on to serve various functions: a teen dance hall, a nightclub, the Casino Cartier, and later the Dôme Cartier discotheque.
Renamed Théâtre Dôme, the building was rented in the 1970s by the Performing Arts Department of Dawson College, but was abandoned in the early 2000s, with little attention paid to its heritage or historical significance. It was officially abandoned in 2010 and put up for sale in 2014. The Théâtre Cartier remained without a buyer for years.
In 2024, the building was finally sold to the Fabienne Colas Foundation, which plans to transform it into a cultural hub. Construction planning has begun, and the opening is scheduled for 2027.
Le Sud-Ouest
Mechanisms for protection
Private: Non lucrative organisation
Vacant
Lack of knowledge
Vandalism
Joseph Raoul Gariépy, architect
Owner
Cultural
1929
Located in an area of interesting heritage value
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.
