Place Simon-Valois

Place Simon-Valois stands at the junction of the former Hochelaga and Maisonneuve neighborhoods, on a former industrial and railway brownfield site that cut through the urban fabric. The square was conceived as a place of identity for the borough, in the context of a major urban revitalization. Nearly 20 years later, the square is at the heart of community life in the area.

The spirit of the old railway line permeates the project concept. Like an archaeological relic, the long granite benches are arranged in a pattern reminiscent of a railway marshalling yard, organizing the space into multiple environments for meeting and waiting. The configuration also allows larger cultural events to be held with access to a mobile stage. The public space is an innovative expression of the priority given to pedestrians over cars. The paving of the square joins the sidewalk terraces, blurring the boundaries between pavement and sidewalk; a differentiation of colors and finishes marks the corridor for service vehicles. The design affirms the significance of Place Valois in the urban landscape, as a place for movement, encounters, stories and neighborhood identity.