Inaugurated in 1893, the former Royal Victoria Hospital is still one of the city's most important heritage sites. Located on the southern flank of the mountain, it is considered one of the jewels in Mount Royal's institutional crown, and has been a declared heritage site since 2005. In 2015, following the opening of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), the majority of services were relocated to the new Glen Campus, west of downtown, leaving the former hospital largely vacant. To identify a new use for the site, gouvernement du Québec has commissioned Société québécoise des infrastructures (SQI) to requalify the entire site in 2018. Through a public consultation conducted by the Office de consultation publique de Montréal (OCPM), SQI is now unveiling its master plan.
Against this backdrop, Héritage Montréal and Les amis de la montagne have joined forces to encourage gouvernement du Québec, Ville de Montréal and citizens to take action for the future of Royal Victoria. The two organizations are unveiling a video in which they present their vision for this highly significant heritage site, a priceless public asset.
The redevelopment of the former hospital is a unique opportunity for development, innovation and influence for Quebec and the city. It is an opportunity to develop and enhance this exceptional site, while contributing to the well-being of Montrealers. Let's be visionary, let's be courageous, let's be bold!
This video contains three projected scenes that illustrate the vision of the two organizations for the future of the site. It shows various possibilities for greening the site (reforestation, gardens, urban agriculture), all with a view to connecting with Mount Royal Park, greening and sustainable development. This includes the restoration of the buildings and the public swimming pool, as well as the development of the heritage trades. The accessibility of the site in all seasons is also fundamental. The site becomes the gateway to Mount Royal Park from downtown; it is connected, open to all, and equipped with a reception centre, local services, meeting places and community spaces. A multifunctional site, it is finally presented as a place of contemplation and innovation that bridges the gap between the past and the future; a place of work, study and research where great minds meet and enjoy this spectacular entrance to our mountain.
With this video, the two organisations ask :
- Urgent restoration of the buildings to avoid further deterioration due to vacancy;
- Landscaping and greening actions that allow better access to the mountain as an extension of Mount Royal Park towards downtown;
- Maintaining public ownership of the land in order to avoid fragmentation and to ensure coherence in the short, medium and long term, in a context of multiple occupants;
- The implementation of modern planning, governance and financing tools to preserve the integrity of the site, its heritage character and its civic and community vocation.
Public decision-makers must demand an exemplary project, collaborate to achieve a clear and innovative vision for the whole site, and guide its redevelopment to meet the needs and aspirations of the community.
Joint press release, 8 September 2021 (Link to come)
How can you actively participate in the protection of the site and its requalification?
- Make your voice heard at the OCPM!
- Share the video or this article on social media. Follow this link to find the video on Facebook. Click here to share the Youtube video.
For more information
See the Memento of the Royal Victoria Hospital for more information on the site.
See the co-signed opinion letter published in La Presse on 19 December 2020.
Consult the Radio-Canada report "L'ancien hôpital Royal Victoria, nouvelle porte d'accès au mont Royal" produced in June 2021.
Royal Victoria Hospital Site Heritage Interest Statement, May 7, 2013, by Ville de Montréal.
2 comments
What a valuable heritage, but what an opening to incredible potential for public services!
The site should not be given to McGill University, which has more than its share of the cake. It must serve the public interest exclusively: public services, help for the homeless, etc.