Place to sleep: Hotel Place D'Armes, Montréal, Canada

About this place:

The three historic buildings housing Le Place d’Armes Hotel & Suites all date back to the late 19PthP century. These regal structures were originally home to some of the pre-eminent businesses of the time, and their architecture recalls an era devoted to unmatched craftsmanship and detail.

The western-most building, situated at 701 Cote de la Place d’Armes, dates back to 1870, when the Great Scottish Life Insurance Company built a five-story building for its Montreal headquarters. The architectural firm of Hopkins & Willy designed the magnificent structure, which became recognized as a powerful symbol of turn-of-the-century Lower Canada. Its architectural characteristics have endured over time, serving as a reminder of an important historical period in the development of the City of Montreal.

In 1909, the building was extended to Ruelle des Fortifications, and an additional two stories were added to the structure. The architectural firm of Marchand & Haskell oversaw the project, which significantly increased the overall space without compromising the original architectural elements.

On November 7, 1975, the Quebec provincial government officially designated the building as an historic site, recognizing the structure for its cultural value and its exceptional design.

For more than a quarter century, a tenant who could accentuate the architectural beauty of the building could not be found – until the Antonopoulos Group saw the potential, rejuvenated the building and opened its doors in 2000 as Hotel Place d’Armes. This four-star property received numerous awards, including consecutive Tourism Montreal “Prix Ulysse” awards, as well as silver and gold medals in the finals of the Grand Prix du Tourisme Québécois.

Le Place d’Armes’ middle building, located at 53-57 St. Jacques, was the former head office of the People’s Bank. Built in 1894 and designed by the architectural firm Perrault, Mesnard and Venne, this seven-story building boasted a huge atrium lobby surrounded by offices – an important innovation for Montreal’s architecture at the time.

In 1895 the People’s Bank declared bankruptcy, and four years later the building was sold to businessman and politician Gaspard De Serres. The building subsequently became the headquarters of the Hochelaga Bank until 1920.

In 1975, the structure was designated a historic site by the Quebec provincial government. Four years later, a fire ruined the building and destroyed the atrium, but in 1989, the façade was restored and the interior renovated. The building underwent various other tenants until the Antonopoulos Group purchased the building in 2004 with the dream of expanding Hotel Place d’Armes.

The eastern-most building of Le Place d’Armes, located at 43-51 St. Jacques, was built in 1869. Owner Alexander Cross, a well-known Montreal lawyer, leased the multifunctional building to a variety of tenants.

In 1885 and 1893, two fires caused massive damage to the buildings. By the end of the 19PthP century, a restaurant was launched on the main floor.

In 1929, the building was sold to stockbroker Maxwell Cummings who remained proprietor until 1977, when the building was designated a heritage site by the Quebec provincial government. The Antonopoulos Group purchased the building in 2002.

Today, these three heritage buildings have been artfully connected and were launched as Le Place d’Armes Hotel & Suites in 2005. This elegant boutique hotel is a true mélange of old and new. Le Place d’Armes has restored the spirit of its original buildings, celebrating their prestige and splendour while contributing to the revitalization Old Montreal, a neighbourhood that was once the cornerstone of Montreal’s foundation.