Montreal Underground City

Montreal Underground City

Montreal Underground City, Canada

Background: Montreal is known for its winter season lasting about four to five months each year. Thanks to the Underground City, the commercial district has expanded its business and socio-cultural activities throughout all twelve months of the year.

Location: This rectangular area, spanning approximately 12 square kilometers, is situated precisely between two major geographical landmarks. To the north is Mount Royal (MONT-ROYAL), and to the south is the Saint Lawrence River.

Commerce: In reality, ten metro stations and two metro lines are connected to 30,000 meters of underground passageways, indoor public plazas, and large commercial centers. The Underground City is essentially another Montreal. To avoid the harsh weather above, half a million people enter 60 interconnected buildings each day, accessing over 3.6 million square meters of space. This includes 80 percent of the city's total office space and commercial areas that make up 35 percent of the downtown core.

History: In the 1950s, the city’s main commercial district began to take shape. During this time, the Queen Elizabeth Hotel was built, featuring 1,040 rooms and facing RENÉ-LÉVESQUE BOULEVARD, which was formerly known as Dorchester Boulevard.