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Coordinates: 45°30′11″N 73°34′19″W / 45.503°N 73.572°W / 45.503; -73.572
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{{multiple issues
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{{short description|Network of interconnected buildings in the central business district of Montreal, Quebec, Canada}}
{{Infobox shopping mall
{{Infobox shopping mall
| shopping_mall_name =RÉSO
| name = RÉSO
| image = Logo du RÉSO.png
| image = Logo du RÉSO.png
| image_width =
| image_width =
| caption =
| caption =
| location = [[Montreal]], [[Quebec]], [[Canada]]
| location = [[Montreal]], [[Quebec]], Canada; some segments in [[Westmount, Quebec|Westmount]]
| coordinates =
| coordinates =
| address =
| address =
| opening_date = 1962
| opening_date = 1962
| closing_date =
| closing_date =
| developer =
| developer =
| manager =
| manager =
| owner =
| owner =
| architect =
| number_of_stores = +1600
| architect =
| number_of_stores =
| number_of_anchors =
| number_of_anchors =
| floor_area =
| floors = Usually 3 or 4, sometimes 2
| floor_area =
| floors = 1
| website =
| website =
| footnotes =
| belowstyle =
| footnotes =
}}
}}
'''The Underground City''' (officially '''RÉSO''' or '''La Ville Souterraine''' in [[French language|French]]) is the name applied to a series of interconnected office towers, hotels, shopping centres, residential and commercial complexes, convention halls, universities and performing arts venues that form the heart of [[Montreal|Montreal's]] [[central business district]], colloquially referred to as [[Downtown Montreal]]. The name refers to the underground connections between the buildings that compose the network, in addition to the network's complete integration with the city's entirely subterranean [[rapid transit]] system, the [[Montreal Metro|Métro]]. Moreover, the first iteration of the Underground City was developed out of the open pit at the southern entrance to the [[Mount Royal Tunnel]], where [[Place Ville Marie]] and [[Central Station (Montreal)|Central Station]] stand today.
'''RÉSO''', commonly referred to as the '''Underground City''' ({{langx|fr|La ville souterraine}}), is the name applied to a series of interconnected office towers, hotels, shopping centres, residential and commercial complexes, convention halls, universities and performing arts venues that form the heart of [[Montreal]]'s [[central business district]], colloquially referred to as [[Downtown Montreal]]. The name refers to the underground connections between the buildings that compose the network, in addition to the network's complete integration with the city's entirely underground [[rapid transit]] system, the [[Montreal Metro]]. Moreover, the first iteration of the Underground City was developed out of the open pit at the southern entrance to the [[Mount Royal Tunnel]], where [[Place Ville Marie]] and [[Central Station (Montreal)|Central Station]] stand today.


[[Image:Montreal 11 db.jpg|thumb|right|The lower floors of the [[Montreal Eaton Centre|Eaton Centre]] between the [[McGill (Montreal Metro)|McGill]] and [[Peel (Montreal Metro)|Peel]] Metro stations]]
[[Image:Montreal 11 db.jpg|thumb|right|The lower floors of the [[Montreal Eaton Centre|Eaton Centre]] between the [[McGill (Montreal Metro)|McGill]] and [[Peel (Montreal Metro)|Peel]] Metro stations]]
Though most of the connecting tunnels pass underground, some passageways and all the principal access points are located at ground level and it has a few skywalks. In this regard, the Underground City is more of an indoor city (ville intérieure) than a truly subterranean city, although there are vast commercial sectors located entirely underground.
Though most of the connecting tunnels pass underground, many of the key passageways and principal access points are located at ground level, and there is also one skybridge (between [[Lucien-L'Allier station (Montreal Metro)|Lucien-L'Allier Metro station]] and [[Lucien-L'Allier station (RTM)|Gare Lucien L'Allier]]). In this regard, the Underground City is more of an indoor city (ville intérieure) than a truly subterranean city, although there are vast commercial sectors located entirely underground.


The network is particularly useful during Montreal's long winters, during which time well over half a million citizens are estimated to use it every day. The network is largely climate controlled and well-lit, and is arranged in a u-shape with two principal north-south axes connected by an east-west axis. Combined, there are 32 kilometres' worth of tunnels over twelve square kilometres of the most densely populated part of Montreal. In total, there are more than 120 exterior access points to the network, not including the sixty or so Métro stations located outside the official limits of the Réso, some of which have their own smaller tunnel networks. Some of the city's larger institutions, namely [[McGill University]], the [[Montreal Museum of Fine Arts]], [[Concordia University]] and the [[Université de Montréal]], also have campus tunnel networks separate from the Underground City.
The network is particularly useful during Montreal's long winters, during which time well over half a million people are estimated to use it every day. The network is largely climate controlled and well-lit, and is arranged in a U-shape with two principal north–south axes connected by an east–west axis. Combined, there are {{convert|32|km|mi}} of tunnels over {{convert|12|km2|mi2}} of the most densely populated part of Montreal. In total, there are more than 120 exterior access points to the network, not including the sixty or so Metro station entrances located outside the official limits of the RÉSO, some of which have their own smaller tunnel networks. Some of the city's larger institutions, namely [[McGill University]], the [[Montreal Museum of Fine Arts]], [[Concordia University]], [[Université de Montréal]] and the [[Université du Québec à Montréal]] also have campus tunnel networks separate from the underground city.


==Overview==
==Overview==

In 2004, the downtown network of the underground city was re-branded and given the name '''RÉSO''', which is a [[homophone]] of the French word ''réseau'', or network. The "O" at the end of the word is the logo of the Montreal Metro. Schematic maps bearing the RÉSO logo are found throughout the network. The largest and best-known segment is located in the centre of downtown, delimited by the [[Peel (Montreal Metro)|Peel]] and [[Place-des-Arts (Montreal Metro)|Place-des-Arts]] Metro stations on the [[Line 1 Green (Montreal Metro)|Green Line]] and the [[Lucien-L'Allier (Montreal Metro)|Lucien-L'Allier]] and [[Place-d'Armes (Montreal Metro)|Place-d'Armes]] stations on the [[Line 2 Orange (Montreal Metro)|Orange Line]].
In 2004, the downtown network of the underground city was re-branded and given the name '''RÉSO''', which is a [[homophone]] of the French word ''réseau'', or network. The "O" at the end of the word is the logo of the Montreal Metro. Schematic maps bearing the RÉSO logo are found throughout the network. The largest and best-known segment is located in the centre of downtown, delimited by the [[Peel (Montreal Metro)|Peel]] and [[Place-des-Arts (Montreal Metro)|Place-des-Arts]] Metro stations on the [[Line 1 Green (Montreal Metro)|Green Line]] and the [[Lucien-L'Allier (Montreal Metro)|Lucien-L'Allier]] and [[Place-d'Armes (Montreal Metro)|Place-d'Armes]] stations on the [[Line 2 Orange (Montreal Metro)|Orange Line]].


The underground city is promoted as an important tourist attraction by most Montreal travel guidebooks, and as an urban planning achievement it is impressive. For most Montrealers, however, it tends to be considered more as a large mall complex linking Metro stations — they may not even know they are in it. Many Canadian cities have some kind of tunnel or skywalk system downtown to help people avoid the weather. Most parts of the Montreal underground city are open while the Metro is in operation (5:30 AM to 1:00 AM), though some are closed outside of business hours. Maps of the underground city and the Metro can be obtained free of charge from all Metro stations, and the network of buildings is indicated on most maps of the downtown core.
The underground city is promoted as an important tourist attraction by most Montreal travel guidebooks, and as an urban planning achievement it is impressive.{{cn|date=January 2020}} For most Montrealers, however, it tends to be considered more as a large mall complex{{cn|date=January 2020}} linking Metro stations—they may not even know they are in it. Many Canadian cities have some kind of tunnel or skywalk system downtown to help people avoid the weather. Most parts of the Montreal underground city are open while the Metro is in operation (5:30 AM to 1:00 AM), though some are closed outside of business hours. Maps of the underground city and the Metro can be obtained free of charge from all Metro stations, and the network of buildings is indicated on most maps of the downtown core.


The RÉSO is possibly the most famous among other underground cities in the world, used by more people than any other locale. Nearly 500,000 people use it per day. It is also the largest underground complex in the world. It stretches for 32 kilometers (20 miles) and covers 4 million square meters. According to official statistics, its corridors link up with 10 metro stations, 2 bus terminals, 1,200 offices, about 2,000 stores including 2 major department stores, approximately 1,600 housing units, 200 restaurants, 40 banks, 40 movie theatres and other entertainment venues, 7 major hotels, 4 universities, Place des Arts, a cathedral, the Bell Centre (home of the Montreal Canadiens), and 3 exhibition halls: the Place Bonaventure, the Convention Centre (Palais des Congrès de Montréal) and the Olympic Centre.
Nearly 500,000 people use it per day.{{cn|date=February 2020}} It is also the largest underground complex in the world.{{cn|date=January 2020}} It stretches for 32 kilometers (20 miles) and covers 4 million square meters (one and a half square miles). According to official statistics, its corridors link up with 10 metro stations, 2 bus terminals, 1,200 offices, about 2,000 stores including 2 major department stores, approximately 1,600 housing units, 200 restaurants, 40 banks, movie theatres providing 40 screens and other entertainment venues, 7 major hotels, 4 universities, Place des Arts, a cathedral, the Bell Centre (home of the Montreal Canadiens), and 3 exhibition halls: the Place Bonaventure, the Convention Centre (Palais des Congrès de Montréal) and the Olympic Centre.


==History of the central segment==
==History of the central segment==
⚫
The vision for the underground city was originally that of [[urbanist]] [[Vincent Ponte]], for whom a commemorative plaque was unveiled in November 2006 at Place Ville Marie.<ref name=Founder>{{cite web |title=Un hommage à l'initiateur du Montréal souterrain |publisher=Médias Transcontinental S.E.N.C. |date=2006-11-19 |url=http://www.levm.ca/article-53263-Un-hommage-a-linitiateur-du-Montreal-souterrain.html |access-date=2007-08-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927063600/http://www.levm.ca/article-53263-Un-hommage-a-linitiateur-du-Montreal-souterrain.html |archive-date=2007-09-27 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The first link of the underground city arose with the construction of the [[Place Ville Marie]] office tower and underground [[shopping mall]], opened in 1962 and built to cover an unsightly pit of railway tracks north of the [[Central Station (Montreal)|Central Station]]. Two tunnels linked it to Central Station and the [[Queen Elizabeth Hotel]].

⚫
The vision for the underground city was originally that of [[urbanist]] [[Vincent Ponte]], for whom a commemorative plaque was unveiled in November 2006 at Place Ville-Marie.<ref name = Founder>{{cite web | title = Un hommage à l'initiateur du Montréal souterrain | publisher = Médias Transcontinental S.E.N.C.| date = 2006-11-19 | url=http://www.levm.ca/article-53263-Un-hommage-a-linitiateur-du-Montreal-souterrain.html}}</ref> The first link of the underground city arose with the construction of the [[Place Ville-Marie]] office tower and underground [[shopping mall]], built in 1962 to cover an unsightly pit of railway tracks north of the [[Central Station (Montreal)|Central Station]]. A tunnel linked it to Central Station and the [[Queen Elizabeth Hotel]].


The advent of the [[Montreal Metro]] in 1966, in time for [[Expo 67]], brought tunnels joining [[Bonaventure (Montreal Metro)|Bonaventure]] station to the Château Champlain hotel, the Place du Canada office tower, [[Place Bonaventure]], Central Station, and [[Windsor Station (Montreal)|Windsor Station]], forming the core of the Underground City. [[Square-Victoria-OACI (Montreal Metro)|Square-Victoria-OACI station]] connected to the Tour de la Bourse, Montreal's [[stock exchange]] building.
The advent of the [[Montreal Metro]] in 1966, in time for [[Expo 67]], brought tunnels joining [[Bonaventure (Montreal Metro)|Bonaventure]] station to the Château Champlain hotel, the Place du Canada office tower, [[Place Bonaventure]], Central Station, and [[Windsor Station (Montreal)|Windsor Station]], forming the core of the Underground City. [[Square-Victoria-OACI (Montreal Metro)|Square-Victoria-OACI station]] connected to the Tour de la Bourse, Montreal's [[stock exchange]] building.
Line 49: Line 50:
Between 1984 and 1992, the underground city expanded, with the construction of three major linked shopping centres in the Peel and McGill Metro station areas: Cours Mont-Royal, Place Montréal-Trust, and the [[Promenades Cathédrale]] (built underneath [[Christ Church Cathedral (Montreal)|Christ Church Cathedral]]). McGill station was already linked with [[Hudson's Bay (retailer)|The Bay]], [[Eaton's]] (now the [[Complexe Les Ailes (Montreal)|Complexe Les Ailes]]), [[Centre Eaton (Montreal)|Centre Eaton]], and two other office/mall complexes. Between 1984 and 1989, the underground city grew from {{convert|12|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} of passages to almost {{convert|22|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}.
Between 1984 and 1992, the underground city expanded, with the construction of three major linked shopping centres in the Peel and McGill Metro station areas: Cours Mont-Royal, Place Montréal-Trust, and the [[Promenades Cathédrale]] (built underneath [[Christ Church Cathedral (Montreal)|Christ Church Cathedral]]). McGill station was already linked with [[Hudson's Bay (retailer)|The Bay]], [[Eaton's]] (now the [[Complexe Les Ailes (Montreal)|Complexe Les Ailes]]), [[Centre Eaton (Montreal)|Centre Eaton]], and two other office/mall complexes. Between 1984 and 1989, the underground city grew from {{convert|12|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} of passages to almost {{convert|22|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}.


Mega-projects added to the size throughout the 1990s, including Le [[1000 De La Gauchetière]] (the tallest building in Montreal), [[1250 René-Lévesque Ouest|Le 1250 René-Lévesque]], and the [[World Trade Centre Montreal|Montreal World Trade Centre]]. Although these buildings have only a secondary commercial sector, they use their connection to the underground city as a selling point for their office space. Also, the construction of a tunnel between Eaton Centre and [[Place Ville-Marie]] consolidated the two central halves of the underground city. The construction of the [[Bell Centre|Bell (originally Molson) Centre]] connected Lucien-L'Allier Metro station to the underground city, as well as replacing Windsor Station with the new [[Lucien-L'Allier (AMT)|Gare Lucien-L'Allier]] commuter train station.
Mega-projects added to the size of the network throughout the 1990s, including Le [[1000 De La Gauchetière]] (the tallest building in Montreal), [[1250 René-Lévesque Ouest|Le 1250 René-Lévesque]], and the [[World Trade Centre Montreal|Montreal World Trade Centre]]. Although these buildings have only a secondary commercial sector, they use their connection to the underground city as a selling point for their office space.{{cn|date=January 2020}} Also, the construction of a tunnel between Eaton Centre and [[Place Ville-Marie]] consolidated the two central halves of the underground city. The construction of the [[Bell Centre|Bell (originally Molson) Centre]] connected Lucien-L'Allier Metro station to the underground city, as well as replacing Windsor Station with the new [[Lucien-L'Allier (AMT)|Gare Lucien-L'Allier]] commuter train station.


[[Image:ville-souterraine-2.jpg|left|thumb|400px|The tunnel between the Centre CDP Capital and the Palais des Congrès. A display case sponsored by the [[Canadian Centre for Architecture]] holds a [[video art]]work about the underground city.]]
[[Image:ville-souterraine-2.jpg|left|thumb|400px|The tunnel between the Centre CDP Capital and the Palais des Congrès. A display case sponsored by the [[Canadian Centre for Architecture]] holds a [[video art]]work about the underground city.]]


Finally, in 2003, the complete redevelopment of the [[Quartier international de Montréal]] consolidated several segments of the central underground city with continuous pedestrian corridors. The construction of the [[International Civil Aviation Organization|ICAO]] headquarters joined [[Place Bonaventure]] to [[Square-Victoria-OACI (Montreal Metro)|Square-Victoria-OACI]] station, which in turn was joined to the [[Palais des congrès de Montréal|Palais des Congrès]] and [[Place-d'Armes (Montreal Metro)|Place-d'Armes]] station via the new [[Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec|Caisse de dépôt et de placement]] building and a tunnel under [[Place Jean-Paul Riopelle]]. Uniquely, the new tunnel sections in the Quartier International contain educational and artistic displays sponsored by major Montreal museums. As a result of this construction, one can now walk all the way across the centre of downtown, from the [[UQAM]] Sherbrooke Pavilion at the corner of Sainte Famille Street and [[Sherbrooke Street]] to the [[Lucien-L'Allier (Montreal Metro)|Lucien-L'Allier]] Metro station just south-west of the [[Bell Centre]], without going outside&nbsp;— a span of {{convert|1.7|km|mi|1|abbr=on}} as the crow flies, or approximately {{convert|3|km|mi|0}} walking distance.
Most recently, in 2003, the complete redevelopment of the [[Quartier international de Montréal]] consolidated several segments of the central underground city with continuous pedestrian corridors. The construction of the [[International Civil Aviation Organization|ICAO]] headquarters joined [[Place Bonaventure]] to [[Square-Victoria-OACI (Montreal Metro)|Square-Victoria-OACI]] station, which in turn was joined to the [[Palais des congrès de Montréal|Palais des Congrès]] and [[Place-d'Armes (Montreal Metro)|Place-d'Armes]] station via the new [[Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec|Caisse de dépôt et de placement]] building and a tunnel under [[Place Jean-Paul Riopelle]]. Uniquely, the new tunnel sections in the Quartier International contain educational and artistic displays sponsored by major Montreal museums. As a result of this construction, one can now walk all the way across the centre of downtown, from the [[UQAM]] Sherbrooke Pavilion at the corner of Sainte Famille Street and [[Sherbrooke Street]] to the [[Lucien-L'Allier (Montreal Metro)|Lucien-L'Allier]] Metro station just south-west of the [[Bell Centre]], without going outside—a span of {{convert|1.7|km|mi|1|abbr=on}} as the crow flies, or approximately {{convert|3|km|mi|0}} walking distance.


===Structural concerns, 2007 closure===
===Structural concerns, 2007 closure===
{{wikinews|Loss of integrity in underground city tunnel causes evacuation of Downtown Montreal}}
{{wikinews|Loss of integrity in underground city tunnel causes evacuation of Downtown Montreal}}
On Friday, August 24, 2007, construction crews discovered a seven-meter-long fissure in the ceiling of an underground corridor linking the [[McGill (Montreal Metro)|McGill]] station to [[Hudson's Bay (retailer)|The Bay]] store located under [[de Maisonneuve Boulevard]], between Aylmer Street and Union Avenue.<ref>[http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=8c820fb4-b9ef-42d7-aa3f-2de729468063&k=80190 City core in chaos<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The station, the Underground City shops, and above ground streets and buildings were closed to assess whether there was any risk of collapse of the structure. Service on the [[Montreal Metro|Métro]] [[Line 1 Green (Montreal Metro)|Green Line]] was halted between [[Berri-UQAM (Montreal Metro)|Berri-UQAM]] and [[Lionel-Groulx (Montreal Metro)|Lionel-Groulx]] stations until Sunday evening. According to a spokesperson for the [[Hudson's Bay Company]], city workers may have caused the damage by hitting a nearby pillar.<ref>[http://www.cyberpresse.ca/article/20070825/CPACTUALITES/70825003/6730/CPACTUALITES Sara Champagne, Bruno Bisson et Martin Croteau : Le centre-ville paralysé | Actualités | Cyberpresse<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
On Friday, August 24, 2007, construction crews discovered a seven-meter (23 foot) long fissure in the ceiling of an underground corridor linking the [[McGill (Montreal Metro)|McGill]] station to [[Hudson's Bay (retailer)|The Bay]] store located under [[de Maisonneuve Boulevard]], between Aylmer Street and Union Avenue.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=8c820fb4-b9ef-42d7-aa3f-2de729468063&k=80190 |title=City core in chaos<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=2007-08-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070827101435/http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=8c820fb4-b9ef-42d7-aa3f-2de729468063&k=80190 |archive-date=2007-08-27 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The station, the Underground City shops, and above ground streets and buildings were closed to assess whether there was any risk of collapse of the structure. Service on the [[Montreal Metro|Métro]] [[Line 1 Green (Montreal Metro)|Green Line]] was halted between [[Berri-UQAM (Montreal Metro)|Berri-UQAM]] and [[Lionel-Groulx (Montreal Metro)|Lionel-Groulx]] stations until Sunday evening. According to a spokesperson for the [[Hudson's Bay Company]], city workers may have caused the damage by hitting a nearby pillar.<ref>[http://www.cyberpresse.ca/article/20070825/CPACTUALITES/70825003/6730/CPACTUALITES Sara Champagne, Bruno Bisson et Martin Croteau : Le centre-ville paralysé | Actualités | Cyberpresse<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>


During the weekend, city workcrews worked non-stop to shore up the sagging slab of concrete, installing more than one thousand temporary metal supports.
During the weekend, city workcrews worked non-stop to shore up the sagging slab of concrete, installing more than 1,000 temporary metal supports.


On Monday, August 27, 2007, service was restored to the Green Line, and all streets but the block of de Maisonneuve boulevard between Union and Aylmer were reopened to traffic. The one block that was not open to traffic was open to pedestrians. All buildings reopened, including The Bay. Officials said that it would take months to fix the problem.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2007/08/27/montreal-metro.html | work=CBC News | title=Montreal streets, subway line reopen after tunnel repairs | date=2007-08-27}}</ref><ref>[http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070827/montreal_subway_070827/20070827?hub=Canada CTV.ca | Subway, stores reopen in Mtl. after tunnel scare<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=277e823a-0bc2-4878-9b94-2987155275c2&k=26410 De Maisonneuve fix to take months<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> While inspecting the site, it was discovered that 2021 Union, the Parkade Montreal building, was in danger of having concrete side panels fall off. City engineers performed emergency repairs. A report later blamed the construction of a bike path for the damage.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jason |last=Magder |title=Bay study blames de Maisonneuve bike path for crack in underground |url=http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=786d5449-0062-45b2-9b34-ddebed2f81da&k=2686 |work=Montreal Gazette |publisher=Canwest |date=2008-02-27 |accessdate=2008-04-16 }}</ref> Street traffic on De Maisonneuve resumed in March 2008.
On Monday, August 27, 2007, service was restored to the Green Line, and all streets but the block of de Maisonneuve boulevard between Union and Aylmer were reopened to traffic. The one block that was not open to traffic was open to pedestrians. All buildings reopened, including The Bay. Officials said that it would take months to fix the problem.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/montreal-streets-subway-line-reopen-after-tunnel-repairs-1.652958 |agency=CBC News |title=Montreal streets, subway line reopen after tunnel repairs |date=2007-08-27}}</ref><ref>[http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070827/montreal_subway_070827/20070827?hub=Canada CTV.ca | Subway, stores reopen in Mtl. after tunnel scare<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070830054154/http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070827/montreal_subway_070827/20070827?hub=Canada |date=2007-08-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=277e823a-0bc2-4878-9b94-2987155275c2&k=26410 |title=De Maisonneuve fix to take months<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=2007-08-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071205183338/http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=277e823a-0bc2-4878-9b94-2987155275c2&k=26410 |archive-date=2007-12-05 |url-status=dead }}</ref> While inspecting the site, it was discovered that 2021 Union, the Parkade Montreal building, was in danger of having concrete side panels fall off.{{cn|date=January 2020}} City engineers performed emergency repairs. A report later blamed the construction of a bike path for the damage.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jason |last=Magder |title=Bay study blames de Maisonneuve bike path for crack in underground |url=http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=786d5449-0062-45b2-9b34-ddebed2f81da&k=2686 |work=Montreal Gazette |publisher=Canwest |date=2008-02-27 |access-date=2008-04-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080403092236/http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=786d5449-0062-45b2-9b34-ddebed2f81da&k=2686 |archive-date=2008-04-03}}</ref> Street traffic on De Maisonneuve resumed in March 2008.


==Central segment==
==Central segment==
The central segment interconnects the following seven Metro stations via indoor walkway. As the [[Berri-UQAM (Montreal Metro)|Berri-UQAM]] station, which allows transfers between the [[Line 1 Green (Montreal Metro)|Green]], [[Line 2 Orange (Montreal Metro)|Orange]] and [[Line 4 Yellow (Montreal Metro)|Yellow]] lines, is two Metro stops from the closest station in this segment, in many cases it is quicker to walk than to take the metro. The lists of connected facilities which follow are grouped by segment and nearest Metro station.
The central segment interconnects the following seven Metro stations via indoor walkway. As the [[Berri-UQAM (Montreal Metro)|Berri-UQAM]] station, which allows transfers between the [[Line 1 Green (Montreal Metro)|Green]], [[Line 2 Orange (Montreal Metro)|Orange]] and [[Line 4 Yellow (Montreal Metro)|Yellow]] lines, is two Metro stops from the closest station in this segment, in many cases it is quicker to walk than to take the Metro. The lists of connected facilities which follow are grouped by segment and nearest Metro station.


===[[Bonaventure (Montreal Metro)|Bonaventure]]===
===[[Bonaventure (Montreal Metro)|Bonaventure]]===
[[Image:Halles, Central train station, Montreal 2006-01-09.JPG|thumb|right|250px|Halles de la gare, going ''from'' Central Station ''to'' Place Ville-Marie]]
[[File:Halles, Central train station, Montreal 2006-01-09.JPG|thumb|right|250px|Halles de la gare, going ''from'' Central Station ''to'' Place Ville-Marie]]
*[[Place Bonaventure]]
*[[Place Bonaventure]]
**[[Société de transport de Montréal|STM headquarters]]
**[[Société de transport de Montréal|STM headquarters]]
Line 73: Line 74:
*[[Place Ville-Marie]]
*[[Place Ville-Marie]]
** ''(access to McGill Metro station via Le [[Centre Eaton (Montreal)|Centre Eaton]])''
** ''(access to McGill Metro station via Le [[Centre Eaton (Montreal)|Centre Eaton]])''
*Édifice [[Gare Windsor]]&nbsp;— former [[Canadian Pacific Railway]] headquarters
*Édifice [[Gare Windsor]]&nbsp;– former [[Canadian Pacific Railway]] headquarters
** ''(access to Lucien-L'Allier Metro station via Bell Centre)''
** ''(access to Lucien-L'Allier Metro station via Bell Centre)''
*[[1250 René Lévesque]]
*[[1250 René Lévesque]]
*Place du Canada&nbsp;— Château Champlain Hotel
*Place du Canada&nbsp;– Château Champlain Hotel
*[[Gare Centrale (Montreal)|Central Station]]&nbsp;— [[Via Rail]], [[Agence métropolitaine de transport|AMT]] and [[Amtrak]]
*[[Gare Centrale (Montreal)|Central Station]]&nbsp;– [[Via Rail]], [[Agence métropolitaine de transport|AMT]], [[Amtrak]], and [[Réseau_express_métropolitain|REM]]
**Les Halles de la Gare
**Les Halles de la Gare
**[[Canadian National Railway|CN]] headquarters
**[[Canadian National Railway|CN]] headquarters
*[[Queen Elizabeth Hotel]]
*[[Queen Elizabeth Hotel]]
*[[Marriott Château Champlain]]
*Le [[1000 de La Gauchetière]]
*Le [[1000 de La Gauchetière]]
**[[Terminus Centre-Ville (AMT)|RTL Terminus Centre-Ville]] (suburban bus terminal)
**[[Terminus Centre-Ville (AMT)|RTL Terminus Centre-Ville]] (suburban bus terminal)
Line 87: Line 87:
===[[Square-Victoria-OACI (Montreal Metro)|Square-Victoria-OACI]]===
===[[Square-Victoria-OACI (Montreal Metro)|Square-Victoria-OACI]]===
[[Image:Montrea-Square Victoria Metro Station-Metropolitain-01.png|thumb|right|250px|Square-Victoria-OACI Metro entrance, featuring the [[Paris Metro]] style entrance which was restored in 2003]]
[[Image:Montrea-Square Victoria Metro Station-Metropolitain-01.png|thumb|right|250px|Square-Victoria-OACI Metro entrance, featuring the [[Paris Metro]] style entrance which was restored in 2003]]
[[File:Centre de commerce mondial de Montréal souterrain.jpg|thumb|right|175px|Inside the underground portion of the [[World Trade Centre Montreal|Centre de commerce mondial de Montréal]]]]
*ICAO [[ICAO|(International Civil Aviation Organization)]]
*ICAO [[ICAO|(International Civil Aviation Organization)]]
** ''(access to Bonaventure Metro station via Place Bonaventure)''
** ''(access to Bonaventure Metro station via Place Bonaventure)''
Line 107: Line 108:
*[[Palais des congrès de Montréal]]
*[[Palais des congrès de Montréal]]
** ''(access to Square-Victoria-OACI Metro station via Place de la Cité internationale)''
** ''(access to Square-Victoria-OACI Metro station via Place de la Cité internationale)''
*205 Rue Viger Ouest – [[Collège supérieur de Montréal]]
*[[Complexe Guy-Favreau]] ([[Government of Canada]])
*[[Complexe Guy-Favreau]] ([[Government of Canada]])
** ''(access to Place-des-Arts Metro station via Complexe Desjardins)''
** ''(access to Place-des-Arts Metro station via Complexe Desjardins)''
Line 113: Line 115:
[[Image:Place des Arts, light well, Montreal 2005-10-21.JPG|thumb|right|250px|Skylight in [[Place des Arts]] corridor towards [[Place-des-Arts (Montreal Metro)|Metro station]]]]
[[Image:Place des Arts, light well, Montreal 2005-10-21.JPG|thumb|right|250px|Skylight in [[Place des Arts]] corridor towards [[Place-des-Arts (Montreal Metro)|Metro station]]]]
*[[Complexe Desjardins]]
*[[Complexe Desjardins]]
** Hôtel Hyatt Regency
** Hôtel DoubleTree by Hilton
** ''(access to Place-d'Armes Metro station via Complexe Guy-Favreau)''
** ''(access to Place-d'Armes Metro station via Complexe Guy-Favreau)''
*UQAM [[UQAM|(Université du Québec à Montréal)]]
*UQAM [[UQAM|(Université du Québec à Montréal)]]
Line 126: Line 128:


===[[Peel (Montreal Metro)|Peel]]===
===[[Peel (Montreal Metro)|Peel]]===
*Carrefour Industrielle-Alliance (formerly ''Simpsons'')
*{{ill|Carrefour Industrielle Alliance|fr}} (formerly [[Simpsons (department store)|Simpsons]])
**[[Cineplex Entertainment|Cinema Banque Scotia]] (IMAX) (formerly ''Cinema Paramount'')
**[[Cineplex Entertainment|Cinema Banque Scotia]] (IMAX) (formerly ''Cinema Paramount'')
**Simons
**Simons
Line 139: Line 141:
*[[Les Cours Mont-Royal]]
*[[Les Cours Mont-Royal]]


===[[McGill (Montreal Metro)|McGill]]===
===[[McGill station|McGill]]===
[[Image:Montréal - Métro McGill - 20050310.jpg|thumb|right|250px|McGill Metro before renovations]]
[[Image:Montréal - Métro McGill - 20050310.jpg|thumb|right|250px|McGill Metro before renovations]]
*[[Montreal Eaton Centre|Centre Eaton]]/[[1501 McGill College]] (located on former site of ''Les Terrasses'')
*[[Montreal Eaton Centre|Centre Eaton]]/[[1501 McGill College]] (located on former site of ''Les Terrasses''; includes former [[Complexe Les Ailes]])
** ''(access to Bonaventure Metro station via Place Ville-Marie/Gare Centrale)''
** ''(access to Bonaventure Metro station via Place Ville-Marie/Gare Centrale)''
*[[Place Montreal Trust]]
*[[Place Montreal Trust]]
Line 147: Line 149:
*Tour Industrielle-Vie
*Tour Industrielle-Vie
*1801 McGill College Avenue building
*1801 McGill College Avenue building
*[[2020 University]]
*[[2020 Robert-Bourassa]]
*Place London Life/Les Galeries 2001 University
*Place London Life/Les Galeries 2001 University
*[[McGill University]]&nbsp;— 688 Sherbrooke building
*[[McGill University]]&nbsp;– 688 Sherbrooke building
*[[Hudson's Bay (retailer)|The Bay]]
*[[Hudson's Bay (retailer)|The Bay]]
*Le Parkade (2021 Union)
*Le Parkade (2021 Union)
*[[Promenades Cathédrale]]/[[KPMG Tower]]
*[[Promenades Cathédrale]]/[[KPMG Tower]]
*[[Complexe Les Ailes]] (formerly ''Eaton'')


===[[Lucien-L'Allier (Montreal Metro)|Lucien-L'Allier]]===
===[[Lucien-L'Allier (Montreal Metro)|Lucien-L'Allier]]===
*[[Bell Centre|Centre Bell]]
*[[Bell Centre|Centre Bell]]
** ''(access to Bonaventure Metro station via Édifice Gare Windsor)''
** ''(access to Bonaventure Metro station via Édifice Gare Windsor)''
*[[Lucien-L'Allier (AMT)|Gare Lucien-L'Allier]] [[Agence métropolitaine de transport#Commuter Trains|commuter train]] station: [[Dorion-Rigaud Line (AMT)|Dorion-Rigaud]], [[Blainville-Saint-Jerome Line (AMT)|Blainville-Saint-Jerome]] and [[Delson-Candiac Line (AMT)|Delson-Candiac]] lines
*[[Lucien-L'Allier (AMT)|Gare Lucien-L'Allier]] [[Agence métropolitaine de transport#Commuter rail|commuter train]] station: [[Dorion-Rigaud Line (AMT)|Dorion-Rigaud]], [[Blainville-Saint-Jerome Line (AMT)|Blainville-Saint-Jerome]] and [[Delson-Candiac Line (AMT)|Delson-Candiac]] lines
*[[Windsor Station (Montreal)|Windsor Station]]&nbsp;— former [[Canadian Pacific Railway]] headquarters
*[[Windsor Station (Montreal)|Windsor Station]]&nbsp;– former [[Canadian Pacific Railway]] headquarters


==Other downtown segments==
==Berri-UQAM segment==


===[[Berri-UQAM (Montreal Metro)|Berri-UQAM]]===
===[[Berri-UQAM (Montreal Metro)|Berri-UQAM]]===
Line 168: Line 169:
**Judith-Jasmin
**Judith-Jasmin
**Athanase-David
**Athanase-David
**Design
**Hubert-Aquin
**Hubert-Aquin
**Sciences de la gestion
**J.-A. de Sèves
**Centre Pierre-Péladeau
**Thérèse-Casgrain
**Paul-Gérin-Lajoie
*[[Grande Bibliothèque du Québec]]
*[[Grande Bibliothèque du Québec]]
*[[Gare d'autocars de Montréal]]
*[[Gare d'autocars de Montréal]]
Line 174: Line 181:
**Hôtel des Gouverneurs
**Hôtel des Gouverneurs



==Guy-Concordia segment==
[[Image:Guy-Concordia.PNG|100px|right|thumb|Guy-Concordia segment]]
[[File:Guy-Concordia section of the Montreal Underground City.png|thumb|Guy-Concordia segment]]


===[[Guy-Concordia (Montreal Metro)|Guy-Concordia]]===
===[[Guy-Concordia (Montreal Metro)|Guy-Concordia]]===
Line 183: Line 190:
**Engineering, Computer Science and Visual Arts (EV) Complex
**Engineering, Computer Science and Visual Arts (EV) Complex
**[[John Molson School of Business]]
**[[John Molson School of Business]]
**[[J.W. McConnell Building | J.W. McConnell (LB) Building]]
***'' This major new building connects to the EV building and Guy Metro station from the south-western corner of the intersection between Guy and de Maisonneuve streets.''
**[[Henry F. Hall Building | Henry F. Hall (H) Building]]
**JW McConnell Library Building
***'' A tunnel links the Engineering, Computer Science and Visual Arts Complex to the [[Henry F. Hall Building]] and the McConnell Library building.''


==Atwater segment==


===[[Atwater (Montreal Metro)|Atwater]]===
===[[Atwater (Montreal Metro)|Atwater]]===
Line 195: Line 200:
*[[Dawson College]], a major [[CEGEP]]
*[[Dawson College]], a major [[CEGEP]]


===[[Champ-de-Mars (Montreal Metro)|Champ-de-Mars]]===
==Longueuil segment (off-island)==


One metro station away from Place D’Armes, Champ-de-Mars is located right next to the new [[Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal|Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM)]]. It is located near Montreal’s historic buildings and streets in [[Old Montreal]] as well as the [[Old Port of Montreal|Old Port]].
⚫
===[[Longueuil–Université-de-Sherbrooke (Montreal Metro)|Longueuil–Université-de-Sherbrooke]]===

⚫
Situated two Metro stations south of [[Berri-UQAM (Montreal Metro)|Berri-UQAM]], this station is a major hub for bus transportation on the [[South Shore (Montreal)|south shore]].
⚫
*[[Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal]]
⚫
*Shopping, office, and residential complexes
⚫
*[[Terminus Longueuil (AMT)|South shore bus terminal]] for [[Réseau de transport de Longueuil|RTL]], CIT & OMIT lines
⚫
*Satellite campuses of the following universities:
⚫
**[[Université de Sherbrooke]]
⚫
**[[Université de Montréal]]
⚫
**[[Université Laval]]


==Other segments==
==Other segments==


===[[Pie-IX (Montreal Metro)|Pie-IX]]===
===[[Pie-IX (Montreal Metro)|Pie-IX]]===
*[[Olympic Stadium (Montreal)|Olympic Stadium]]
*[[Olympic Stadium (Montreal)|Olympic Stadium]] (this connexion is only open during special events)
*RIO (Régie des installations olympiques)
**RIO (Régie des installations olympiques)
*Regroupement Loisirs Québec
**Regroupement Loisirs Québec


===[[Jean-Talon (Montreal Metro)|Jean-Talon]]===
===[[Jean-Talon (Montreal Metro)|Jean-Talon]]===
This station is the eastern transfer point between the [[Line 2 Orange (Montreal Metro)|Orange]] and [[Line 5 Blue (Montreal Metro)|Blue]] lines.
This station is the eastern transfer point between the [[Line 2 Orange (Montreal Metro)|Orange]] and [[Line 5 Blue (Montreal Metro)|Blue]] lines.
* [[Tour Jean-Talon]]
* Tour Jean-Talon

===[[Université-de-Montréal station|Université-de-Montréal]]===
Situated on the Blue line in between [[Côte-des-Neiges station|Côte-des-Neiges]] and [[Édouard-Montpetit station|Édouard-Montpetit]] stations, this station serves the main campus of the university on the northwest slope of [[Mont Royal|Mount-Royal]]. Although part of the campus has its own private network of underground tunnels including one opening next to the station, no part of the campus is directly connected to the Metro.


===[[Édouard-Montpetit (Montreal Metro)|Édouard-Montpetit]]===
===[[Édouard-Montpetit (Montreal Metro)|Édouard-Montpetit]]===
Situated on the blue line between [[Université-de-Montréal station|Université-de-Montréal ]] and [[Outremont station|Outremont ]] stations, this station serves many [[Université de Montréal]] buildings and will be connected to the future [[Réseau express métropolitain]].
*CEPSUM (Centre d'éducation physique et des sports de [[University of Montreal|l'Université de Montréal]])
*CEPSUM (Centre d'éducation physique et des sports de [[University of Montreal|l'Université de Montréal]])

===[[Vendôme (Montreal Metro)|Vendôme]]===
*[[McGill University Health Centre]] ([[Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal|Royal Victoria Hospital]], [[Montreal Children's Hospital]], [[Montreal Chest Institute]], [[Cedars Cancer Centre]], MUHC Research Institute)
*[[Shriners Hospital for Children – Canada]]
*Brunswick Medical Centre

===[[Montmorency (Montreal Metro)|Montmorency]] (off-island)===
As the terminus of the [[Orange Line (Montreal Metro)|Orange Line ]], this station is a major hub for bus transportation in [[Laval, Quebec|Laval]] and the [[North Shore (Montreal)|north shore.]]
*[[University of Montreal]] – Laval campus

⚫
===[[Longueuil–Université-de-Sherbrooke (Montreal Metro)|Longueuil–Université-de-Sherbrooke]] (off island)===
⚫
As the terminus of the [[Yellow Line (Montreal Metro)|Yellow Line ]], this station is a major hub for bus transportation on the [[South Shore (Montreal)|south shore]].
⚫
*Shopping, office, and residential complexes
⚫
*[[Terminus Longueuil (AMT)|South shore bus terminal]] for [[Réseau de transport de Longueuil|RTL]], CIT & OMIT lines
⚫
*Satellite campuses of the following universities:
⚫
**[[Université de Sherbrooke]]
**[[Université de Montréal]]
⚫
**[[Université Laval]]


==Hotels==
==Hotels==
Line 225: Line 247:
*Hôtel [[InterContinental]]—Square Victoria OACI
*Hôtel [[InterContinental]]—Square Victoria OACI
*Hôtel Le St. James—Square Victoria OACI
*Hôtel Le St. James—Square Victoria OACI
*Hôtel Doubletree by Hilton Montreal-Place-des-Arts
*Hôtel [[Delta Hotels|Delta]] Centre-Ville—Square Victoria OACI
*[[Hôtel Place Dupuis - Ascent by Choice Hotels]]—Berri UQAM (previously Hôtel des Gouverneurs)
*Hôtel Hyatt Regency—Place des Arts
⚫
*[http://hotelbonaventure.com/en Hôtel Bonaventure]—Bonaventure (previously Hilton Bonaventure Montreal)
*[[Hôtel des Gouverneurs]]—Berri UQAM
⚫
*Hôtel Bonaventure—Bonaventure (previously Hilton Bonaventure Montreal)
*W Hotel Montreal at Square Victoria—Square Victoria OACI
*W Hotel Montreal at Square Victoria—Square Victoria OACI
*Hôtel Le Westin Montreal—Square Victoria OACI
*Hôtel Le Westin Montreal—Square Victoria OACI


==Special events==
==Special events==
Every February, [[Art Souterrain]] presents a journey through the central segment of the Underground City during the Montreal Highlights Festival, showing contemporary artistic projects.<ref>[http://www.montrealenlumiere.com/volets/fmis/en_bref_en.aspx Montreal Downtown & Underground event, Montreal Highlights Festival<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
Every February, [[Art Souterrain]] presents a journey through the central segment of the Underground City during the Montreal Highlights Festival, showing contemporary artistic projects.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.montrealenlumiere.com/volets/fmis/en_bref_en.aspx |title=Montreal Downtown & Underground event, Montreal Highlights Festival<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=2008-09-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201091032/http://www.montrealenlumiere.com/volets/fmis/en_bref_en.aspx |archive-date=2008-12-01 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
* [[Underground city]]
* [[Underground city]]
* [[Edmonton Pedway]]
* [[+15]], a similarly extensive skywalk system in Calgary
* [[Plus 15]], a similar skywalk system in Calgary
* [[Toronto PATH]]
* [[PATH (Toronto)]]


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
*http://www.montrealsouterrain.ca
{{Site web qui publie des événements et renferme un important répertoire du Montréal Souterrain. [http://www.montrealsouterrain.ca www.montrealsouterrain.ca]}}


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://montrealundergroundcity.com/ Montreal Underground City] Website dedicated to the underground city of Montreal
* [http://montrealundergroundcity.com/ Montreal Underground City] Website dedicated to the underground city of Montreal
* [http://www.observatoiredelavilleinterieure.ca/documents/ovi_plan.pdf Map of the indoor city] (in [[Portable Document Format|PDF]] format) by the Observatoire de la ville intérieure, Université de Montréal
* [http://www.stm.info/en/info/networks/maps Maps] (in [[Portable Document Format|PDF]] format) including the underground city, provided by the [[Société de transport de Montréal]]
* [http://www.stm.info/en/info/networks/maps Maps] (in [[Portable Document Format|PDF]] format) including the underground city, provided by the [http://www.stm.info/en Société de transport de Montréal]
* [http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/pls/portal/docs/page/arrond_vma_fr/media/documents/vm_carte_reso.pdf Map of the indoor city] (in [[Portable Document Format|PDF]] format), provided by the [[Montreal City Council]]
* [http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/pls/portal/docs/page/arrond_vma_fr/media/documents/vm_carte_reso.pdf Map of the indoor city] (in [[Portable Document Format|PDF]] format), provided by the [http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/ City of Montreal]


{{Montreal landmarks}}
{{Montreal landmarks}}
{{MontrealNeighbourhoods}}
{{MontrealNeighbourhoods}}
{{Malls in Montreal}}
{{Malls in Montreal}}
{{Man-made and man-related Subterranea}}


{{Coord|45.503|N|73.572|W|display=title}}
{{Coord|45.503|N|73.572|W|display=title}}

*The term "underground city" is not used by local Montreal residents, usually one of the shopping malls is mentioned as a reference point.


[[Category:Underground cities|Montreal]]
[[Category:Underground cities|Montreal]]
Line 265: Line 285:
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Montreal]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Montreal]]
[[Category:Downtown Montreal]]
[[Category:Downtown Montreal]]
[[Category:1962 establishments in Quebec]]

Latest revision as of 02:11, 30 November 2024

RÉSO
Map
LocationMontreal, Quebec, Canada; some segments in Westmount
Opening date1962
No. of stores and services+1600
No. of floorsUsually 3 or 4, sometimes 2

RÉSO, commonly referred to as the Underground City (French: La ville souterraine), is the name applied to a series of interconnected office towers, hotels, shopping centres, residential and commercial complexes, convention halls, universities and performing arts venues that form the heart of Montreal's central business district, colloquially referred to as Downtown Montreal. The name refers to the underground connections between the buildings that compose the network, in addition to the network's complete integration with the city's entirely underground rapid transit system, the Montreal Metro. Moreover, the first iteration of the Underground City was developed out of the open pit at the southern entrance to the Mount Royal Tunnel, where Place Ville Marie and Central Station stand today.

The lower floors of the Eaton Centre between the McGill and Peel Metro stations

Though most of the connecting tunnels pass underground, many of the key passageways and principal access points are located at ground level, and there is also one skybridge (between Lucien-L'Allier Metro station and Gare Lucien L'Allier). In this regard, the Underground City is more of an indoor city (ville intérieure) than a truly subterranean city, although there are vast commercial sectors located entirely underground.

The network is particularly useful during Montreal's long winters, during which time well over half a million people are estimated to use it every day. The network is largely climate controlled and well-lit, and is arranged in a U-shape with two principal north–south axes connected by an east–west axis. Combined, there are 32 kilometres (20 mi) of tunnels over 12 square kilometres (4.6 sq mi) of the most densely populated part of Montreal. In total, there are more than 120 exterior access points to the network, not including the sixty or so Metro station entrances located outside the official limits of the RÉSO, some of which have their own smaller tunnel networks. Some of the city's larger institutions, namely McGill University, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Concordia University, Université de Montréal and the Université du Québec à Montréal also have campus tunnel networks separate from the underground city.

Overview

[edit]

In 2004, the downtown network of the underground city was re-branded and given the name RÉSO, which is a homophone of the French word réseau, or network. The "O" at the end of the word is the logo of the Montreal Metro. Schematic maps bearing the RÉSO logo are found throughout the network. The largest and best-known segment is located in the centre of downtown, delimited by the Peel and Place-des-Arts Metro stations on the Green Line and the Lucien-L'Allier and Place-d'Armes stations on the Orange Line.

The underground city is promoted as an important tourist attraction by most Montreal travel guidebooks, and as an urban planning achievement it is impressive.[citation needed] For most Montrealers, however, it tends to be considered more as a large mall complex[citation needed] linking Metro stations—they may not even know they are in it. Many Canadian cities have some kind of tunnel or skywalk system downtown to help people avoid the weather. Most parts of the Montreal underground city are open while the Metro is in operation (5:30 AM to 1:00 AM), though some are closed outside of business hours. Maps of the underground city and the Metro can be obtained free of charge from all Metro stations, and the network of buildings is indicated on most maps of the downtown core.

Nearly 500,000 people use it per day.[citation needed] It is also the largest underground complex in the world.[citation needed] It stretches for 32 kilometers (20 miles) and covers 4 million square meters (one and a half square miles). According to official statistics, its corridors link up with 10 metro stations, 2 bus terminals, 1,200 offices, about 2,000 stores including 2 major department stores, approximately 1,600 housing units, 200 restaurants, 40 banks, movie theatres providing 40 screens and other entertainment venues, 7 major hotels, 4 universities, Place des Arts, a cathedral, the Bell Centre (home of the Montreal Canadiens), and 3 exhibition halls: the Place Bonaventure, the Convention Centre (Palais des Congrès de Montréal) and the Olympic Centre.

History of the central segment

[edit]

The vision for the underground city was originally that of urbanist Vincent Ponte, for whom a commemorative plaque was unveiled in November 2006 at Place Ville Marie.[1] The first link of the underground city arose with the construction of the Place Ville Marie office tower and underground shopping mall, opened in 1962 and built to cover an unsightly pit of railway tracks north of the Central Station. Two tunnels linked it to Central Station and the Queen Elizabeth Hotel.

The advent of the Montreal Metro in 1966, in time for Expo 67, brought tunnels joining Bonaventure station to the Château Champlain hotel, the Place du Canada office tower, Place Bonaventure, Central Station, and Windsor Station, forming the core of the Underground City. Square-Victoria-OACI station connected to the Tour de la Bourse, Montreal's stock exchange building.

Adding to the development of the underground city was the Montreal Urban Community Transit Commission's policy of offering the aerial rights above Metro station entrances for construction through emphyteutic leases, an advantageous way to acquire prime real estate. When the Metro began running in 1966, ten buildings were already connected directly to Metro stations; development would continue until only three free-standing station entrances (Square-Victoria-OACI, St-Laurent and Place-des-Arts) remained in the central segment.

In 1974, the Complexe Desjardins office tower complex was constructed, spurring the construction of a "second downtown" underground city segment between Place-des-Arts and Place-d'Armes station, via Place des Arts, Complexe Desjardins, the Complexe Guy Favreau federal government building, and the Palais des Congrès (convention centre).

Between 1984 and 1992, the underground city expanded, with the construction of three major linked shopping centres in the Peel and McGill Metro station areas: Cours Mont-Royal, Place Montréal-Trust, and the Promenades Cathédrale (built underneath Christ Church Cathedral). McGill station was already linked with The Bay, Eaton's (now the Complexe Les Ailes), Centre Eaton, and two other office/mall complexes. Between 1984 and 1989, the underground city grew from 12 km (7 mi) of passages to almost 22 km (14 mi).

Mega-projects added to the size of the network throughout the 1990s, including Le 1000 De La Gauchetière (the tallest building in Montreal), Le 1250 René-Lévesque, and the Montreal World Trade Centre. Although these buildings have only a secondary commercial sector, they use their connection to the underground city as a selling point for their office space.[citation needed] Also, the construction of a tunnel between Eaton Centre and Place Ville-Marie consolidated the two central halves of the underground city. The construction of the Bell (originally Molson) Centre connected Lucien-L'Allier Metro station to the underground city, as well as replacing Windsor Station with the new Gare Lucien-L'Allier commuter train station.

The tunnel between the Centre CDP Capital and the Palais des Congrès. A display case sponsored by the Canadian Centre for Architecture holds a video artwork about the underground city.

Most recently, in 2003, the complete redevelopment of the Quartier international de Montréal consolidated several segments of the central underground city with continuous pedestrian corridors. The construction of the ICAO headquarters joined Place Bonaventure to Square-Victoria-OACI station, which in turn was joined to the Palais des Congrès and Place-d'Armes station via the new Caisse de dépôt et de placement building and a tunnel under Place Jean-Paul Riopelle. Uniquely, the new tunnel sections in the Quartier International contain educational and artistic displays sponsored by major Montreal museums. As a result of this construction, one can now walk all the way across the centre of downtown, from the UQAM Sherbrooke Pavilion at the corner of Sainte Famille Street and Sherbrooke Street to the Lucien-L'Allier Metro station just south-west of the Bell Centre, without going outside—a span of 1.7 km (1.1 mi) as the crow flies, or approximately 3 kilometres (2 mi) walking distance.

Structural concerns, 2007 closure

[edit]
Wikinews has related news:

On Friday, August 24, 2007, construction crews discovered a seven-meter (23 foot) long fissure in the ceiling of an underground corridor linking the McGill station to The Bay store located under de Maisonneuve Boulevard, between Aylmer Street and Union Avenue.[2] The station, the Underground City shops, and above ground streets and buildings were closed to assess whether there was any risk of collapse of the structure. Service on the Métro Green Line was halted between Berri-UQAM and Lionel-Groulx stations until Sunday evening. According to a spokesperson for the Hudson's Bay Company, city workers may have caused the damage by hitting a nearby pillar.[3]

During the weekend, city workcrews worked non-stop to shore up the sagging slab of concrete, installing more than 1,000 temporary metal supports.

On Monday, August 27, 2007, service was restored to the Green Line, and all streets but the block of de Maisonneuve boulevard between Union and Aylmer were reopened to traffic. The one block that was not open to traffic was open to pedestrians. All buildings reopened, including The Bay. Officials said that it would take months to fix the problem.[4][5][6] While inspecting the site, it was discovered that 2021 Union, the Parkade Montreal building, was in danger of having concrete side panels fall off.[citation needed] City engineers performed emergency repairs. A report later blamed the construction of a bike path for the damage.[7] Street traffic on De Maisonneuve resumed in March 2008.

Central segment

[edit]

The central segment interconnects the following seven Metro stations via indoor walkway. As the Berri-UQAM station, which allows transfers between the Green, Orange and Yellow lines, is two Metro stops from the closest station in this segment, in many cases it is quicker to walk than to take the Metro. The lists of connected facilities which follow are grouped by segment and nearest Metro station.

Bonaventure

[edit]
Halles de la gare, going from Central Station to Place Ville-Marie

Square-Victoria-OACI

[edit]
Square-Victoria-OACI Metro entrance, featuring the Paris Metro style entrance which was restored in 2003
Inside the underground portion of the Centre de commerce mondial de Montréal

Place-d'Armes

[edit]

Place-des-Arts

[edit]
Skylight in Place des Arts corridor towards Metro station

Peel

[edit]

McGill

[edit]
McGill Metro before renovations

Lucien-L'Allier

[edit]

Other downtown segments

[edit]

Berri-UQAM

[edit]

The hub of the Metro network located two Metro stations east of Place-des-Arts at the eastern edge of downtown is the transfer point for changing between the Green, Orange and Yellow lines.


Guy-Concordia segment

Guy-Concordia

[edit]

Located one Metro station west of Peel, this station is at the center of the Sir George Williams campus of Concordia University.


Atwater

[edit]

One Metro station west of Guy-Concordia, this station is at the western edge of downtown and just inside the territory of Westmount.

Champ-de-Mars

[edit]

One metro station away from Place D’Armes, Champ-de-Mars is located right next to the new Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM). It is located near Montreal’s historic buildings and streets in Old Montreal as well as the Old Port.

Other segments

[edit]

Pie-IX

[edit]
  • Olympic Stadium (this connexion is only open during special events)
    • RIO (Régie des installations olympiques)
    • Regroupement Loisirs Québec

Jean-Talon

[edit]

This station is the eastern transfer point between the Orange and Blue lines.

  • Tour Jean-Talon

Université-de-Montréal

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Situated on the Blue line in between Côte-des-Neiges and Édouard-Montpetit stations, this station serves the main campus of the university on the northwest slope of Mount-Royal. Although part of the campus has its own private network of underground tunnels including one opening next to the station, no part of the campus is directly connected to the Metro.

Édouard-Montpetit

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Situated on the blue line between Université-de-Montréal and Outremont stations, this station serves many Université de Montréal buildings and will be connected to the future Réseau express métropolitain.

Vendôme

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Montmorency (off-island)

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As the terminus of the Orange Line , this station is a major hub for bus transportation in Laval and the north shore.

Longueuil–Université-de-Sherbrooke (off island)

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As the terminus of the Yellow Line , this station is a major hub for bus transportation on the south shore.

Hotels

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Special events

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Every February, Art Souterrain presents a journey through the central segment of the Underground City during the Montreal Highlights Festival, showing contemporary artistic projects.[8]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Un hommage à l'initiateur du Montréal souterrain". Médias Transcontinental S.E.N.C. 2006-11-19. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-08-07.
  2. ^ "City core in chaos". Archived from the original on 2007-08-27. Retrieved 2007-08-25.
  3. ^ Sara Champagne, Bruno Bisson et Martin Croteau : Le centre-ville paralysé | Actualités | Cyberpresse
  4. ^ "Montreal streets, subway line reopen after tunnel repairs". CBC News. 2007-08-27.
  5. ^ CTV.ca | Subway, stores reopen in Mtl. after tunnel scare Archived 2007-08-30 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ "De Maisonneuve fix to take months". Archived from the original on 2007-12-05. Retrieved 2007-08-27.
  7. ^ Magder, Jason (2008-02-27). "Bay study blames de Maisonneuve bike path for crack in underground". Montreal Gazette. Canwest. Archived from the original on 2008-04-03. Retrieved 2008-04-16.
  8. ^ "Montreal Downtown & Underground event, Montreal Highlights Festival". Archived from the original on 2008-12-01. Retrieved 2008-09-08.
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45°30′11″N 73°34′19″W / 45.503°N 73.572°W / 45.503; -73.572

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