Discipline : Architecture
Categories :
Commercial Building / Hotel & Resort
: Gold certification
Categories :
Other categories in architecture / Facade
: Gold certification
Hôtel Lambert is a remarkable example of heritage redevelopment in the heart of Old Montreal. It brings together two historic buildings: 53 rue De Brésoles, designed in 1874 by architect Victor Bourgeau, and 22-26 rue Notre-Dame Ouest, built in the 1770s.
Both buildings were abandoned for several decades before being expropriated by the Ville de Montréal in 2008. In 2011, the collapse of a beam led to the demolition of the rue Notre-Dame building, leaving only its weakened façade. The City put the property up for sale in 2016, and rehabilitation work began in 2019.
The project embodies a rigorous approach to heritage rehabilitation. Every intervention has been designed to preserve the authenticity of the building while meeting contemporary requirements. The original wooden structure at 53 rue De Brésoles was preserved and used as formwork for concrete elements, reconciling fire safety and conservation. The cast-iron facade on Notre-Dame Street, a rarity in Montreal, was carefully restored, as was the 40-metre-long party wall, consolidated to meet seismic standards.
The project also restored the inner courtyard, which had been lost since 1909. This central opening favors natural lighting, passive ventilation and the historical interpretation of the site. Contemporary materials - glass, anodized aluminum - were chosen to blend discreetly into the overall design, minimizing visual impact while enhancing the old features.
Hôtel Lambert takes its name from the Alfred Lambert Ltée shoe factory, which occupied the premises from 1914 to 1944. The project comprises 47 apartments in a setting inspired by European hotels particuliers. The vestibule evokes the concierge's lodge, while the lower levels are reminiscent of the former stables, accessible through carriage doors, or portes cochères. Hotel rooms and rooftop terraces offer views of Old Montreal, the Old Port and the river. Attention to light, acoustics and the quality of materials creates a refined, immersive guest experience.
By reconciling heritage and modernity, Hôtel Lambert transforms an urban scar into a living, elegant and sustainable place. It breathes new life into an important part of Montreal's history, while embracing a vision for the future that respects the environment and the urban fabric.
