Among the first buildings in Quebec to adopt an exterior concrete cladding system, the building is distinguished by the power of its massing and the refined rhythm of its ribbed concrete envelope. Replacing its 600 prefabricated concrete panels will ensure the building’s longevity and energy efficiency, while restoring its original whiteness.
The Theater Buildings is home to the Théâtre Maisonneuve, the Théâtre Jean-Duceppe, and Salle Claude-Léveillée. Beyond the exterior restoration work, the project also addresses the interior spaces, with the goal of strengthening the building’s connection to the public realm and to bring transparency to an otherwise opaque building.
At ground level, a glazed frontage will run along Sainte-Catherine Street, behind a concrete screen that echoes the texture of the building envelope. In a move toward simplification, the main entrance will be redesigned to restore the visual axis toward the Esplanade and Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier. Salle Claude-Léveillée will be reconfigured to create space along the front facade for a new café and bar. The interior renovation will also bring renewed emphasis to the existing noble materials, including terracotta, architectural concrete, and bronze finishes.
The intervention will restore the building’s essential characteristics and renew its relationship with the public realm, while preserving its heritage value. The work will be carried out without interrupting the performance season.
