Last April 25, the Montreal Port Authority (MPA) officially unveiled its plans for the restoration of Alexandra Pier and the Iberville International Passenger Terminal. The project is designed by the firm Provencher_Roy, which once again distinguishes itself by its ability to implement, in the Montréal area, projects that constitute a focus for further development. At a time when the creation of public spaces is increasingly important, the firm has worked closely with the MPA to not only deliver a totally renovated maritime terminal that has been upgraded to meet the current operational needs of cruise lines, of which a growing number are choosing Montréal as a tourist destination, but also to better integrate the pier and the maritime terminal into the urban fabric of Old Montréal and to satisfy citizens’ wishes for greater access to the waterfront. “This is a structuring project for the tourism industry, as well as for residents and visitors of Old Montréal, who will benefit from the revitalization of the Alexandra Pier facilities,” says Claude Provencher, architect and senior partner

Background

Alexandra Pier’s history spans over a century. In the early 20^th century, the site integrated several port activities, including the reception of immigrants and travellers and the transshipment of cargo, as well as facilities that made Montréal the world’s largest cereal port. Measuring 305 metres long by 91 metres wide, the pier originally housed four huge, two-storey hangars.

In 1967, the Iberville terminal was used exclusively for receiving cruise passengers and circulation on the site was limited to taxis, buses and cars, a situation exacerbated when the hangars were converted into parking lots. It was not particularly suited to pedestrian circulation.

Today, despite significant investments for their maintenance over the past 10 years, these infrastructures, located in the heart of Old Montréal, show advanced signs of aging and operational obsolescence that are compromising their ability to keep providing the services expected of them.

Maritime terminal

The maritime terminal, completely redesigned, will be moved to the entrance of Alexandra Pier, bringing passengers closer to the Old Port and its shops. Furthermore, the terminal will now welcome passengers at ground level in order to facilitate embarking and disembarking and the processing of luggage. Also, continuous-loop lanes for vehicles will improve traffic flow and simplify access to the port facilities and parking spaces. A reserved pedestrian pathway will be integrated, significantly improving access to the site as well.    

Public promenade

A major new development: Montrealers will have access to a landscaped esplanade located on the roof of the maritime terminal. This pedestrian path will represent a sizeable addition to the Old Port’s network of public spaces and help forge stronger ties between the Saint Lawrence River, the terminal and the urban fabric.

“From the project’s outset, our aim was to extend the Old Port’s linear park onto the pier. We wanted to create a space that emphasizes the historical richness of the site while also providing a park, a place to relax, and a space that people could make their own,” adds Sonia Gagné, architect and partner at Provencher_Roy.

Signature tower

One of the project’s more innovative features is the addition of a tower whose primary function will be to convey and embody Alexandra Pier’s maritime vocation. Like a lighthouse, it will constitute the first means by which ships and passengers will discern the port; for Montrealers, it will signal the location of the river. Thanks to several elevated viewing platforms, the tower will offer a unique vantage point for observing the city and river, and enable visitors to discover the city upon arrival in the port. It will also serve as a transitional element connecting the raised esplanade, the maritime terminal, and the new park at the tip of Alexandra Pier. The architectural vocabulary developed for the tower and its structure evokes the port’s rich industrial heritage.

“After having been one of the leading forces in the founding of Montréal, the Port of Montreal proudly continues this contribution with Provencher_Roy by providing the city modern and inviting maritime facilities for cruise passengers and residents. These improved facilities will meet client needs and give Montrealers a renewed access to our majestic Saint Lawrence River to mark Montréal’s 375^th anniversary in 2017,” concludes MPA President and CEO Sylvie Vachon.  

About Provencher_Roy

Provencher_Roy, a leader in urban architecture in Canada, is a multidisciplinary firm providing services in architecture, urban design, urban planning, interior design, industrial design and sustainable development. It employs over 200 professionals involved in all aspects of the built environment, in Canada and abroad. The firm’s work has been recognized with more than 80 architectural awards and distinctions in Quebec, the rest of Canada, and abroad. In 2015, Provencher_Roy was the recipient of the Architectural Firm award handed out by the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC).

About the Port of Montreal

Operated by the Montreal Port Authority (MPA), the Port of Montreal is a major diversified transshipment centre that handles all types of goods: containerized and non-containerized cargo, liquid bulk and dry bulk. It is a leading container port served by the largest container shipping lines in the world. In 2015, the Port of Montreal handled a total of 32 million tonnes of goods, and welcomed 91,000 passengers and crew members at its cruise terminal. The Port of Montreal has its own rail network directly dockside, connected to the two national rail networks and a highway system. Port activity supports 16,000 jobs and generates $2.1 billion in economic spin-offs annually.

           
Technical data sheet

Alexandra Pier, in Montréal’s Old Port 

CLIENT: Montreal Port Authority 

YEAR: 2013 to date 

STATUS: Under construction 

PROGRAM: Maritime terminal, shops, park 

AREA: 25,000 m² 

DISCIPLINES: Architecture, Urban Design, Industrial Design, Interior Design, Sustainable Development 

PARTNERS IN CHARGE: Claude Provencher, Sonia Gagné

LANDSCAPING: NIP PAYSAGE

STRUCTURAL AND CIVIL ENGINEERING: NCK

MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING: PAGEAU MOREL

CIVIL ENGINEERING: GÉNIPUR

MARINE INFRASTRUCTURE: WSP GROUP