Ivanhoé Cambridge Announces Innovative Place Ville Marie Food Hall

Date:

Share post:

Montreal-based landlord Ivanhoé Cambridge has announced that it will be opening a new ‘gourmet biergarten’ at its Place Ville Marie property in downtown Montreal. Scheduled to open in late 2019, it will be the second such large-format culinary destination in an Ivanhoé Cambridge property in the core of the city. 

The 35,000 square foot space will be located under a glass pavilion which will be built as part of the updated Place Ville Marie Esplanade, and will be named Le Cathcart Restaurants et Biergarten, according to Ivanhoé Cambridge. It will be able to accommodate more than 1,000 patrons at a time and will have 15 unique restaurant concepts such as resto-bars, bistros and cafés, and will include three restaurants that will have table service. 

Several well-known Montreal chefs will be part of the mix, including Antonio Park. Ivanhoé Cambridge notes that the destination will fulfill “a social and cultural vocation” which will also feature a multifunctional space that can host one-of-a-kind events. 

As per the ‘biergarten’ name, the premisses will be licensed with a wide variety of wine and cocktails, as well as an expansive selection of local beers. All will be chosen by renowned mixologists and sommeliers. As a nod to the biergarten concept, a lively, bright and spacious interior garden-like environment will welcome guests in a “lively urban square in the heart of a busy district with festive terraces,” that will “echo Montreal’s lively street vibe, acting as a true indoor extension of the city.” 

LE CATHCART RESTAURANTS ET BIERGARTEN SEEN FROM STREET LEVEL. RENDERING: SID LEE ARCHITECTURE/SUPPLIED

Le Cathcart Restaurants et Biergarten will be open seven days a week year-round and will cater to a wide variety of visitors that frequent the busy Place Ville Marie complex including locals working and visiting the area, tourists, and those seeking out urban activities. “Le Cathcart Restaurants et Biergarten will quickly become a destination of choice for business lunches, happy hours and festive evenings,” said the landlord. 

“We’re delighted to be working with Quebec entrepreneurs to offer a whole new gastronomic experience at Place Ville Marie,” added Bernard Poliquin, Senior Vice President, Office, Quebec, at Ivanhoé Cambridge. “Le Cathcart Restaurants et Biergarten will become a place of choice for business networking in downtown Montreal.”

FAST FOOD AND CASUAL SECTION OF LE CATHCART. RENDERING: SID LEE ARCHITECTURE/SUPPLIED
FAST FOOD AND CASUAL SECTION OF LE CATHCART. RENDERING: SID LEE ARCHITECTURE/SUPPLIED

The food hall will be located in a former food court, and is part of a $200-million revitalization of the massive Place Ville Marie complex which includes a 190,000 square foot retail concourse at the base of four massive office towers above encompassing nearly 2.4-million square feet, housing about 10,000 workers. The retail component sees about 17.2-million annual visitors and houses some significant retail tenants including Browns Shoes, L’Occitane en Provence, Jean-Paul Fortin, Murale and The Keg restaurant. Years ago it housed Holt Renfrew as a tenant when the luxury retailer operated a network of smaller stores. 

Le Cathcart Restaurants et Biergarten was created in partnership with Sid Lee Architecture and A5 Hospitality, and executed by Sid Lee Architecture and Menkes Shooner Dagenais LeTourneux Architects

“We want to celebrate Place Ville Marie’s central location by creating a unique point of access to the underground city,” said Jean Pelland, Architect and Senior Partner at Sid Lee Architecture. “The glass pavilion is an ideal setting for the interior garden, a space bathed in natural light and filled with greenery, where gourmet and festive gatherings will take place.”

Ivanhoé Cambridge is investing more than $1-billion in downtown Montreal in its various properties, dubbed ‘Projet Nouveau Centre’ which is helping revitalize the core of Canada’s second-largest city. In the spring of this year, as well, Ivanhoé Cambridge announced that as part of the overhaul of its Montreal Eaton Centre property, the landlord partnered with Time Out to open a Time Out Market food concept, which is also scheduled to open in late 2019. The 36,000 square foot Time Out Market Montreal will include a mix of 16 food offerings, two bars, a demonstration kitchen, a cooking academy, a retail shop and a ‘cultural stage’, and will anchor the $200 million redevelopment at Centre Eaton de Montreal, which will involve joining the existing Montreal Eaton Centre property with the adjacent Complexe Les Ailes. More than 30-million people will pass through the combined centre in what will be Canada’s second-busiest centre in terms of annual footfall (surpassed only by CF Toronto Eaton Centre).

Food halls and food markets are being used to drive foot traffic to retail properties, and several landlords in Canada have announced large-format culinary concepts. On Friday of this week, the 40,000 square foot ‘Market & Co.’ food market concept will open at Oxford Properties’ Upper Canada Mall in Newmarket, just north of Toronto. When open, a demonstration kitchen as well as 18 best-in-class local merchants and first-to-market eateries will enhance the overall shopping centre experience. 

Local vendors and restaurants are the primary tenants. Market & Co. is the third food market announcement that Oxford Properties has made over the past several months. In March, it announced that Les Galeries de la Capitale in Quebec City would be adding an innovative food marketplace that will also feature the second location for RICARDO Boutique + Café. As well, Oxford Properties announced in June that it would be creating a ‘Food District’ at its massive Square One property in Mississauga.

Landlord QuadReal, as well, has announced that it will be opening large-format food concepts at its Oakridge Centre property in Vancouver, as well as at ‘The Post’ in downtown Vancouver which replaces a former Canada Post distribution centre. 

Food and beverage is being used by landlords to drive traffic to properties and more large-format food concepts are said to be in the works. Consumers are increasingly seeking-out ‘experiences’ and a diverse food market, with the right tenants (including a healthy dose of ‘Instagramable moments’) will keep customers coming back. And that’s key as well — we as humans tend to dine more than we shop for most other items, and the theory is that repeat visits to a food destination will also translate into increased foot traffic from visitors that might shop at other retail in the same area as well. 

  1. Not official yet but rumors making the rounds that the Sun Life Building in downtown Ottawa will have a food hall set to open this fall.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

More From Retail Insider

Rising Theft in North American Retail: Self-Checkouts Partly to Blame as Retailers Adjust Amid Financial Pressures [Interview]

The surge in theft and shoplifting is prompting retailers to implement security measures and reconsider the use of self-checkout systems, impacting both their bottom lines and the shopping experience for customers.

TNT – THE NEW TREND Unveils Grand Plans for Flagship Store in Yorkville Village in Toronto [Exclusive Interview]

Arie Assaraf, founder of TNT, said that the flagship's opening coincide's with the retailer's 30th-anniversary. Yorkville Village's landlord thinks TNT is the best retailer of its kind in the country.

From Workers’ Rights to Automation: How a $20 Minimum Wage is Reshaping Fast Food [Op-Ed]

Sylvain Charlebois discusses California's decision to raise the minimum wage for fast-food workers to $20 per hour, which has ignited a debate about the potential consequences including increased automation and the overall transformation of the fast-food industry.

Consumer Loyalty Trends in Canada: The Crucial Role of Personalization in a Changing Economy [Video Interview]

A critical statistic reveals that 33% of consumers abandon brands that lack personalization, emphasizing the growing importance of tailoring experiences and offers to meet individual customer expectations in today's competitive market.

Ralph Lauren Expands in Canada with 1st Full-Price Luxury Store at Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre [Photos]

The US-based brand has opened a concept store featuring a mix of luxury and Polo products, and is expected to open more in Canada after launching an e-commerce site next month. 

Bayshore Shopping Centre in Ottawa Dominating Market and Adding Tenants Amid Sales Growth [Interview]

The landlord completed 77 leasing transactions totalling over 431,000 square feet in the past year, with more retailers and a redevelopment in the works.

Elevating Canadian Retail: How JLL’s Expertise Reshapes Property Management [Interviews]

Landlords are increasingly turning to JLL for pioneering property management solutions that prioritize both enhanced customer experiences and sustainability.

Mandy’s to Open Gourmet Salad Restaurant in Toronto’s Yorkville as Chain Expands [Exclusive Interview/Renderings]

The popular Montreal-based foodservice concept is growing its presence in Toronto with multiple locations, including one behind a soon-to-open Saint Laurent flagship store.

Gen Z’s Digital Upbringing Meets a Passion for Tangible Retail and Authentic Brands [Interview]

A new report on Gen Z, born between 1997 and 2012, provides insight into consumer behaviours as well as a look into the upcoming Generation Alpha.

Interview with Giant Tiger’s New CEO Gino DiGioacchino on the Future of the Iconic Canadian Retailer [Interview]

DiGioacchino speaks to Retail Insider after being appointed as the new President and CEO of Giant Tiger, and discusses the future of the business and importance of maintaining strong connections with local communities.

Purdys Chocolatier Expands Footprint with Pop-Up Stores [Interview]

The strategy involves providing customers with a taste of Purdys' renowned chocolates in areas where the brand hasn't had a presence before.

Colliers Report Emphasizes the Retail Advantage of Bridging the Digital-Physical Divide [Interview]

A recent report by Colliers Real Estate Management Services reveals that retailers who effectively blend their online and physical store operations are 35% more likely to achieve profitability, with the study emphasizes the importance of omnichannel strategies, convenience, property maintenance, and retailer-driven ESG initiatives.

Preview of ICSC@CANADA Conference 2023: Retail, Technology, and Networking Opportunities in Toronto [Interview]

Craig and Kyle Tomlin, Director of Events in Canada for ICSC, discuss the highly anticipated ICSC@CANADA 2023 conference, set to take place from October 2nd to 4th at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre North Hall in downtown Toronto.

Canadian Grocers Take a Page from Carrefour’s Playbook to Tackle ‘Shrinkflation [Op-Ed]

French supermarket chain Carrefour has labeled products impacted by reduced size, and similar measures may be adopted in Canada to enhance transparency in food pricing, says Sylvain Charlebois.

Jeweller Mejuri Debuts Personalized App and Innovative Membership Program; Plans Expansion with 5 New Stores [Co-Founder Interview]

The popular brand's personalized mobile app and membership program aim to enhance customer engagement and personalization, as Mejuri enters major markets with stores.

Fast-Casual Restaurant Concept MightyBird Opening 1st Location in Toronto in a Partnership [Interviews]

The new concept at Union Station will be the first of many in a partnership between Eat Up Canada and Open Concept Hospitality.

KIT + ACE Launches Store Expansion in Canada Under New Ownership [Interview]

The Vancouver-based retailer will open two locations this fall in Toronto and Calgary, with plans for a substantial expansion into 2024 says CEO David Lui.

Casual Steakhouse Chain MR MIKES Expanding Further in Canada [Interview]

With plans for continued expansion into Western Canada and Ontario, the restaurant chain is evolving its concept and targeting smaller markets to establish itself as a hub for local communities.

Canadian Retail Sales: A Slight Recovery Amidst Economic Challenges [J.C. Williams Group Analysis]

The analysis explores the noteworthy trends in the health and wellness sector, the resilience of certain retail categories, and the impending holiday season's strategic considerations for retailers.

Bloor Street Retail Transformation: Luxury Brands, Renovations, and New Openings in Toronto [Podcast]

Craig and Lee take a deep dive into the dynamic changes occurring on Toronto's Bloor Street West, noting the street's resurgence as a thriving hub for luxury shopping in the city.

RECENT RETAIL INSIDER VIDEOS

Advertisment

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Subscribe

* indicates required

RECENT articles

Rising Theft in North American Retail: Self-Checkouts Partly to Blame as Retailers Adjust Amid Financial Pressures [Interview]

The surge in theft and shoplifting is prompting retailers to implement security measures and reconsider the use of self-checkout systems, impacting both their bottom lines and the shopping experience for customers.

TNT – THE NEW TREND Unveils Grand Plans for Flagship Store in Yorkville Village in Toronto [Exclusive Interview]

Arie Assaraf, founder of TNT, said that the flagship's opening coincide's with the retailer's 30th-anniversary. Yorkville Village's landlord thinks TNT is the best retailer of its kind in the country.

From Workers’ Rights to Automation: How a $20 Minimum Wage is Reshaping Fast Food [Op-Ed]

Sylvain Charlebois discusses California's decision to raise the minimum wage for fast-food workers to $20 per hour, which has ignited a debate about the potential consequences including increased automation and the overall transformation of the fast-food industry.

Consumer Loyalty Trends in Canada: The Crucial Role of Personalization in a Changing Economy [Video Interview]

A critical statistic reveals that 33% of consumers abandon brands that lack personalization, emphasizing the growing importance of tailoring experiences and offers to meet individual customer expectations in today's competitive market.

Ralph Lauren Expands in Canada with 1st Full-Price Luxury Store at Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre [Photos]

The US-based brand has opened a concept store featuring a mix of luxury and Polo products, and is expected to open more in Canada after launching an e-commerce site next month. 

Bayshore Shopping Centre in Ottawa Dominating Market and Adding Tenants Amid Sales Growth [Interview]

The landlord completed 77 leasing transactions totalling over 431,000 square feet in the past year, with more retailers and a redevelopment in the works.

Elevating Canadian Retail: How JLL’s Expertise Reshapes Property Management [Interviews]

Landlords are increasingly turning to JLL for pioneering property management solutions that prioritize both enhanced customer experiences and sustainability.

Mandy’s to Open Gourmet Salad Restaurant in Toronto’s Yorkville as Chain Expands [Exclusive Interview/Renderings]

The popular Montreal-based foodservice concept is growing its presence in Toronto with multiple locations, including one behind a soon-to-open Saint Laurent flagship store.

Gen Z’s Digital Upbringing Meets a Passion for Tangible Retail and Authentic Brands [Interview]

A new report on Gen Z, born between 1997 and 2012, provides insight into consumer behaviours as well as a look into the upcoming Generation Alpha.

Interview with Giant Tiger’s New CEO Gino DiGioacchino on the Future of the Iconic Canadian Retailer [Interview]

DiGioacchino speaks to Retail Insider after being appointed as the new President and CEO of Giant Tiger, and discusses the future of the business and importance of maintaining strong connections with local communities.

Purdys Chocolatier Expands Footprint with Pop-Up Stores [Interview]

The strategy involves providing customers with a taste of Purdys' renowned chocolates in areas where the brand hasn't had a presence before.

Colliers Report Emphasizes the Retail Advantage of Bridging the Digital-Physical Divide [Interview]

A recent report by Colliers Real Estate Management Services reveals that retailers who effectively blend their online and physical store operations are 35% more likely to achieve profitability, with the study emphasizes the importance of omnichannel strategies, convenience, property maintenance, and retailer-driven ESG initiatives.

Preview of ICSC@CANADA Conference 2023: Retail, Technology, and Networking Opportunities in Toronto [Interview]

Craig and Kyle Tomlin, Director of Events in Canada for ICSC, discuss the highly anticipated ICSC@CANADA 2023 conference, set to take place from October 2nd to 4th at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre North Hall in downtown Toronto.

Canadian Grocers Take a Page from Carrefour’s Playbook to Tackle ‘Shrinkflation [Op-Ed]

French supermarket chain Carrefour has labeled products impacted by reduced size, and similar measures may be adopted in Canada to enhance transparency in food pricing, says Sylvain Charlebois.

Jeweller Mejuri Debuts Personalized App and Innovative Membership Program; Plans Expansion with 5 New Stores [Co-Founder Interview]

The popular brand's personalized mobile app and membership program aim to enhance customer engagement and personalization, as Mejuri enters major markets with stores.

Fast-Casual Restaurant Concept MightyBird Opening 1st Location in Toronto in a Partnership [Interviews]

The new concept at Union Station will be the first of many in a partnership between Eat Up Canada and Open Concept Hospitality.

KIT + ACE Launches Store Expansion in Canada Under New Ownership [Interview]

The Vancouver-based retailer will open two locations this fall in Toronto and Calgary, with plans for a substantial expansion into 2024 says CEO David Lui.

Casual Steakhouse Chain MR MIKES Expanding Further in Canada [Interview]

With plans for continued expansion into Western Canada and Ontario, the restaurant chain is evolving its concept and targeting smaller markets to establish itself as a hub for local communities.

Canadian Retail Sales: A Slight Recovery Amidst Economic Challenges [J.C. Williams Group Analysis]

The analysis explores the noteworthy trends in the health and wellness sector, the resilience of certain retail categories, and the impending holiday season's strategic considerations for retailers.

Bloor Street Retail Transformation: Luxury Brands, Renovations, and New Openings in Toronto [Podcast]

Craig and Lee take a deep dive into the dynamic changes occurring on Toronto's Bloor Street West, noting the street's resurgence as a thriving hub for luxury shopping in the city.