Montreal’s Place Versailles shopping center is about to get a facelift. The iconic property, once a retail hub on Sherbrooke Street East, is set to be at the center of a $2.2 billion redevelopment that will add over 5,805 housing units, including 979 social housing units, and a fresh new urban design. The Place Versailles project marks one of the city’s largest mixed-use redevelopments in recent history, shifting the focus from big-box retail toward housing and pedestrian-friendly streets.
Housing, retail, and office space take center stage in Place Versailles
Developer Groupe Mach plans to demolish a large portion of the mall, keeping only 200,000 square feet of retail while integrating shops and services into the ground floors of residential towers. The new neighborhood will include more than 1.5 million square feet of housing in the form of rental apartments and affordable units. Mach says at least 15 percent will be set aside for affordable housing helping to address Montreal’s growing housing crisis.
Place Versailles project rendering
Alongside the residential build, the site will see 500,000 square feet of office space, a public plaza, a new elementary school, a daycare, and green spaces. The plan also calls for a redesigned bus terminal and transit connections to encourage active transportation. Groupe Mach’s goal is to make Place Versailles a walkable neighborhood where residents can live, work, and access services within a few blocks.
By reusing land previously locked into surface parking and low-density commercial uses, the project reduces urban sprawl and car dependency. Plans also include landscaped roofs, green corridors, and buildings designed to meet energy efficiency standards, though final certifications have yet to be confirmed.
This massive overhaul is seen as a way to reimagine aging shopping malls into thriving residential and commercial hubs. According to the city, the project is expected to create over 5,000 jobs during construction and add much-needed housing units in a neighborhood that has seen minimal residential growth in decades.
Demolition of parts of the mall are expected to begin in 2026, with phase one units available by 2028. Groupe Mach hopes the project will inject new life into the area, attracting young families and retirees looking for urban living options with local amenities.
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