SHERIDAN, WYOMING – July 2, 2025 – Sid Lee Architecture has unveiled its redesigned headquarters in Montreal’s Place Ville Marie, a project that embodies a bold vision for integrating workplace design with urban vitality. The transformation, known as the “Biosquare,” aims to reinvigorate Montreal’s downtown core while redefining how creative professionals engage with their environment.
A Strategic Hub for Creative Collaboration
Occupying three former Royal Bank of Canada quadrants within Place Ville Marie, Sid Lee Architecture’s new offices establish a luminous, open workspace designed to inspire innovation and connection. “We have envisioned the space as an extension of the city and its energy,” stated Jean Pelland, Architect and Principal Partner at Sid Lee Architecture. “The campus is a place where artists can come together, collaborate, and create.”
The reimagined headquarters aligns with broader efforts to reposition Montreal’s historic business district as a vibrant, multifunctional destination. By opening the space to the city and creating a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor environments, Sid Lee Architecture contributes strategically to the urban revitalization goals of the Projet Nouveau Centre initiative.
A Microcosm of Urban Life
The design concept of the Biosquare is anchored in two core principles: enhancing natural light and fostering openness. The spatial layout prioritizes the free flow of people and ideas, transforming the office into an extension of the surrounding urban landscape. A distinctive grid system underpins the entire floor plan, enabling an adaptive open zone where diverse activities coexist and collaboration thrives.
Key features include:
- An architectural grid that creates continuity across spaces, eliminating silos.
- Central agoras within each quadrant offering inviting, plant-accented communal areas.
- Smaller, private spaces radiating from shared hubs, balancing openness with focused work zones.
This innovative approach creates what the architects describe as a “collective microcosm,” where professions intersect and boundaries blur, echoing the dynamic complexity of the city itself.
Biophilic Design Meets Architectural Heritage
In keeping with contemporary biophilic design trends, the renovation emphasizes nature-inspired elements to enhance occupant well-being. The grid serves as a flexible framework for integrating new features, allowing creative configurations of walls, blocks, and communal areas. According to Sid Lee Architecture, this architectural metaphor reinforces the interconnectedness of all components within the office ecosystem.
Restoration efforts also celebrated the original architecture of Place Ville Marie. Sid Lee Architecture exposed travertine floors and removed suspended ceilings to reveal the structure’s airy volume, highlighting the linear ceiling grid that draws the eye upward. Philippe Meunier, Co-Founder of Sid Lee, emphasized, “With the Biosquare, Sid Lee brings its entrepreneurial spirit into the heart of Montreal, creating an accessible center of collaboration for the city’s creative and business communities to generate new ideas.”
A Landmark Project Anchored in Montreal’s Creative Economy
Located at 12102 – 1 Place Ville Marie, Montreal, Quebec, the 7,300-square-meter, seven-story headquarters stands as a testament to Sid Lee Architecture’s commitment to redefining modern workspaces in historic urban settings. The project also exemplifies the firm’s ongoing partnerships with major stakeholders such as Ivanhoé Cambridge, contributing to transformative initiatives like the Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth Hotel renovation and the C2 Space rooftop venue.
Sid Lee Architecture, founded in 2009 and part of the Kyu collective since 2015, continues to deliver forward-thinking projects that merge cultural heritage with contemporary design. The headquarters’ completion strengthens its role as a catalyst for revitalizing Montreal’s downtown, affirming its expertise in adaptive reuse and strategic urban planning.
Learn more at Sid Lee Architecture’s website.