Place Versailles

Opened in 1963, Place Versailles wasn’t just another shopping mall. It was a groundbreaking moment for Montreal, the city’s very first enclosed shopping centre. Imagine stepping back in time to that era, a time of big dreams and even bigger hair. Place Versailles, with its initial 30 stores, including anchors like Steinberg, Miracle Mart, and Greenberg, was the place to be. It even boasted the Cinema Versailles, a twin-theatre marvel in the parking lot, showcasing both English and French films. The mall occupied a whopping 350,000 square feet, a small fraction of its vast two-million-square-foot property. Today, the remnants of this original section can still be found in the corridors near Canadian Tire and Maxi. Place Versailles continued to evolve, welcoming Pascal’s, a massive 91,000-square-foot hardware store in 1969, one of the largest of its kind at the time. The iconic Hudson’s Bay Company joined the scene in 1973, adding a touch of elegance with its 134,500-square-foot department store. Through the years, Place Versailles witnessed the rise and fall of retail giants. Miracle Mart transformed into M, only to eventually close its doors. Pascal’s met a similar fate, succumbing to bankruptcy in 1991. Steinberg’s made way for Maxi. Zellers held its ground for years, before being briefly replaced by Target, and ultimately making way for the return of Canadian Tire. Even the venerable Hudson’s Bay Company bid farewell to Place Versailles in 2003, its space now occupied by a mix of retailers including Winners/Homesense and Dollarama. But Place Versailles isn’t just about shopping. In 2010, the mall welcomed La Cage aux Sports, now La Cage – Brasserie sportive, its 50th location. This popular sports bar even has its own external elevator, whisking patrons from the parking lot directly to the second floor. Picture yourself here in 2015, cheering on Canada during the FIFA Women’s World Cup, as Fox Sports broadcasts live from this very La Cage, showcasing its popularity among American soccer fans. Place Versailles has even faced its share of controversy. In 2017, the mall’s decision to have Santa arrive by helicopter on Remembrance Day sparked outrage among veterans, a scheduling conflict they couldn’t resolve due to logistical issues. Now, Place Versailles stands at a crossroads. Plans for a massive $2.2 billion redevelopment project are on the table. The proposal includes demolishing a large portion of the mall to make way for thousands of housing units, a school, and a hotel. While some worry this signals the end of an era, Place Versailles assures us it’s a time of “renewal” and “innovation”. Only time will tell what the future holds for this iconic Montreal landmark.