In March, Montreal’s public transport agency STM launched a call for projects to give a second life to first-generation subway cars.
Award-winning architecture and design firm Ædifica proposed to integrate a hundred MR-63 cars into a structure that celebrates the history of the iconic Métro.
“We came up with the idea for the Montreal MÉTRO complex about a year ago, in preparation for Montreal 375th birthday,” says Alain Bergeron, Ædifica’s vice-president of architecture. “The idea was to use abandoned metro cars from Montreal’s transit network as a key component for a cutting-edge complex – an emblematic building with the potential to resonate across the globe.”
Quebec’s association of commercial property owners and managers, BOMA QUÉBEC, presented the plans for MÉTRO at its 6th biennial architecture exhibition, MONTRÉAL DU FUTUR, at Complexe Desjardins last month. The Ædifica kiosk invited visitors to view plans for MÉTRO in 3-D using VR goggles.
The project has already attracted the attention of partners and investors. The search for appropriate land to build the project on is ongoing.