Transforming a landmark building into an engaging shopping destination was a challenge for GHA Shoppingscapes, which designed Complexe Les Ailes in Montreal. Contractors had to remove tons of concrete and support columns from the five-story structure to build a fresh, new shopping center in the form of an oval arcade, bordered by amber-colored glass railings. Many of the judges appreciated the dramatic changes of the renovation and the use of a color as a clever way to “break up the vertical plane without eliminating sightings.” Christian Davies, vice president and creative director of FRCH Design, says the design “feels like the grand Parisian boutiques.”
Project Name: Complexe Les Ailes
Location: Montreal, Canada
Square Footage: 412,238
Architect: GHA Shoppingscapes, Montreal
Project Architect: Lemay & Associés
Client: Ivanhoé Cambridge
Construction Cost: $200 million
Credits
General Contractor: Hervé Pomerleau Inc. Longueuil
Mechanical and Electrical Engineers: Bouthillette Parizeau et Associés Inc.
Retail Consultants: GHA Shoppingscapes
Lighting Consultant: Éclairage Public
Seasonal Decór: Abricotine Créations Chambly
Custom Carpets: TapitecVille Saint-Laurent