Following a public hearing last Friday on Montreal’s 2025 operating budget, the city announced plans to sell the historic Empress Theatre, which has remained closed since a devastating fire.
Originally built in 1927, the theatre has a rich history, having served as a venue for burlesque performances, dinner theatre, and eventually a cinema.
After the fire, Montreal purchased the building from Standard Life Insurance in 1999. In 2020, the C.D.N.–N.D.G. borough initiated a public consultation process to explore ideas for its revival.
While the future use of the site is still under consideration, Simon Charron, a spokesperson for the office of Mayor Valérie Plante, confirmed that at least 20% of the development will include non-market housing.