Did you just move to the neighbourhood? Are you curious to discover the best spots in the area?
The Sainte-Marie neighbourhood is full of hip restaurants and bars, cool spaces to relax, and great places to shop.
Discover your new favourite places with our list of the neighbourhood’s best spots curated by the Esplanade Cartier team.
Outdoor and Indoor Activities
Les affutés
More than a space, Les affutés (the “well honed”) is a community open to anyone who wants to work with their hands and learn to make or repair objects. Every day, Les affutés offers collective workshops in various fields including cabinet making, woodworking, sewing, electronics, renovation, etc. For example, you could build a piece of furniture or a skateboard, sew a bike bag or a piece of clothing, make soap, and so on. If you have an idea or a design in mind, you could also carry out a personal project with the help of the workshop leader.
An opportunity to learn, have fun, and proudly bring home your creations!
Le parc des Faubourgs
Whether you are launching yourself down the sledding hill in the winter or cooling off by the fountain on hot summer days, des Faubourg Park is a popular and much-loved spot with locals.
It is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a cup of coffee, read a book, or have a picnic. Outdoor movie nights and other festivals liven up the atmosphere in the summer while the skating rink, sledding hill, children’s playground, and play fountain attract sports enthusiasts and families alike. Up for a challenge? Try to find the church’s façade on one of the park’s playground games.
Le Village au Pied-du-Courant
Located on the shores of the St. Lawrence River, this urban park has been reinvented and now features food trucks, an outdoor bar, craft markets, and a beach. Every summer, this unique and refreshing urban space offers a free and diverse programming, which includes festive happy hours with live music, film screenings, workshops, conferences, and many other creative events.
The perfect spot to get together with friends or make new ones.
Épiceries fines
L’Éclaircie Pastry Shop
This pastry shop is a huge hit with locals for its beautiful and delicious éclairs. Specializing in the stuffed “choux” pastry, customers can choose from a variety of different and delicious versions of the famous dessert—from the classic éclair to pistachio to raspberry to praline or hazelnut, without forgetting the flavour of the month. And if you are gluten intolerant, l’Éclaircie always has at least one gluten-free option.
Last time we stopped in, we overheard that salty éclairs and iced éclairs may well find their way onto the menu soon!
Tite frette
This store is a must-visit for beer and cider lovers. It offers a wide variety of Quebec microbrews and local products in a modern and vintage décor. The beverages on offer are all top-notch and the vast selection of bottled and canned drinks are sure to quench your thirst.
Perfect for sprucing up your happy hour.
Restaurants et bars
Abruzzo
Abruzzo serves up authentic Italian fare in a warm, elegant atmosphere. Its three watchwords: fresh, simple, and high-quality. From fresh herbs to olive oil to Parmesan, the excellence of the ingredients is behind the wide variety of flavours on the menu. Discover the fresh pasta, braised meats, antipasto, and a vast selection of gluten-free options.
Embark on a culinary journey to Italian with a meal at Abruzzo!
Bistro Passé Composé
One of the top brunch spots in Montréal, Passé Composé is a French-inspired bistro serving up some of the best brunch classic with a twist. We recommend getting there early to avoid the line-ups.
On the menu: eggs, large crêpes, and decadent sandwiches. A must try is the popular duck confit or foie gras poached eggs. The chef is committed to always impressing diners by adding new dishes to the menu every two weeks.
Moreover, this convivial and enjoyable bistro favours fresh local products. We can assure you, you will not leave hungry!
Canard Café
Just steps from home is this popular third-wave café. As with any true bean lover, Canard Café is committed to offering customers a truly top-notch coffee drinking experience. Here, beauty is not just limited to the décor but can also be found in every cup served.Stop in to discover the latest local en vogue roasters while enjoying a decadent duck confit grilled cheese sandwich. The establishment also serves vegetarian and vegan options. The menu is a blend of delicious comfort food classics.
Café sfouf
When you need a change of scenery, Café sfouf is the perfect place to meet up with friends for a delicious coffee, pastry, or gourmet toast. Popular with office workers and students alike for its simple décor bathed in natural light, the café opened its doors in 2014 and is named after the Lebanese vegetarian dessert made from wheat semolina, turmeric, pine nuts, and water. We highly recommend trying this popular dessert: a true taste of Lebanon!
Le Blossom
Le Blossom restaurant and sake bar is the perfect date destination. Its modern, elegant décor showcases a gorgeous cherry blossom tree right in the centre of the space. On the food side, you will enjoy a variety of Japanese classics such as miso soup, sashimi, vegetable tempura, and many others. But the piece de resistance is the temaki, a maki-like roll that has not been cut. Served only at the bar, the best seat in the house with room for 21 guests, temakis need to be eaten right away so the nori sheet stays crispy. And we recommend pairing your fare with one of their many sakes.
Rose-Marie
Housed in a building dating back to 1883, this restaurant treats locals to chef Michael Lemme’s Italian cuisine. The menu focuses on simplicity and fresh, seasonal ingredients to make up his selection of aperitifs, appetizers, and traditional dishes and desserts. We especially love the homemade tagliatelle Bolognese, the tuna crudo, and ricotta gnocchi.
As for drinks, the cocktail menu was created by mixologist Julien Roy-Sinclair while the wine menu showcases Italian and French wines as well as other fresh, bold selections.
Good to know: the restaurant has two private rooms that are perfect for groups.
Palme
In search of warmth and tropical flavours?
Palme restaurant serves up a variety of West Indian specialties. Come celebrate a special event or escape into Caribbean culture in their warm, tropical décor. A few must-try specialties: the chef-owner’s take on the traditional tassot de kabrit, salt cod accras, the jerk chicken, and the Creole cigars. And let yourself be tempted by one of their delicious rum-based cocktails.
Palme is the perfect place to celebrate a special occasion in a jovial ambiance with live DJ.
Le red tiger
The Red Tiger is a Vietnamese pub with a laid-back and warm vibe. In a simple and original décor, diners will enjoy fresh, savoury fare. We are especially hooked on the mini pork and shrimp crêpes, the spring rolls, lemongrass beef skewers, and green papaya salad. The menu is a combination of traditional dishes and street food favourites. And don’t forget its renowned cocktail menu created by mixologist Lawrence Picard.
We recommend this spot for its no-fuss fare made with love.
Restaurant le Mousso
Part of Montréal gourmet dining scene, le Mousso restaurant, run by Antonin Mousso-Rivard and Katerine Mousso, offers a unique format hosting one sitting per evening for 30 diners. Their fixed tasting menu changes with the seasons and is accompanied by carefully selected wine pairings.
Come celebrate a special occasion or simply try their gourmet dining experience in Le Mousso’s chic and understated space. Sit at the bar and get a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes kitchen ambiance.
The tasting menu is a play on flavours, textures, and colours with the meticulously presented plates all arriving at once. This way, guests discover the evening’s delights at the same time while the chef is on hand to provide commentary.
Boutique
Valentina
Valentina is a women’s fashion boutique offering unique pieces. We adore their breezy, romantic dresses and comfy mesh tops.
Good to know: the boutique also serves coffee.
Congratulations on your new condo! A big day is looming: moving day. But don’t panic, the Esplanade Cartier team is sharing tips and advice so you can prepare for moving day in an effective and organized manner.
Ready to start planning your move into your new condo? Get out your to-do list and let’s begin!
T-Minus 4 Months: Book Your Move
The sales team will contact you to confirm your condo possession date about six to eight months before. This will give you the time to choose when you want to move. We suggest scheduling moving day on a different day than the possession date.
Please note that three-hour windows were specifically set aside to facilitate your move. During these times, you will have exclusive access to an elevator and a security guard will be on hand to assist you. There are two time windows available during the week: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. or 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. On weekends, you can choose between three times: 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Once you have decided, please make sure to inform the sales team or customer service team so we can reserve the time for you.
T-Minus 3 Months: Pick Your Movers
You have two choices: you can rely on your friends to help or hire professionals. If you decide to hire a moving company, make sure to research its reputation and reliability. We recommend reading this article by the Office de la protection de consommateur to help you make an informed decision. And get a head start so you can compare quotes from different moving companies. If you go the friend route, make sure to reserve your moving truck early.
In either case, the sooner you start planning the better.
T-Minus 2 Months: Packing Your Boxes
First, start sorting through your belongings. Consider selling or donating things you no longer use. The goal? Move light keeping only what you really need.
Next, get moving boxes, packing tape, black and red markers, and packing paper (unless you have enough towels and hand towels). Opt for medium-size boxes as they will be easier to carry once full.
Start packing the things you do not use daily. For example, books, seasonal clothing, some of your dishes, and so on. Fill boxes as much as you can so things do not shift around. And remember to use “fragile” stickers to identify any boxes with breakable items. Then write the destination address on the side of the box. Last, use the red marker to identify boxes that should be unpacked first, and the black marker for those that can wait.
Prepare a cleaning kit and “survival kit” so you do not need to unpack all your boxes on the first night.
Depending on the size of your freezer, this is also a good time to start eating up frozen food.
T-Minus 1 Month: Paperwork
Now that your boxes are packed, it’s time for administrative tasks. First, fill out the change of address forms with the following institutions:
- Financial institution
- Insurance company
- Employer
- Energy provider
- Telecom company
Depending on your situation, you might need to add these organizations to your list as well:
- Healthcare provider
- School
- Car dealership
For other services such as your Quebec health insurance (RAMQ), Revenu Québec, Élection Québec, SAAQ, and so on, you can do a single change of address request by using the Service québécois de changement d’adresse. You also need to update your address with the Government of Canada’s services and departments.
For renters, now is the time to clean up before you vacate the premises. Take care of the few required repairs (e.g., plastering the holes you made in the walls to hang up paintings, mirrors, etc.) to ensure you will not be charged any fees.
The Eve of Your Move
Tomorrow, you will sleep in your new condo!
Don’t forget your cleaning and “survival” kits.
And, remember moving day is a great opportunity to discover your new neighbourhood’s pizzerias: after all, pizza is a great way to thank your friends for helping you!
After two eventful years spent cocooning indoors, this year’s spring trends are all about letting the sun back in and bringing joy and warmth to our interiors. After the cold and snow of winter, we are more than ready for spring with all its objects, shapes, colours, styles, and materials. Discover the five biggest spring 2022 trends and how to integrate them into your condo décor. The Esplanade Cartier real estate project team is your guide to what’s new and hot this season.
International inspiration
Once again, this season’s décors are inspired by travels abroad and different parts of the world. While Scandinavian design is still very much in, this year we’re mixing it with Berber carpets, handmade pottery, natural materials, and more. The colourful and happy Memphis style is also making a major comeback with its organic shapes, terrazzo, and colour blocking (combining a maximum of three bold colours for a striking effect). Try it in pastel tones for a softer, calmer art de vivre.
Curves and rounded shapes
Cocooning curves have the gift of feeling safe and warm and thus reassuring. Look for furniture or key accessories with rounded shapes. Or opt to paint an arch in one of your rooms.
Sage green
Easy to match with both classic and bolder home décors, sage green fits in seamlessly with white walls and various shades of dark or light wood. A soothing colour that is perfect for any room.
Natural materials for contrast
To create contrast in your interiors, try adding objects or small pieces of furniture made from natural materials. Think marble, plaster, steel and travertine, which is a natural stone in soft, bright tones. Travertine is often used to create beautiful, yet irregular, coffee or accent tables.
Organic shapes
Organic shapes were already popping up in home décor boutiques in 2021 and they continue to liven up our interiors. We especially love their asymmetry for mirrors and dishes.
Looking for an inspiring place to live 3 minutes walk from Papineau station ? Take a look in our units , here.
To celebrate International Women’s Day, our team spoke with Isabelle Gélinas, Director of Communications at the Montréal YWCA. We discussed the organization’s mission and values, its integration into the Esplanade Cartier project, and its approach to International Women’s Day.
Building a brighter future for all women
The first thing Ms. Gélinas, the organization’s Director of Communications, told us was that the Women’s Y is celebrating its 147th anniversary this year. “We have been in Montréal longer than City Hall”, joked Gélinas.
In fact, the Women’s Y has been contributing to building a more inclusive, safer, and less violent society for women, girls, and gender non-conforming individuals since 1875. At its beginning, the Montréal Women’s Y assisted “foreigners,” which at the time meant women who arrived in the city from the countryside, explains Ms. Gélinas. Upon their arrival, the organization would help them with housing, provide job search assistance, and a host of other services.
“At the time, the Montréal Women’s Y offered a bunch of completely new initiatives for women. For example, we gave typing and stenography courses, which back then was revolutionary as secretarial jobs were reserved for men.”
The Montréal Women’s Y was also the first to open a fitness centre in 1909 that was reserved exclusively for women.
Renewing services according to the issues of the times
The Women’s Y has adapted its services according to issues of safety and violence women encountered throughout history.
“You don’t make it to 147 without adapting. The issues are always there, but how we address them is what has changed.”
However, Gélinas points out that the underlying principle of the Women’s Y is still the same—to provide safe spaces for women. The organization provides both transitional housing with weekly psychosocial support to women and the opportunity to participate in various activities as well as affordable rental housing for women and their families.
The pandemic has definitely accentuated the systemic hurdles women face and the apprehension they feel in accessing housing and employment. As Ms. Gélinas explains, this is even more pronounced for single mothers, women from racialized groups, immigrants, and so on.
With this context in mind, the organization offers a multitude of solutions. It provides employability programs, a legal information clinic, family caregiver support services, and family activities. It also hosts prevention workshops in schools and academic settings to equip young women with the tools needed to build healthy and equal relationships. The Y also gives workshops to employers to raise awareness about unconscious biases that hinder a variety of processes.
As Gélinas put it, “everything we do aims to build a more inclusive, equitable, and less violent world.”
An enhanced affordable housing offering for single women, women with children, and women caregivers
By joining the Esplanade Cartier project, the Women’s Y will enrich the community programs already offered in the area and create new social housing for women and their families. As opposed to the organization’s current location, this new building will include family-adapted housing just minutes from a metro station.
“We’re really happy to be a part of a socially diverse project. We think it’s fun to be in a lively setting with stores, offices, public spaces, and housing. And we’re thrilled to offer new social housing and contribute to the growth of community services offered to women.”
The organization will run a brand new 360-degree support centre, where women and their families will be able to get assistance and receive guidance on their concerns and worries. There will also be a volunteer centre, which will act as a springboard for individuals to acquire a first professional experience in Quebec.
Finally, the Women’s Y will expand its employability programs and assist women looking for their first job or to make a career change.
Celebrating the progress made while recognizing the long road ahead
For Ms. Gélinas, she proposes celebrating International Women’s Day in two ways. “On the one hand, it’s an opportunity to celebrate women in all their diversity and richness. On the other, it is important to acknowledge that gender equality has not been achieved and there is still a long road ahead.” It is also an opportunity to learn more about the contribution, actions, and current fights of various women’s movements.
Thanks to a camera installed on the periphery of the lot, you can as of now virtually access the site at all times and follow the progress of the work of Esplanade Cartier.
Aiming for transparency and meaning to present the deployment of the project in real time, we have set up a camera system, offering an up-to-date progress of the work on the first block of Esplanade Cartier.
This new platform will allow you, among other things, to go back in time to the installation of the system and to review the history of the evolution in accelerated form of video. Whether on mobile, tablet or from your computer, day, evening or night, consult the following link to access the site and see the progress of the project.
Take our guided virtual tour!
The current health crisis is forcing all of us to reassess how we do things. And for Prével, the challenge has been particularly hard because we are known for our human-based approach. After being closed for 2 months, our sales office will be open by appointment starting next May 25th. Ideally, we prefer that you make an appointment so we can limit the number of people in the office. Even if the required measures and precautions to facilitate social distancing are put into place, we understand that some would rather not visit the sales office in person. Our consultants are always available remotely to answer all your questions and offer you a solution that is both attractive and safe.
Visit your future home without leaving the couch
We are proud to bring the Esplanade Cartier project to you through an immersive 3D visit. With this tool, our sales consultants can take you on a personalized guided tour. So, dive right into the heart of the project and discover all its features. Marvel at how bright the different units are at different times of the day. Explore the neighbourhood. And so much more!
How does it work?
Easy. Just let our sales consultants guide you through your very own personalized and immersive tour:
- They will first email you a link to the tour.
- They will then present the project in 3D, including the different views and perspectives, panoramic views and views of the immediate surroundings.
- They will go over the 2D plans of the units that interest you and the 3D views of certain units.
- They will be happy to answer all your questions throughout the presentation (by telephone or videoconference, whatever you prefer).
- They will then email you the plans, photos, and videos of the presentation.
Aside from the initial connection, there is no complex tool to use: our consultant takes care of it all, you simply need to enjoy the tour!
Here is an overview (video in french only):
Book a tour today
Interested in the Esplanade Cartier project? Make an appointment with one of our sales consultants for an immersive guided tour and discover the project as if you were there in person.
Prével is proud to announce that construction work has begun on the first phase of Esplanade Cartier—an innovative condo project at the corner of Sainte-Catherine East and Parthenais streets, at the foot of the Jacques Cartier Bridge.
This is the first residential project of its type in the Sainte-Marie neighbourhood. It’s been meticulously designed to fit seamlessly with the surrounding area and add to its vibrancy.
Phase 1 Construction progress
The excavation work is finished. Our team is now busy with the formwork, which includes three parts: the footing, the foundation walls, and the slabs. Once these are done, the concrete can be poured. In just a few months, the structure will begin to take shape—and within 2 years Phase 1 will be able to accommodate its first occupants. These will be the first new residents to live urban life here, and enjoy the comfort of their unit, the welcoming lobby (an ideal place to meet other residents), furnished rooftop, local shops on the main floor, and part of the placette—or urban square—in the heart of the project.
Phase 2 is already underway
After the immensely successful launch of Phase 1, we have already launched Phase 2 of the project. If city life is something you’ve been looking for, let us convince you of all the neighbourhood has to offer. Pass by our sales office to learn more about Phase 2 of Esplanade Cartier and discover the floor plans of our 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom units.
A vibrant, lively neighbourhood
Esplanade Cartier is designed to reflect and showcase Sainte-Marie neighbourhood’s social diversity—as well as usage diversity. Here, first-time buyers live alongside local families, and workers share the space with residents, all to create a space that’s vibrant and lively, day and night. The project is also designed to ensure everyone can easily navigate the area, all thanks to local shops and offices, the placette—or urban square—where people can spontaneously meet, and public green spaces that are open to all. The result? A project that incorporates the very best of what life in the city has to offer.
