Rediscover Dorchester Square this summer!

Square Dorchester, a green oasis in the heart of downtown, is a perfect place for strolling and resting. Redesigned from 2009 to 2019, it has regained the prestige associated with its status as a heritage site. Montreal landscape architect Claude Cormier, creator of The Ring located Esplanade PVM, is behind the concept of the “new” Dorchester Square.

Built on the site of Saint-Antoine Cemetery, a former Catholic cemetery from 1776 to 1871, the first formal development of the square began in late 1872 and was completed in 1880. Square Dorchester and Place du Canada then formed a single entity known as Dominion Square, a name reminiscent of the Dominion of Canada. In 1966, the southern part became Place du Canada, while the northern part retained its original name until 1987. Following the death of former Quebec Premier René Lévesque in 1987, boulevard Dorchester was named boulevard René-Lévesque. Dominion Square then became Dorchester Square, to preserve the memory of Guy Carleton, Baron of Dorchester, in whose honor the boulevard had originally been named.

This summer, the downtown businesses invite you to reclaim and rediscover this collective space with the installation of public furniture. 

Source: Archives from Ville de Montréal

Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest recommendations from Montréal centre-ville!