Salon Urbain

Music and culture lovers in Quebec now have a richer experience to look forward to when attending their favorite concerts and exhibitions, thanks to the opening of Salon Urbain in downtown Montreal. A&D firms Sid Lee Architecture and Ædifica turned the former parking area at Place des Arts into a versatile space ideal for meeting up before or after a musical performance, gallery visit or conference. Salon Urbain fully captures the artistic appeal of the site, located at the St. Urbain entrance of the Place des Arts and next to the new concert hall.

“The Salon Urbain boasts a conveniently central location, but it really comes to life during events,” explains Martin Leblanc, architect and partner at Sid Lee Architecture. “The space is a destination in itself, and a welcoming prelude to the musical and social experience it precedes.”

The bar is the pièce de resistance, and has been described as a hymn to art and a sound wave in physical form. It is the key element in a mobile world where people come together to dance, listen and mingle. The color red is omnipresent, associated with performing arts and premiere nights, and symbolizes a hip, urban culture that beats to the rhythms of music and the arts.

The goal of the Salon Urbain is to keep alive the magical feeling that comes with attending a concert. As a must-see destination, it is positioned to attract a dedicated clientele all its own.

Sid Lee Architecture
(514) 282-2200
www.sidleearchitecture.com

Ædifica
(514) 844-6611
www.aedifica.com

Editor's Thoughts:
"I love how the striking, geometric forms of the ceiling in this space, which can be backlit with different colors, are beautifully juxtaposed to the warm, wood flooring. And who wouldn’t want to keep the party going post-show at the sculpture-like bar? Count me in.”
—Robert Nieminen