Place Versailles
A major enclosed shopping centre in Montreal and the first enclosed shopping mall in the Montreal area.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Place Versailles is an enclosed shopping centre at the junction of Sherbrooke Street East and Highway 25 in Montreal's Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough, Quebec. Located beside Radisson metro station and less than two kilometres south of Galeries d'Anjou, the centre has served as a retail destination for Montreal's east end since its opening in 1963. Its position near a major road interchange and a metro station has supported a broad catchment area combining local residents, transit users and automobile-oriented shoppers. The centre officially opened on November 7, 1963, with 30 stores and approximately 350,000 square feet of retail space. It was the first enclosed shopping mall in the Montreal area. Its original tenant mix included Steinberg, Miracle Mart and Greenberg, while a two-screen Cinema Versailles operated in the parking area with separate English- and French-language programming. The original portion of the complex is still identifiable around the corridor containing the Canadian Tire and Maxi stores. Place Versailles grew through successive anchor additions and expansions. Pascal's opened a large hardware store in 1969, followed by a 134,000-square-foot The Bay department store in 1973. From 1973 through 1987, the centre was anchored by The Bay, Miracle Mart, Steinberg and Pascal's. A late-1980s expansion added a two-storey section, contrasting with the predominantly single-storey layout of the original mall. Several anchor changes followed the financial difficulties and closures of major Canadian retail chains. Miracle Mart became M in 1987 and the local M store closed after that chain's liquidation in 1992. Steinberg was converted into Maxi in 1992, Pascal's closed after its 1991 bankruptcy, The Bay departed in 2003, and Rona left in 2005. Bureau en Gros occupied the former Rona space in 2006. The centre's later tenant changes included the arrival of Fabricville in 1992, the replacement of Zellers by Target in 2013, and the subsequent conversion of the Target lease to Canadian Tire in 2015. Winners/HomeSense, Bureau en Gros, Maxi and Canadian Tire became key anchors, while the former department-store space was divided among several smaller retailers and services. The centre also became home to the 50th La Cage aux Sports restaurant in 2010, adding a prominent dining and sports-entertainment use to its retail offer. In 2024, reports described a long-term redevelopment proposal involving substantial residential construction, a school and a hotel, with the commercial component reduced from the existing footprint. The proposal required municipal and public-consultation approvals, and Place Versailles characterized the process as a period of renewal and innovation rather than an immediate end to the centre. As a result, the mall's future is tied to a phased urban-redevelopment plan, while its existing retail operations remain active.
History
Place Versailles opened on November 7, 1963, in Montreal's east end with 30 stores. Its opening made it the first enclosed shopping mall in the Montreal area. The initial complex contained about 350,000 square feet of retail space on a much larger site, and its tenant roster included Steinberg, Miracle Mart and Greenberg. A two-screen cinema in the parking area complemented the early retail offer by presenting films in both English and French. The original mall structure remains visible in the section associated with the Canadian Tire and Maxi corridors. The centre expanded its retail and anchor-store role during the late 1960s and 1970s. Pascal's opened a 91,000-square-foot hardware store on August 21, 1969, making it one of the chain's largest locations. On March 15, 1973, the Hudson's Bay Company opened a 134,000-square-foot The Bay department store. For much of the period from 1973 to 1987, The Bay, Miracle Mart, Steinberg and Pascal's formed the centre's principal anchor group. The anchor mix changed as Canadian retail chains were renamed, reorganized or closed. Miracle Mart was converted to the M nameplate on August 19, 1987. During the late 1980s, Place Versailles added a two-storey section, while most of the complex retained its original single-storey form. Pascal's entered bankruptcy proceedings in 1991, and its Place Versailles store closed at the end of July that year. Fabricville opened its current location on May 13, 1992. Following the liquidation of the M chain in June 1992, the local M store closed on August 29. Steinberg was also converted to Maxi in 1992. For much of the 1990s and early 2000s, The Bay, Maxi, Zellers and Rona–Le Quincailler served as the principal anchors. The Bay closed during the final quarter of 2003, after which its former space was divided among multiple users, including Winners/HomeSense, Globo, Style Exchange, Safari, Sports Experts, Dollarama and McDonald's. Rona closed in 2005, and Bureau en Gros took over its space in 2006. The centre continued to add food, entertainment and general-merchandise uses. La Cage aux Sports opened its 50th restaurant at Place Versailles in 2010 on the second floor, with both interior and exterior access. Zellers closed in 2012 and Target replaced it on September 17, 2013. Target did not retain the former Zellers entrance into the food court; the entrance was replaced by a graphic water feature that the mall described as the first of its type in North America. Target exited the Canadian market in 2015, and Canadian Tire acquired the lease in May of that year. Place Versailles attracted criticism in 2017 after announcing a Santa Claus arrival on Remembrance Day. The event was scheduled for 10 a.m., before the national ceremony time, and veterans objected particularly because the year marked the centenary of the Battle of Passchendaele. The mall cited logistical limitations in retaining the date and time, but subsequently apologized in a social-media statement. In 2024, a redevelopment concept was reported that would substantially reshape the site. The reported plan included condominium or other residential buildings capable of accommodating more than 5,000 people, a school and a hotel, while retaining a reduced amount of commercial space. The project was expected to proceed in phases over many years and required approval by the borough and review through Montreal's public-consultation process. Place Versailles disputed descriptions that the plan represented the immediate end of the mall, instead framing it as a renewal and innovation initiative. The reported redevelopment means the centre remains an active retail property while its long-term physical form is under consideration.
- 2024
Long-term redevelopment proposal emerges
[1]A proposed phased project was reported to include housing, a school, a hotel and a reduced commercial footprint.
- 2015
Canadian Tire takes over Target space
[1]After Target's Canadian closure, Canadian Tire acquired the lease in May.
- 2013
Target replaces Zellers
[1]Target opened in the former Zellers location on September 17.
- 2010
La Cage opens its 50th restaurant
[1]La Cage aux Sports opened its 50th restaurant at the centre.
- 2006
Bureau en Gros takes former Rona space
[1]Bureau en Gros occupied the location vacated by Rona after its 2005 closure.
- 2003
The Bay departs
[1]The Bay closed its Place Versailles location during the last quarter of the year.
- 1992
Fabricville opens and anchor identities change
[1]Fabricville opened its current store on May 13; the M store closed in August after liquidation, and Steinberg was converted to Maxi.
- 1991
Pascal's closes after bankruptcy
[1]Following the chain's bankruptcy, the Place Versailles store closed at the end of July.
- 1987
Miracle Mart changes to M
[1]The Miracle Mart store adopted the M nameplate on August 19.
- 1973
The Bay becomes an anchor
[1]The Hudson's Bay Company opened a 134,000-square-foot The Bay department store on March 15.
Products and positioning
A large, transit-accessible enclosed shopping centre serving Montreal's east end with a practical mix of grocery, general merchandise, hardware, office-supply, apparel, restaurant and service tenants.
Hardware, automotive and general merchandise · 2015
Canadian Tire
A major anchor offering automotive products and services, hardware, household goods, seasonal merchandise, sporting goods and general retail products. It occupies space associated with the mall's original section and later took over the lease previously used by Target.
Grocery retail · 1992
Maxi
A discount grocery anchor serving everyday food and household-shopping needs. The store occupies space that originated with Steinberg, which was converted to the Maxi format in 1992.
Off-price apparel and home goods
Winners/HomeSense
An off-price retail offering combining Winners apparel and accessories with HomeSense home furnishings and decor. The operation is part of the subdivision of the former The Bay anchor space.
Office supplies and business products · 2006
Bureau en Gros
An office-supply and business-products anchor offering stationery, office equipment, technology-related merchandise and workplace services. It took over the former Rona space in 2006.
Restaurant and sports entertainment · 2010
La Cage
A Quebec sports-themed restaurant located on the mall's second floor, with an additional exterior access route. The Place Versailles location opened as the chain's 50th restaurant in 2010 and combines dining with televised sporting events.
Fabric and sewing retail · 1992
Fabricville
A fabric and sewing-supplies retailer serving customers seeking textiles, notions and related craft or home-sewing products. Its current Place Versailles store opened in 1992.
Controversies
Marketing campaigns
- 2017Santa Claus arrival promotion
Montreal
Place Versailles promoted a Santa Claus arrival scheduled for the morning of November 11, Remembrance Day in Canada.
Outcome. The timing prompted criticism from veterans and other members of the public. The event remained scheduled as announced, while the mall later apologized and attempted to make amends.
Brand decisions
2024
Phased mixed-use redevelopment proposalStrategyBackground
Reports described a plan to use the large site more intensively through residential, institutional, hospitality and commercial development.
Action taken
A proposal was advanced for condominium or other residential buildings, a school, a hotel and a reduced commercial area, subject to borough and public-consultation approvals.
Aftermath
Place Versailles said the reports overstated the finality of the mall's disappearance and characterized the initiative as renewal and innovation. Construction was reported as a future, phased undertaking rather than an immediate closure.
2015
Canadian Tire takes over former Target leaseStrategyBackground
Target closed its Canadian operations after occupying the former Zellers anchor.
Action taken
Canadian Tire acquired the Place Versailles lease in May 2015.
Aftermath
Canadian Tire became one of the centre's principal current anchors.
2013
Target replaces ZellersStrategyBackground
Zellers closed its Place Versailles store in 2012, leaving a major anchor opportunity.
Action taken
Target opened in the former Zellers location on September 17, 2013. The former direct entrance to the food court was not retained.
Aftermath
Target later exited Canada, and Canadian Tire acquired the lease in May 2015.
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