Pyramide de Sainte-Foy

Pyramide de Sainte-Foy (also known as La Pyramide or Ma Pyramide) is a pyramid-shaped commercial complex in the Cité-Universitaire neighbourhood of Sainte-Foy, Quebec City, near Université Laval. Officially named "Centre Innovation" from 1974 to 2013, the building contains five levels including a basement, with restaurants and boutiques on the ground floor and basement, and offices on the upper floors. It is a mixed-use destination combining retail, dining, health and beauty services, sports and entertainment, and professional offices. The project was initiated in 1972 when real-estate promoter Rolland Couillard, together with his nephews Jean-Pierre and Claude Ruel, acquired land belonging to the Frères des Écoles Chrétiennes. The building was designed by architects Paul Gauthier, Gilles Guité and Jean-Marie Roy, with a project cost estimated at around $5 million at the time. The pyramid shape is said to be linked to municipal regulations and the high cost of the land. Opening was initially planned for autumn 1973, but a materials shortage caused a six-month delay; the shopping centre officially opened on 4 April 1974. From 1986 to 2019, the Le Clap cinema was located within the Pyramide. Around the turn of the century, the centre experienced decline and its occupancy rate fell below 35%. In 2002, GCS Développement immobilier became its manager, and new owner Sylvain Gilbert began a series of renovations and expansions, including cutting into the base of the pyramid. In 2015, a densification project promised six commercial and residential buildings around the Pyramide, but ten years later the project had still not been launched. In autumn 2025, the building was sold to La Pyramide de Ste-Foy inc., held by a quartet of businessmen. Today, the Pyramide is promoted as "the vibrant heart of Sainte-Foy," offering 25 trendy restaurants, a 40,000 sq ft grocery store, a pharmacy, a Dollarama, yoga and fitness, numerous professional offices, remarkable architecture, an imposing hall with atrium, a mezzanine shopping gallery, and proximity to public transit. Its synergy of merchants and interconnected services makes it a highly frequented location, particularly given its concentrated pool of students and professionals.

The Pyramide de Sainte-Foy was conceived during the development of the Cité-Universitaire area in the 1970s. In 1972, real-estate promoter Rolland Couillard, in partnership with his nephews Jean-Pierre and Claude Ruel, acquired a plot of land belonging to the Frères des Écoles Chrétiennes. The building was designed by architects Paul Gauthier, Gilles Guité and Jean-Marie Roy. The project cost was estimated at around $5 million at the time. The choice of a pyramid shape is said to be related to municipal regulations and the high cost of the land. The opening was initially planned for autumn 1973, but a shortage of materials caused a six-month delay. The shopping centre officially opened its doors on 4 April 1974 under the name "Centre Innovation". The building has five levels, including a basement, with restaurants and various boutiques on the ground floor and basement, and offices on the upper floors. From 1986 to 2019, the Le Clap cinema was located within the Pyramide. Around the turn of the century, the shopping centre experienced a period of decline, and its occupancy rate fell below 35%. In 2002, GCS Développement immobilier became its manager. The new owner, Sylvain Gilbert, initiated a series of renovations and expansions, including cutting into the base of the pyramid. In 2015, a densification project for the site promised the construction of six commercial and residential buildings on the spaces around the Pyramide. Ten years later, the project had still not been launched. In autumn 2025, the building was sold to the company "La Pyramide de Ste-Foy inc.", held by a quartet of businessmen. Today, the Pyramide is recognized not only for its exceptional shape but also for its dynamism and diversity. The synergy of its merchants and its service offering propel customers into a whole new experience. The explosive mix of trendy commercial concepts and interconnected services makes it an extremely frequented place. It offers 25 trendy restaurants, a 40,000 sq ft grocery store, a pharmacy, a Dollarama, yoga fitness, a multitude of professional offices, remarkable architecture, an imposing hall with atrium, an exceptional site, a concentrated pool of students and professionals, a diversity of services, a place where it is good to work, proximity to public transit, and an attractive mezzanine shopping gallery.

• 2025

  The building is sold in autumn to La Pyramide de Ste-Foy inc., held by a quartet of businessmen.

• 2019

  Le Clap cinema ceases operations within the Pyramide.

• 2015

  A densification project promises six commercial and residential buildings around the Pyramide.

• 2013

  The official name changes from "Centre Innovation" to "Pyramide de Sainte-Foy".

• 2002

  GCS Développement immobilier becomes manager; new owner Sylvain Gilbert starts renovations and expansions.

• 1986

  Le Clap cinema begins operating within the Pyramide.

• 1974

  The shopping centre officially opens on 4 April under the name "Centre Innovation".

• 1973

  Originally planned opening in autumn is delayed by six months due to a materials shortage.

• 1972

  Real-estate promoter Rolland Couillard, with his nephews Jean-Pierre and Claude Ruel, acquires land from the Frères des Écoles Chrétiennes for the project.

A distinctive pyramid-shaped mixed-use commercial centre in Sainte-Foy, Quebec City, offering a synergistic mix of dining, retail, services and offices for students and professionals.

• Restaurants

  25 trendy restaurants offering a variety of dining options.

• Grocery store

  A 40,000 sq ft grocery store.

• Pharmacy

  A pharmacy serving the complex.

• Dollarama

  A Dollarama discount store.

• Yoga fitness

  Yoga and fitness facilities.

• Professional offices

  A multitude of professional offices on upper floors.

• Boutiques

  Various boutiques on the ground floor and basement.

• Health and beauty services

  Health and beauty service providers.

• Sports and entertainment

  Sports and entertainment offerings.

1. 1Ma Pyramide – 2360, Chemin Sainte-Foy, QUEBEC (QC) G1V 4H2mapyramide.ca
2. 2Boutiques & Services – Ma Pyramidemapyramide.ca
3. 3Pyramide de Sainte-Foy – Wikidatawikidata.org
4. 4Pyramide de Sainte-Foy – Wikipédiafr.wikipedia.org