Nestled under the Jacques Cartier Bridge, the Île Sainte-Hélène Pavilion is currently undergoing extensive rehabilitation work. Built between 1927 and 1931 in an art deco style rarely seen in Montreal, it is not an especially well-known building.

In 2025, JCCBI launched a major project that will continue until 2026 to restore the pavilion’s exterior walls, four towers, windows, and mosaics to extend its service life and preserve this heritage.  

Although the pavilion will remain inaccessible to the public, the project marks an important step in the enhancement of an architectural jewel located at the heart of one of the city’s most important thoroughfares. The main objective is to preserve the integrity of the building by retaining all its original features. The work is therefore being carried out with painstaking attention to detail.

Exterior walls and towers

Crews are using hydroblasting to strip the exterior walls and towers, which will be clad with a new masonry finish cast directly on site. Hydroblasting is a form of high-pressure cleaning that relies entirely on the force of water. You’ll notice that the towers have been covered in fabric to safely manage contaminants in the paint.

Windows, doors and mosaics

All the building’s windows will be replaced with double-glazed aluminum units, while maintaining the original shapes, colours and dimensions. The mosaics will be restored by installing terracotta tiles that match the original shades and dimensions.

Bronze bust of Jacques Cartier and commemorative plaques

The bronze bust of Jacques Cartier and the commemorative plaques will be removed and restored on site and reinstalled just a few metres from the current location.

Drainage work

The project also includes field work to improve stormwater management from the Jacques Cartier Bridge.

As a whole, the project represents an investment in the future. Among other things, it will ensure that the pavilion can continue to serve as a support structure for the Jacques Cartier Bridge.

To follow the progress of the project, visit the Ongoing and upcoming work page on our website.