Located in the building that formerly housed the Le Commensal restaurant, the second ITHQ pavilion will stand five stories high at 1720-1726 Saint-Denis Street. Although not officially classified as heritage sites, the two brick houses—currently hidden by a glass canopy—will have their facades preserved and showcased.

A Major Real Estate Project

The green light granted by the Government of Quebec to the Institut de tourisme et d'hôtellerie du Québec (ITHQ) kicks off the institution's largest infrastructure project since its founding in 1968.

Located at 1720-1726 Saint-Denis Street, just steps from the main building, this new pavilion will occupy a gross area of 4,600 m². For urban development experts, this initiative represents an exemplary model of soft densification within a critical sector with a strong cultural and institutional vocation.

The architectural approach, entrusted to the prestigious firm Provencher_Roy, focuses on a respectful integration of the historic built environment: the original facade on Saint-Denis Street will be meticulously preserved and restored, while the entire rear structure will be completely rebuilt to sustainable contemporary standards.

This blending of heritage and modernity, executed by construction giant Pomerleau, will maximize natural light intake and integrate indoor green spaces, creating a world-class learning environment.

Technical Sheet, Key Players, and Execution Schedule

The development of this real estate project relies on an innovative public-private-community partnership.

The Société de développement Angus (SDA), recognized for its expertise in eco-responsible urban revitalization, is acting as the prime contractor for the development, ensuring the building meets the highest standards of sustainability and local impact.

Economic Impacts and Budgets

Although the exact budget envelopes remain subject to final approvals of actual 2026 construction cost structures, a 4,600 m² complex in a dense urban environment represents a major public investment, estimated at several tens of millions of dollars. This investment is directly injected into the local construction industry and Quebec engineering.

On a macroeconomic level, the tourism, hospitality, and restaurant industry constitutes the province's fourth-largest economic engine. By modernizing its research and higher education infrastructures, the Quebec government is securing a highly qualified workforce and stimulating sectoral innovation.

The pavilion will notably house two renowned research units: the GastronomiQc Lab and ExperiSens. These centers work actively on customer experience, food science, and the operational profitability of service businesses, generating direct benefits for commercial SMEs across Quebec.

Social Impact and Attendance Statistics

The Quartier Latin has gone through complex economic cycles over the past decade.

The injection of a permanent student contingent and the expansion of the ITHQ will act as a first-rate social catalyst. The future pavilion will accommodate the ITHQ's entire university student population, third-year CEGEP (college) classes, as well as collaborative workspaces.

In terms of attendance statistics, hundreds of additional students, researchers, professors, and business partners will transit daily on Saint-Denis Street. This critical mass of pedestrians will directly support local businesses, restaurants, cafes, and cultural institutions in the area, fostering a safe, dynamic, and resilient living environment.

The continuous occupation of the premises, day and night, contributes directly to the strategy of social diversity and urban revitalization driven by the City of Montreal and the Ministry of Social Solidarity.

Highlights of the ITHQ's History

For over 50 years, the Institut de tourisme et d'hôtellerie du Québec (ITHQ) has been the benchmark in Canada for specialized training in tourism, hospitality, food service, and sommelier fields.

Meeting the highest industry standards, it is the only school in the country to offer programs at all three levels of education (vocational, technical, and university). Equipped with unique facilities, including a teaching hotel, two pedagogical application restaurants, and a bar, it features two research units (GastronomiQc Lab and ExperiSens) and an expertise center. In addition to its degree programs, the ITHQ also offers training for professionals, services for businesses and institutions, as well as workshops for the general public (SAQ Workshops by ITHQ).

• 1968 Foundation: Established to structure service excellence at the dawn of the post-Expo 67 tourism boom.

• Unique in Canada: The only hotel school in the country to deploy an integrated offering across all three levels of education (vocational, technical, and university).

• Integrated Infrastructure: The institution operates a teaching hotel, two pedagogical application restaurants, and a bar, anchoring theory in market practice.

• Current Campus: In its current building next to the Sherbrooke metro station, the ITHQ had become cramped.

• Hands-on Training: Education involves numerous field experiences with local and international establishments. Every year, the ITHQ organizes 1,000 internships for its students.

• The New Pavilion: Providing an additional 4,600 m², it will be dedicated to management and research. It will host third-year college classes, all university students, and the two research units—where culinary techniques, among other things, are perfected.

• Modern Design: The existing facade will be retained, while the building is entirely rebuilt behind it. Bathed in natural light and punctuated with green spaces, the future pavilion will foster exchange and learning in an environment designed according to the best contemporary architectural practices. It will also consolidate the ITHQ's student, academic, and scientific presence in the heart of Montreal and the Quartier Latin.

• Notable Alumni: Created in the wake of Expo 67, which introduced Quebec to cuisines from around the world, the ITHQ counts chefs Jessica Rosval, Martin Picard, Marie-Fleur St-Pierre, and Ricardo Larrivée among its graduates.

• International Caliber: Recognized for its distinctive pedagogical approach and applied research activities, the establishment also plays a leading role with industry and government institutions, notably through its expertise center.

• Recent Academic Evolution: Recently obtained the autonomous right to grant university degrees, consolidating its status as a hub for applied scientific research.

A Vision for the Future

This new management and innovation pavilion is much more than an institutional real estate project. It is a successful urban surgical intervention within the Quartier Latin. By entrusting the project to key players committed to sustainable development and heritage conservation, the ITHQ ensures an infrastructure geared toward the future, perpetuating its title as the Canadian leader in hospitality training while positively redesigning the Montreal real estate landscape by 2028.