Summary#
Montréal city council unanimously approved ending the City’s lease with Services culinaires Kamuy inc. for the restaurant space and terrace at 1485, rue Jeanne-Mance, in Ville-Marie. The decision approves $172,583 in lost rent revenue, before taxes, for June 1, 2027, to October 31, 2030, and puts part of a lot that includes the terrace into the public domain when the lease ends. City staff say the goal is to make the buildings available for other uses and support cultural and event activities.
- The lease has a clause allowing either party to end it with one year’s written notice, without compensation. The decision also allows an earlier end date between June 1, 2026, and May 31, 2027, if both parties agree.
- The rent-loss period may use another end date if the parties agree before May 31, 2027.
- The City has not approved a new use for the buildings.
What it means for you#
- Services culinaires Kamuy inc.: Its lease for the 2,723-square-foot restaurant space and 980-square-foot terrace will end. The decision does not set a final termination date.
- Public: The decision does not directly change public services or establish a new use for the space. It puts part of lot 5 171 922, identified in a plan, into the public domain when the lease ends.
Money#
The City approved $172,583 in foregone rent before taxes; the staff table gives a total of $198,427.30 including taxes for June 1, 2027, to October 31, 2030.
- The decision does not state the value of any unpaid rent or other amounts Kamuy owes.
- No separate estimate is given for staff costs, savings, or costs of future uses of the buildings.
What is unclear#
- The final termination date is not settled; an earlier date requires both parties’ agreement.
- City staff list possible future uses, including festival production offices and event lounges, but no use has been selected.
- The materials do not say how much rent or other charges remain unpaid.
Case for#
- City staff say the lease clause lets either party end the arrangement with a year’s notice, giving both time to plan.
- Staff say ending the lease would stop unpaid amounts from accumulating and reduce financial and operational risks.
- Staff say planned major works could reduce restaurant traffic, and that ending the lease could make it easier to reuse the buildings.
Case against#
- The City will give up $172,583 in rent revenue before taxes for the stated period.
- The decision does not identify the buildings’ next use or give its costs, so the public benefit and financial effects of that reuse are not yet clear.