City approves 24-month theatre lease

Summary#

Montréal city council unanimously approved a 24-month lease to Théâtre Teesri Duniya, starting February 1, 2026. The City is renting the theatre 700 square feet of office and creative space at 251 avenue des Pins Ouest, in the Cité-des-Hospitalières, for $36,855, excluding sales taxes.

  • Either the City or the theatre can end the lease early with 30 days’ notice.
  • The City provides energy and pays for maintenance and repairs. The theatre pays property taxes and cleaning costs.
  • The City will record the rent as income in the operating budget of its Service de la stratégie immobilière (Real Estate Strategy Service).

What it means for you#

  • Théâtre Teesri Duniya: It can continue using the space for offices, a research-creation project and its theatre company. The lease runs for 24 months, but either party can end it with 30 days’ notice.
  • The City: It receives rent but must provide energy and cover maintenance and repairs. The theatre is responsible for property taxes and cleaning.
  • Other residents: The decision does not directly change residents’ taxes, services or property rights.

Money#

The lease brings the City $36,855 in rent, excluding sales taxes, over 24 months.

  • The decision summary lists total rent including sales taxes as $42,374.04.
  • The City’s costs for energy, maintenance and repairs are not estimated in the materials.

What is unclear#

  • The lease itself is not included, so its other terms and conditions cannot be checked.
  • The materials do not estimate the City’s costs for energy, maintenance or repairs, so the net financial effect is unknown.

Case for#

  • City staff say the lease allows the theatre to continue activities that fit the City’s principles for the site, including opening it to the community.
  • The City had already rented the space to the theatre; this decision continues that occupancy.

Case against#

  • The rent is not the City’s net income: it must also provide energy and pay for maintenance and repairs, with no cost estimate in the materials.
  • Either party can end the lease with 30 days’ notice, so the full 24-month term is not guaranteed.