City approves 24-month heritage site lease

Summary#

Montréal city council approved a 24-month lease, starting February 1, 2026, to Sibyllines, Pétrus and Création dans la chambre. The lease covers two rooms totalling 612 square feet at 251, avenue des Pins Ouest, in Cité-des-Hospitalières, for research-creation and theatre activities. The stated goal is to continue a temporary use of the heritage site.

  • The rent is $29,223.12, excluding sales taxes.
  • Either the City or the tenants may end the lease early with 30 days’ notice.
  • The City provides energy and pays for maintenance and repairs. The tenants pay property taxes and cleaning costs.
  • The three tenants are jointly responsible for the lease obligations.

What it means for you#

  • The tenants: Sibyllines, Pétrus and Création dans la chambre can continue using the rooms under the lease terms. Each is responsible for the lease obligations, including if another tenant fails to meet them.
  • The City: It receives rent and must provide energy and handle maintenance and repairs.
  • The public: The decision does not directly change public services, taxes or access to other parts of the site.

Money#

The City expects $29,223.12 in rent over 24 months, excluding sales taxes.

  • City staff’s figures show $33,599.28 in total rent and sales taxes combined.
  • The tenants pay property taxes and cleaning costs; the City pays for energy, maintenance and repairs. No cost estimate for the City’s responsibilities is provided.
  • City staff say the lease is exempt from the real-estate transaction tariff because it renews an existing occupancy.

What is unclear#

  • The materials do not estimate the City’s energy, maintenance or repair costs.
  • The lease terms beyond the responsibilities and 30-day termination notice are not detailed in the available material.

Case for#

  • City staff say the lease supports continued activity at Cité-des-Hospitalières that they consider consistent with the site’s heritage and community-use principles.
  • The tenants have occupied the rooms since 2022, and the decision allows that use to continue without a gap.

Case against#

  • The City’s net financial benefit is unclear because the materials give no estimate of its energy, maintenance and repair costs.
  • Either side can end the lease on 30 days’ notice, so the arrangement may not provide certainty for the full 24 months.