Montréal collective to create public building out of refurbished subway cars
by Andrew Manns | 26 Oct 2018
A team led by Canadian brothers and entrepreneurs Etienne and Frédéric Morin-Bordeleau have unveiled plans to create a multifunctional arts and events space from eight MR-63 subway cars.
The new three-storey structure, which has garnered the support of the Société de transport de Montréal (STM), will feature a cafe, microbrewery, restaurant, auditorium, and various gallery and exhibition spaces.
According to the project team, the venue is expected to "enrich the cultural knowledge of citizens and tourists interested in Montréal’s culture".
Rayside Labossière, which has been tapped to design the building, said it will be an "inhabited structure" and serve as an "eco-responsible café and a space dedicated to emerging artists".
The now disused MR-63 subway cars were first unveiled in the 1960s when the city's government launched its metro system ahead of the Expo 67 world fair.
The Bordeleau brothers’ proposal to upcycle the trains, which recently gained traction following a successful crowdfunding campaign, is set to be realised in 2020.
A prototype of the future project, an 'ephemeral space' named Station F-MR, debuted last summer.
montreal subway mr 63
The building is expected to be completed in 2020. Credit: Courtesy of the MR-63 Project
A team led by Canadian brothers and entrepreneurs Etienne and Frédéric Morin-Bordeleau have unveiled plans to create a multifunctional arts and events space from eight MR-63 subway cars. The new three-storey structure, which has garnered the support of the Société de transport de Montréal (STM), will feature a cafe, microbrewery, restaurant, auditorium, and various gallery and exhibition spaces. According to the project team, the venue is expected to "enrich the
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London Museum reveals 2026 opening date for new Smithfield home
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The London Museum’s new site will open in Smithfield, East London, on 28 November 2026. The new museum, designed by Asif Khan and Stanton Williams, alongside conservation architects Julian Harrap, will tell the story of London and its history, and will also act as a social space for residents and visitors. Items on permanent display will include the vest worn by King Charles I at his execution, Emmeline Pankhurst’s hunger
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by Liz Terry | 04 Jun 2026
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by Helen Andrews | 22 Jun 2026
Palazzo di Varignana, in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy, has created a new tailored health programme designed specifically for families. Families with young children can visit the 650-hectare estate, located near Bologna, to experience a retreat designed by the resort’s scientific director, Dr Annamaria Acquaviva. A dietitian and expert in mindfulness and longevity science, Acquaviva has created the programme to help children and teenagers build healthy and lasting habits.
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by Helen Andrews | 28 May 2026
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