Motorists driving along the Jacques-Cartier Bridge will certainly have noticed an impressive-looking white building sitting underneath the off-ramp leading to Ile Ste. Hélène.
Its most noticeable feature to drivers are its four turrets which rise above the span as they drive over the island.
The building was built at the same time the bridge opened in 1930, and its builders had big plans for it — one room was supposed to be a ballroom, another floor was to be used as an exhibition hall. There was even talk of housing a casino there.
Only one exhibition was ever presesnted there, and that was back in 1934. None of the other plans ever panned out, likely because of the Depression and the Second World War.
During the war, the building was used as a storage facility for the army, and after the war, it had been used as a storage facility for bridge maintenance workers.
But now, the bridge authority wants to make the four-story art deco structure come alive again.
A spokesperson told the Journal de Montréal that they'd like to get moving as soon as possible, but first, they'd have to figure out whether doing anything with the building is feasible.
Before anything happens, the building would have to be soundproofed, to offset the constant noise and vibrations caused by the traffic overhead.
The building would also have to be outfitted with modern ventilation, electrical and sprinkler systems.