1910’s Triplex Renovation, Montreal residence, Quebec house, Canadian architecture

Esplanade Residence in Montreal

Canadian Residential Development design by Emilie Bédard and Maria Rosa Di Ioia, Canada

post updated March 8, 2025

Design: Emilie Bédard and Maria Rosa Di Ioia

Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada

photos courtesy of architects office

14 Mar 2014

Esplanade Residence

The client had just bought this un-renovated 1910’s triplex and wanted to make the top floor his own. Inspired by his Scandinavian origins and the apartment’s characteristic Montreal construction, the architect and designer shaped the renovation using raw materials such as wood and steel, peeling away at the building’s envelope.

The original roof structure was preserved and exposed in the bedroom as well as the brick party walls in the living room and entrance stairs.

The wide plank fir floors, white walls and teak kitchen bring light and Scandinavian warmth to contrast with the raw steel used on the stairs and dining room table. Most of the furniture and built-ins were custom designed for the space, tying it all together.

At the center of the renovation, the roof extension acts as a light well into the space. The metal stairs and landing are kept light and transparent borrowing from the traditional exit stairs found in the alley. It houses a sauna with a window framing the church’s dome and connects to a roof terrace with views to the neighbourhood and mountain. The roof terrace was designed as a comfortable space both to lounge in after a sauna and cold exterior shower and to entertain with built-in flower boxes, bench and outdoor kitchen.

Esplanade Residence – Building Information

Project name: Esplanade Residence
Architect: Emilie Bédard Architecte
Designer: Maria Rosa Di Ioia
Location: Montreal (Mile-End neighbourhood), Quebec, Canada
Area: 1260 sq.ft. (rough area)