Holt Renfrew Ogilvy Flagship

After acquiring the Ogilvy Department Store, Gensler was engaged by Holt Renfrew to design the facade of a major expansion of the historic building for the luxury retailer. Spanning the distance between the historic building and a new hotel and residential building to the north, the design team aligned the height of the new architectural volume with the existing parapet to create a consistent datum on Rue de la Montagne. Rectangular apertures in the new volume are proportional to the granite arches in the historic facade, creating a modern interpretation and ensuring visual consistency.

The unified presence on this street is extended through a decorative scrim, derived from an assortment of irregular triangles cut into the aluminum surface and folded outwards to create a textured surface. The new building knits together the historic building with the new development to the north, resulting in a unified urban block. A new entrance to the Montreal department store is located under a canopy, offering prime exposure for an anchor brand.