Press release
2006-10-26
SITQ unveils a commemorative plaque honouring Vincent Ponte, one of the visionaries behind Place Ville Marieand Montreal’s underground city
Montreal, October 26, 2006 - SITQ and Henry N. Cobb, the architect of Place Ville Marie and founding partner of Pei Cobb Freed & Partners Architects LLP, today unveiled a commemorative plaque honouring late city planner Vincent Ponte, in the presence of a number of distinguished guests. Located at the esplanade lookout of Place Ville Marie, the plaque pays homage to Mr. Ponte’s significant contributions to the development of Montreal’s downtown core.
“We were quick to embrace this tribute to Mr. Ponte, a man whose vision helped shape the city of Montreal,” said Carole Arbour, SITQ Senior Property Manager in charge of Place Ville Marie.
Mr. Ponte was a prominent city planner who helped design Place Ville Marie by devising the master plan for the development project. His proposal for a new “city within a city” led to the emergence of Montreal’s network of subterranean walkways. The underground city today consists of some 30 kilometres of pedestrian walkways connecting many of the buildings in the downtown core.
“Vincent Ponte’s legacy is one of passion and commitment. He made a lasting mark on the business district of downtown Montreal,” said Mr. Cobb. “His innovative way of striking a balance between pedestrians, automobile traffic and public transit is a distinguishing feature of all of his work.”
Mr. Ponte passed away on February 9, 2006, at the age of 86.
About SITQ
Founded in 1984, SITQ is a real estate investment, management and development firm composed of six financial institutions and pension funds. Its principal shareholder, the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, is Canada’s leading fund manager, with net assets of 122.2 billion dollars Canadian.
A leader in the Canadian real estate industry, SITQ owns assets of 7.1 billion dollars Canadian consisting of 112 properties (29 million square feet) located in Canada, the United States, France, the United Kingdom and Germany.
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Information:
Jacques-André Chartrand, Director Communications and Public Affairs
SITQ
(514) 847-4180
jacques-andre.chartrand@sitq.com
www.sitq.com
Amélie Plante, Senior Advisor
Communications and Public Affairs
SITQ
(514) 847-4164
amelie.plante@sitq.com
www.sitq.com
“We were quick to embrace this tribute to Mr. Ponte, a man whose vision helped shape the city of Montreal,” said Carole Arbour, SITQ Senior Property Manager in charge of Place Ville Marie.
Mr. Ponte was a prominent city planner who helped design Place Ville Marie by devising the master plan for the development project. His proposal for a new “city within a city” led to the emergence of Montreal’s network of subterranean walkways. The underground city today consists of some 30 kilometres of pedestrian walkways connecting many of the buildings in the downtown core.
“Vincent Ponte’s legacy is one of passion and commitment. He made a lasting mark on the business district of downtown Montreal,” said Mr. Cobb. “His innovative way of striking a balance between pedestrians, automobile traffic and public transit is a distinguishing feature of all of his work.”
Mr. Ponte passed away on February 9, 2006, at the age of 86.
About SITQ
Founded in 1984, SITQ is a real estate investment, management and development firm composed of six financial institutions and pension funds. Its principal shareholder, the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, is Canada’s leading fund manager, with net assets of 122.2 billion dollars Canadian.
A leader in the Canadian real estate industry, SITQ owns assets of 7.1 billion dollars Canadian consisting of 112 properties (29 million square feet) located in Canada, the United States, France, the United Kingdom and Germany.
- 30 -
Information:
Jacques-André Chartrand, Director Communications and Public Affairs
SITQ
(514) 847-4180
jacques-andre.chartrand@sitq.com
www.sitq.com
Amélie Plante, Senior Advisor
Communications and Public Affairs
SITQ
(514) 847-4164
amelie.plante@sitq.com
www.sitq.com
