The design of the Saint-Pierre Passage is in keeping with in the further development of the pedestrian network of Montreal’s underground city, and is one of the peripheral projects connected with the development of the Quartier international de Montréal (QIM).

Located at the eastern end of the World Trade Centre Montreal (WTCM) atrium, the Passage provides access to the QIM underground network. This affords access, protected from the elements at all times, to the Convention Centre with its link to the subway station, the Caisse de dépôt government building, underground parking and Jean-Paul Riopelle Square.

In the unbuilt space of the former Fortifications Lane, between Saint-Pierre Street and the existing entrance to the CCMM, the Passage Saint-Pierre deploys its volume of steel and glass. From this space, bathed in natural light, one can discover at a glance the heritage Saint-James Hotel, the CCMM atrium and the InterContinental Hotel. The structure of the volume envelops the space of the Passage, and either leans delicately on its environment or detaches itself respectfully from it, thus preserving the architectural integrity of the whole. The design posed a major challenge due to the numerous physical, spatial and legal constraints associated with the site.