Site tour of Ritz-Carlton Montreal - WALLS OF THE LEGENDARY BUILDING OPENED
UP DRAMATICALLY

"Respecting the original architectural plan, we will open up the west and south walls, which will flood the residences with sunlight and give them a unique view of Montreal." Claude Provencher, architect

"We will build new rooms that will comply with the world's highest standards for luxury hotels today," Andrew Torriani,CEO

MONTREAL, Sept. 23 /CNW Telbec/ - Work is progressing at the Ritz-Carlton Montreal as the south and west exterior walls are about to be opened up. This major operation will make it possible to create indoor areas that let in an abundance of light and afford spectacular views of the river, the mountain and the west end of the city. Teams will also complete preparations for the installation of the elegant glass structure that will top the legendary building.

A tour of the site, led by the architect who is responsible for the project, Claude Provencher of Provencher Roy, gave an appreciation of the scope and progress in the transformation of the building, now that all the storeys have been stripped clean inside. "The work currently under way is a major step, as we can now visualize the views and the amount of light in the residences under construction," said Mr. Provencher. 

"The rooms were originally just going to be renovated but we have stripped them down to the shell. Everything was removed: interior walls, wiring, plumbing, kitchens. We will build new rooms that will comply with the world's highest standards for luxury hotels today," explained CEO Andrew Torriani.

The transformation of the Ritz-Carlton Montréal will continue outside the building, as the south and west walls are opened up along their full height. A new concrete and steel structure will then be erected and subsequently covered in glass. Work on the interior will begin at the same time. The hotel should reopen in the fall of 2011.

In spite of this major transformation, the building's façade has been preserved in its entirety, as have the lobby, the Palm Court and the Oval Room.The Ritz Garden will get a facelift and will again become Montrealers' favourite oasis.

Brisk sales
Sales of the residences at the Ritz-Carlton Montreal are going well. "We've had a great deal of interest and are very satisfied with the number of completed transactions. The comments we are hearing on the interior design we are highly positive," added Mr. Torriani 

About the Ritz-Carlton Montréal

Inaugurated in 1912, the Ritz-Carlton Montréal is located in the heart of the Golden Square Mile, home to Montreal's business elite in the early twentieth century. A symbol of refinement and elegance, the hotel has welcomed some of the world's most famous heads of state, artists and business people. Many of the twentieth century's leading figures stayed at the hotel, including Queen Elizabeth II, Sir Winston Churchill, Charles de Gaulle, Richard Nixon, Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Brian Mulroney, George Bush Sr., the Rolling Stones and Celine Dion, as well as Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, who celebrated their first marriage there.

Once the transformation is complete, the Ritz-Carlton Montreal will have 130 rooms and luxury 46 residences.

Attachment:	PHOTOS and caption to follow in the early afternoon
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For further information:

Roch Landriault
514-843-2345
Cell: 514-249-4535
[email protected]