Montreal-South (French: Montréal-Sud) was a suburb of Montreal located on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River founded in 1906.[1] Montreal-South was created from land of the Saint-Antoine-de-Longueuil parish. Originally a village in its first five years, Montreal-South gained the status of city in 1911.
Early in its existence, its population was split between French-speaking Roman Catholics and English-speaking Protestants. This changed by the middle of the century, as the Francophones became the overwhelming majority.[2]
The approximate territorial limits of the city were La Fayette Boulevard in the west, Bertrand Street in the south, Joliette Street in the east and St. Lawrence River in the north.[1] The city hall of Montreal-South was located on 600 Préfontaine avenue.[3]
Like neighbouring Longueuil, Montreal-South was an enclave of the much larger Ville Jacques-Cartier.[1]
On January 28, 1961, Montreal-South merged with the city of Longueuil, keeping the latter's name.[1]After Montreal-South was dissolved, its former territory underwent a major urban development that began in the 1960s and continues to this day.
Place Charles-Le Moyne, Longueuil's primary transit hub and business center, is in the former territory of Montreal-South. Place Charles-Le Moyne is surrounded by major highways, Autoroute 20/Route 132 near the river in the north, the entrance ramp of Jacques-Cartier Bridge to the west, and Taschereau Boulevard to the south and east.
It is the location of the Longueuil bus terminus and Longueuil-Université-de-Sherbrooke metro station, the busiest of the Montreal Metro during rush hour and the terminus of the Yellow line.[4]
Longueuil's skycrapers are located in this area, including the 30-story residential tower Port de Mer 1 which has been the tallest building in the city since 1972 (though it is in the process of being surpassed by another high-rise currently under construction).[5][6]
There is also a hotel on de Sérigny street. Since 1972, the hotel has carried the banners Holiday Inn, Ramada, Radisson and now Sandman.
Université de Sherbrooke constructed a campus in the area, including a 16-story tower in 2010.[5]
The city of Longueuil announced in 2017 that it is seeking $3 billion to invest in the area.[4] The project is to turn the entire area into a new downtown by 2035.[4] The plan includes multiple new residential and office buildings, creating direct access to the nearby Saint Lawrence River for recreational use, and improved cycling and pedestrian access.[4]
Also located within the former municipal boundaries of Montreal-South is Place Longueuil, a shopping centre located 500 metres (500 yards) north-east of Place Charles-Le Moyne.
Place Longueuil was the first shopping mall in Longueuil and is now the largest indoor shopping centre within city limits. Place Longueuil lies between Place Charles-Le Moyne and rue St-Charles, the commercial street in Old Longueuil.
Montreal-South merged with Longueuil on January 28, 1961.
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