Apple is quietly preparing a major shift in its Montréal retail presence, as reports indicate that the company will move its downtown store into a restored 125-year-old heritage building. The change marks one of Apple’s most significant retail upgrades in Canada in recent years.
A New Chapter on a Historic Street
According to La Presse, Apple will relocate from its current Sainte-Catherine Street storefront to 1255 Saint-Catherine Street, a building that has stood for over a century at the heart of Montréal’s Ville-Marie district. The new space sits less than 100 meters from the existing store, but the move reflects a major step toward modernizing Apple’s retail experience in the city.
The heritage building, shown on page 2 of the document as a three-story stone façade with large windows, has been empty since clothing retailer Ardene left. Apple’s contractors are already carrying out extensive renovations, giving the historic structure a fresh purpose after several years of vacancy.
Long-Planned Relocation Gains Momentum
Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman previously noted that Apple was considering a relocation last year, with an initial target opening date of February 2025. While the timeline may shift, the project appears to be advancing quickly. La Presse also reported that Apple has already listed its current Montréal location as available for lease, signaling the transition is well underway.
Apple has not issued a public statement on the relocation and did not respond to inquiries regarding the project. The existing Sainte-Catherine store, which opened in 2008, is scheduled to close for one day on April 23 for unspecified reasons.
A First for Apple in Canada
If the move proceeds as expected, the upcoming location will become Apple’s first Canadian store housed in a historic building. Most of the company’s Canadian stores operate within indoor malls, including the recently upgraded Square One location in Mississauga, Ontario. The Montréal project suggests Apple is expanding its architectural approach in the country, blending modern retail design with heritage-rich settings.
