Plans are in motion to transform the iconic vacant building of The Bay in downtown Montreal into a museum and Indigenous cultural center. The retailer closed all its locations over the summer, leaving the historic building empty. James Bay Eeyou Corporation and JHD Immobilier have unveiled their proposal to purchase the building on Sainte-Catherine Street West.
The ambitious project aims to create a museum showcasing the fur trade history between the Cree Nation and the Hudson Bay Company, an Indigenous cultural center, experimental spaces, a hotel, and commercial establishments. This initiative signifies more than just a commercial transaction, with Henry Gull, President of the James Bay Eeyou Corporation, emphasizing the deep cultural significance and shared history represented by the building.
Established in 1986, the James Bay Eeyou Corporation has been dedicated to fostering economic opportunities for the Cree community for nearly four decades. Gull highlights that for the Cree Nation, this venture symbolizes a profound connection to their heritage and ancestors.
The proposed project comes with a price tag of $400 million and is slated for completion by 2029, aiming to honor and preserve the building’s rich heritage.
