# La légendaire rue Sainte-Catherine Partie 2.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j99ApV7eIYo
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/j99ApV7eIYo
Generated: 2025-09-07T14:05:06.636+00:00

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## Quick Overview

This documentary-style video explores the history and evolution of the most bustling segment of Montreal's Rue Sainte-Catherine, detailing the transformation of key landmarks like the TNM Theatre, Place des Arts, Complexe Desjardins, the Spectrum, the Parisian Cinema, Square Philips, the Palace Theatre, and the Eaton's department store, highlighting their cultural, architectural, and commercial significance.

**Key Points:**
- The segment of Rue Sainte-Catherine discussed is referred to as "the Broadway of Montreal," featuring major department stores and downtown performance venues.
- The TNM Theatre, originally the GTI, has a history of burlesque, including performances by Lili St. Cyr, before becoming the TNM in 1972 and undergoing renovations in 1997 and 2019.
- Place des Arts, the heart of the Quartier des Spectacles, was built on a site that previously housed the Institut Nazareth, an orphanage, Robert Roussil's studio (also named Place des Arts), and the original École Le Plateau, whose relocation is linked to the toponym "Plateau Mont-Royal."
- The Complexe Desjardins, a 3.5 million sq ft complex of offices, retail, and hotel space, was built in the 1970s on a large block that included streets like rue Benoît and rue Saint-George, displacing residents and businesses.
- The Spectrum, a legendary venue for jazz and Francofolie festivals, operated from 1982 until 2008, hosting a diverse range of artists and also serving as a TV studio before being demolished for the Mastria complex.
- The Palace Theatre, originally the Allen Theater (1921), was Montreal's first talking picture cinema in 1928 and later became the Palace 6, eventually closing in 2000 after a failed indoor amusement park concept called Metaphoria.
- Eaton's department store, a major retail force founded in Montreal in 1925, dominated the market with 60% share in 1930 and was known for its catalogue sales before its bankruptcy in 1999, with its location now part of the Centre Eaton.

**Context:** This video focuses on the historical development of a prominent section of Rue Sainte-Catherine in Montreal, often called 'the Broadway of Montreal.' The narrative traces the evolution of significant cultural and commercial landmarks, including theaters, public spaces, and retail centers, highlighting their architectural changes and their roles in the city's urban and social fabric.

## Detailed Analysis

This second part of a series on Rue Sainte-Catherine delves into its most bustling segment, dubbed 'the Broadway of Montreal.' It begins with the TNM Theatre, detailing its origins as the GTI in 1912, its history with burlesque featuring stars like Lili St. Cyr, its transformation into the TNM in 1972 under Laurinne Pintal, and subsequent renovations in 1997 and 2019. The narrative then moves to Place des Arts, situated on the Esplanade, emphasizing its role as the heart of the Quartier des Spectacles. The site's prior history is revealed, including the Institut Nazareth, an orphanage, Robert Roussil's studio named 'Place des Arts,' and the École Le Plateau, whose relocation is linked to the naming of the Plateau Mont-Royal borough. The construction of Place des Arts itself began in 1954, facing controversy over its international focus, and has since been expanded multiple times. The Complexe Desjardins is then discussed, a massive 1970s development that replaced an entire city block, including streets like rue Benoît and rue Saint-George. The video highlights its use as a filming location for various TV shows and movies, including a scene in 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.' The Place des Festivals is introduced as a modern performance space, evolving from a 1970s development plan that never materialized into the current venue. The former Spectrum music venue, a crucial site for festivals like the Montreal International Jazz Festival and Francos, is remembered from its 1982 opening until its 2008 demolition for the Mastria complex. The Parisian Cinema, originally the Princess Theatre with 2000 seats, is noted for its unique construction with a narrow Sainte-Catherine entrance and a large rear auditorium, and for showing primarily French films. Square Philips is examined, starting as a residential area in 1842 that became a chic park before the arrival of businesses like Morgan's department store in 1891, signaling the street's commercial future. The Square has seen continuous development, including the 1949 construction of 1255 Square Philips, the 1987 elevation of Christ Church Cathedral for a shopping center, and the 2022 completion of the 1 Square Philips residential tower. Finally, the Palace Theatre, a grand cinema that opened in 1921 and became Montreal's first talking picture cinema in 1928, is detailed. It later became the Palace 6, and after a brief stint as a failed indoor amusement park called Metaphoria, its space now houses offices and a gym, with the entrance on Sainte-Catherine becoming restaurants. The video concludes by mentioning the historical Eaton's department store, a significant retail presence from 1925 known for its catalogue sales, which went bankrupt in 1999, with its former location now part of the Centre Eaton.

### Landmarks Discussed

- TNM Theatre (GTI)
- Place des Arts
- Complexe Desjardins
- Place des Festivals
- Spectrum
- Parisian Cinema
- Square Philips
- Palace Theatre
- Eaton's Department Store

### Historical Transformations

- TNM's evolution from burlesque to modern theatre
- Place des Arts' development on former Institut Nazareth site
- Complexe Desjardins replacing city blocks
- Spectrum's legacy as a music venue
- Parisian Cinema's shift from movie palace to multi-screen
- Square Philips' transition from residential to commercial hub
- Palace Theatre's history as a cinema and first talking picture venue
- Eaton's decline and bankruptcy

### Key Dates and Events

- 1912 - GTI Theatre construction
- 1957-1972 - Comédie Canadienne at TNM site
- 1972 - TNM takes over
- 1950 - Institut Nazareth and orphanage on Place des Arts site
- 1963 - Place des Arts inauguration
- 1972 - Complexe Desjardins begins construction
- 1982 - Spectrum opens
- 1917 - Princess Cinema (later Parisian) built
- 1891 - Morgan's moves to Rue Sainte-Catherine
- 1921 - Allen Theater (later Palace) built
- 1925 - Eaton's opens in Montreal
- 1942 - Square Philips construction
- 1987 - Christ Church Cathedral elevated

### Cultural Significance

- Burlesque at GTI/TNM featuring Lili St. Cyr
- Place des Arts as cultural heart of Quartier des Spectacles
- Spectrum's role in Jazz Festival and Francos
- Parisian Cinema as a hub for French films
- Palace Theatre as first talking picture cinema in Canada
- Eaton's catalogue sales impacting regional shoppers

### Architectural and Urban Development

- TNM's renovations in 1997 and 2019
- Place des Arts' expansion in 1966, 1976, 1992, 2011
- Complexe Desjardins' massive scale
- Square Philips' 1255 building and 1 Square Philips tower
- Palace Theatre's unique entrance/auditorium structure
- Eaton's growth to 9 floors and its Art Deco restaurant