It’s lunch break time and this summer, Le Renoir transforms into a true oasis in the heart of the city. To mark the reopening, the terrace has been enlarged, unveiling a new city garden adorned with lush flowers and plants, colorful umbrellas and cozy sofas, all under a new shimmering pergola.
The hotel, formerly the Van Horne Mansion, was bought in the 1970s by a businessman to make it an office building, Montreal’s heritage defenders protested, but in vain…The venerable Victorian building, which belonged to William Cornelius Van Horne (North American railroad pioneer) is razed to make way for a twenty-storey tower. It was only a few years later that this office building was transformed into a hotel. Some original elements from the Van Horne house, such as the fireplace or the chandelier (which had been kept) are integrated to the decoration of the hotel and are now visible in the lobby.
