Live in Griffintown

If you want to live close to the action of downtown yet still enjoy the relaxing benefits of living near a body of water within walking distance of your loft, then Griffintown is the neighbourhood for you.

At the water’s edge and just 10 minutes from downtown

Bordered by the Lachine Canal to the south, by Notre-Dame Street to the north, by Robert-Bourassa Boulevard and the Bonaventure Expressway to the east, and Georges-Vanier Boulevard to the west, this borough in the southwest part of town – the Sud-Ouest as locals call it – really has it all.  

Explore ↗

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For the past 25 years, this former industrial area has undergone intense revitalization, attracting many real estate developers and new residents. And we can understand why. Who doesn’t dream of sipping a cocktail in their rooftop swimming pool while watching the sun set behind a gorgeous city skyline?

Credit : Lux Image

Welcome to Mary and Robert Griffin’s land

Established on farmlands called “the fief of Nazareth”, which belonged to the Religieuses hospitalières de Saint-Joseph, the land then went to Thomas McCord until 1796. But this historic district owes its name to Mary and Robert Griffin. Owners of the only Griffintown home at the start of the 19th century, the couple quickly divided their land into building lots and laid out King, Queen, Prince and Nazareth streets, which today crisscross the Cité du Multimédia.

The digging of the Lachine Canal from 1821 to 1825 marked the beginning of the industrialization of Montréal and the massive arrival of Irish workers, who quickly populated the area. Railway lines constructed alongside the Canal added rail traffic to this busy hub, boosted by the opening of the Victoria Bridge in 1860, the first bridge to cross the St. Lawrence River. Industrial activity continued until the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway in 1959, which ended the canal's economic heyday. Griffintown’s population began to disperse and the area fell into obscurity.

An urban landscape shaped by history

As you stroll through the streets near the canal, you’ll notice architectural remnants of Griffintown’s built heritage. Many former industrial buildings have been restored in recent years and given a second life. The former Dow Brewery, located at the corner of Peel and Notre-Dame, is now part of the ÉTS university campus. The New City Gas plant, built in 1860 at the corner of Dalhousie and Ottawa, has been transformed into a multifunctional event venue. And the former Wellington Control Tower has become a cultural incubator. If you’re passionate about history, you’ll make some great discoveries as you explore the neighborhood.

In Griffintown, history and modernity live side by side, giving the area its distinctive character. Numerous contemporary condominium buildings with large windows have sprung up alongside repurposed historic structures. These symbols of a new urban lifestyle often include shops, common areas with spas and pools, and green spaces.

Credit : Lux Image

To enhance the quality of life in this fast-changing neighborhood, the City of Montreal is carrying out a major urban planning project launched in 2013. The ongoing work includes upgrading underground infrastructure, burying overhead cables, and creating new green spaces. Little by little, the project is shaping a more pleasant and sustainable environment for Griffintown residents.

Who will your neighbours be?

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The Griffintown  attracts an active, educated, affluent and cosmopolitan population, of which 76.6% speak French and English and 37% come from an immigrant background. According to the Environics Analytics in 2014, there are some 10 764 people, three-quarters of whom are between 25 and 44 years old and more than half of whom live alone. Couples with children and single-parent families are in the minority (34%), with households without children making up two-thirds of families in the neighbourhood.

Residents of Griffintown are generally more educated than their neighbours in other areas of the Sud-Ouest borough (77% have a university degree compared to 39%). Over 40% of them work in business, finance, administration or management. In general, households have an average income that is significantly higher than that of households in the rest of the borough.

Things to do in Griffintown

Start by discovering the historic park on the banks of the Lachine Canal, between the Old Port and Lake Saint-Louis. Families, picnickers, sport and outdoor enthusiasts love to meet in this green island in the heart of the city. In summer, you can navigate the canal by canoe, kayak or pedal boat (docking at the Canal Lounge floating café for a snack), take a guided tour aboard the Petit Navire or cast a rod and see if the fish are biting! You can also walk or cycle the 13.5 km trail that runs along the canal, one of the most beautiful circuits in Montréal. In winter, the groomed and partly snow-cleared trail is perfect for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and snow biking.

Photo credit: The official Petit Navire website

If art is more your thing or you’re just curious about local culture, head over to the Montreal Art Centre, a non-profit community organization that has been supporting local artists since 2010. Located in the historic building at 1844 William Street, it houses more than 50 open and private studios where hundreds of member artists work. You’ll find exhibitions, live music performances, talks, and a variety of cultural events all designed to celebrate and promote local creativity. 

Then continue on to the Arsenal contemporary art centre on still located on William Street to discover Canadian and international artists, and visit the Blouin Division art gallery. You’ll feel like you’re Chelsea, New York, in this huge building of the former Marine Works Canada shipyard, converted into an art centre in 2011. Just steps away, Ottawa Street has become a vibrant cultural corridor. Four new green spaces Place des Arrimeurs, Parc des Eaux-Cachées, Place William-Dow, and Place Mary-Griffin showcase original public artworks, forming an open-air art walk. This unique promenade combines contemporary art with natural surroundings, inviting people to discover and unwind in the heart of Griffintown.

Credit Photo : Mano Cornuto by Tyler

And what outing would be complete without a delicious meal in a neighbourhood restaurant? You are spoiled for choice: the Grinder, Mauvais Garçons, Le Boucan, Bird Bar restaurants are a must if you’re into comfort food and lively evenings. If you just fancy sipping an espresso or cappuccino, opt for Mano Cornuto or Café Lali; for sumptuous dishes cooked in a wood-fired oven, try Foxy; for refined and contemporary Italian dishes, choose Le Richmond; or grab a pint on tap and pull up a chair to watch a game on the big screen at the Lord William pub. Once famous for its antique shops, Griffintown is now a favourite destination for foodies.

The real estate market in Griffintown

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Griffintown has long been popular with affluent professionals working downtown as well as temporary residents, including international workers and students. Today, despite the rise in remote work, demand in the area remains strong. Modern condos, studios, and lofts are still highly sought after, and prices continue to rise.
The rental inventory remains limited, keeping pressure on the rental market. Griffintown continues to attract people thanks to its strategic location, urban lifestyle, and modern infrastructure.
If you’re thinking of settling in this dynamic neighbourhood—whether to rent or invest—expect a competitive market… but one that matches the quality of life it offers.

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Local services

Main Shops and Services

• On Peel Street: Adonis, SAQ, La Bête à pain bakery, Winners, MUST, Scotiabank, and National Bank.
• On Wellington Street: post office, Pharmaprix, West Elm, and RBC Royal Bank.
• On Ottawa Street:  Avril health food store.
• On de la Montagne Street: L’Amour du pain bakery.
• On Notre-Dame Street: Proxim and Jean Coutu pharmacies, Grinder butcher shop, Métro Plus grocery store, Petro-Canada gas station, Maniac hair salon, The Ten Spot beauty bar, and Maman Montréal bakery.
• On Guy Street: Miss Griffintown, and MANA Coiffure.
• A bit further west: Atwater Market, RONA hardware store, Patrice Pâtissier, and Mamie Clafoutis.

Within walking distance or accessible by public transit

Griffintown is a neighborhood where walking is a natural and preferred mode of transportation. Whether it’s for running errands, visiting a café, or going to the park, everything is nearby, making it easy to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.

In addition to the bus network, there are five metro stations and two train stations in the area: Lionel-Groulx, Georges-Vanier, Lucien-L’Allier, Bonaventure, and Square Victoria-OACI metro stations; Centrale and Lucien-L’Allier train stations.

The new REM station, Griffintown–Bernard-Landry, expected to open in 2027, will providing a fast connection to downtown, the South Shore, the airport and the suburbs. In the meantime, access to the REM is available via Gare Centrale station, located nearby.

Highways and Bridges

Easy access to the Bonaventure Highway (and Highway 10), the Ville-Marie Expressway, and Highways 15 and 20. Also nearby are the Victoria Bridge, Champlain Bridge, and Concorde Bridge.

Educational Institutions and Sports Center

• Petite-Bourgogne Primary School ↗
• University campus of the École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS) ↗
• Petite-Bourgogne Sports Center (indoor swimming pool) ↗

Daycares and Early Childhood Centers (CPE)

• Bonaventure Daycare ↗
• Griffin Daycare ↗ 
• Les Étoiles Griffintown Daycare ↗ 
• Jardin William Daycare ↗ 
• Technoflos Early Childhood Center (CPE) ↗

Other nearby services

• Georges-Vanier library  ↗
• CHUM ↗
• Montreal courthouse ↗
• Marie-Reine-du-Monde Cathedral ↗
• Saint Patrick’s Basilica ↗

Griffintown

Last update : February 2026