Montreal’s Chinatown, threatened by development, to be granted heritage status
MONTREAL — The Quebec government is granting heritage status to the core of Montreal’s Chinatown district to protect its historic buildings from redevelopment.
Culture Minister Nathalie Roy made the announcement today alongside Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante and other municipal and provincial officials.
Roy says the designation requires owners to preserve the historic character of their buildings in Chinatown and to be granted approval from the Culture Department before they can make significant changes.
The province is also giving special protection status to two of Chinatown’s most “emblematic” buildings, including a former school building from 1826 that now hosts a noodle manufacturer.