A legacy

The Château d’Ivoire jewelry store, a luxury icon since
1978, is internationally renowned for its product range
and custom jewelry design. Nestled in the heart of
the prestigious Mille Carré Doré commercial district in
Montréal and at the foot of Mount Royal, the jewelry
store occupied the basements of three connected
triplexes. Turning a new leaf in its legacy, Château
d’Ivoire approached Archi- to reinvent its retail space
in a way that would fully embody its reputation.

A return to timelessness

The new four-storey, 40,000 square foot building is a
tribute to the site’s history where a tripartite “ensemble”
once stood in 1865. This contemporary interpretation
draws its inspiration from the architectural language
of the original buildings, with a recessed fourth level,
invisible from the street, and a majestic double-height
entrance based original proportions. The solid and
void composition of the façade evokes a sense of
permanence and security of an institution, while the
local grey stone of minimal carbon footprint aims for
a return to timelessness, ensuring the longevity of the
structure. The generous forecourt, illuminated at night
by integrated ground lighting, generously welcomes
visitors to the storefront and inside.

With security being of utmost importance, the
architect’s developed envelope compositions specific
to each façade and their many varying conditions.
Multiple architectural and technological systems
were strategically put in place to maximize security,
including strictly controlled access points and
custom-made safes integrated into the building itself.

Light as a landmark

The central atrium is the point around which the entire
space revolves, a focal point bathing the store in
natural light. At the center is a monumental staircase,
a sculpture travelling from one level to the next,
accompanying the user from one floor to the next. Its
shape invites visitors up to the second floor, guides
them strategically to the service center and draws
them to an intriguing third floor. The vertical circulation
therefore becomes an architectural promenade, an
event, animating the entire atrium and its surrounding
spaces.

The ascent

The functions and activities of the store are laid out in
such a way to offer increased exclusivity as one moves
vertically up the four floors. The ground welcomes the
visitor and offers the most prestigious brands via a
series of shop-in-shops. On the second level, Château
d’Ivoire’s exclusive jewelry collection is put on display
in custom display cases of various sizes, followed
by a service center. The third level reveals an entirely
different world, including a café-lounge, meeting
spaces, administrative offices, and laboratories that
put on display the unique work of the jewelers. Finally,
on the fourth floor, a private reception area opens onto
a terrace and green roof, creating an exclusive escape
in the heart of the city.

The new Chateau d’Ivoire is the result of a close
collaboration between client and architect during every
phase of the project, from the definition of needs to the
construction of the building, from the interior design
down to the smallest details of the. custom furniture
and displays. The result is a space that goes beyond
traditional retail. It becomes a destination and offers a
unique experience where visitors prolong their stay and
where staff benefit from a stimulating and comfortable
working environment.