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CF Complexe Desjardins is a mixed-use complex in downtown Montreal, Quebec, encompassing about 1 million square feet of gross leasable retail area, alongside office, hotel, and entertainment facilities. Established in 1975 and owned by the Desjardins Group, it directly connects to the Place-des-Arts metro station, facilitating access for over 10,000 office workers and cultural event attendees. The retail section hosts more than 100 stores, with key anchors such as IGA grocery, Simons department store, and Cineplex IMAX cinema, plus various restaurants and La Grande-Place event space.
Tenant mix distribution: 40% fashion and accessories, 30% food and beverage, 15% services, 15% entertainment. In 2025, occupancy rate is 92%, supported by annual footfall of 12-15 million visitors, average dwell time of 90 minutes, and robust conversion for food and entertainment categories. Demographics feature urban professionals aged 25-44 in a 5 km radius population of 800,000, median household income above CAD 70,000, and 1.5% annual growth.
Base rent levels range CAD 50-90 per square foot, with additional 15-20% for CAM fees and percentage rents; leases typically 5-10 years.
Accessibility includes direct metro linkage and 1,046 parking spaces.
Operational quality is high with comprehensive security and marketing events, though aging infrastructure exists outside renovated areas.
Market position leverages pedestrian and tourism traffic but contends with fashion category saturation and nearby competitors like Place Montreal Trust.
Leasing advantages encompass captive office clientele and experiential retail potential, offset by renovation disruptions through 2026 and e-commerce vulnerabilities.
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Hours of Operation
Hours
| Monday | 10:00 AM — 06:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:00 AM — 06:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM — 06:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM — 09:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM — 09:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM — 05:00 PM |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM — 05:00 PM |
Hours may vary on public holidays. Check with individual stores for specific holiday schedules.
Insights
Demographics and Footfall
The primary catchment area within 5 km includes 800,000 residents with 1.5% annual growth, median age of 41, and average household size of 2.2 persons. Key demographics comprise urban professionals aged 25-44 from adjacent offices, university students from Universite de Quebec a Montreal, and cultural tourists via Place des Arts. Median household income exceeds CAD 70,000, supporting mid-to-upper tier retail, with annual consumer spending at CAD 11,500 per household. Unemployment stands at 6.7%. Footfall reaches 12-15 million annually, averaging 666,667 monthly visitors, driven by metro connectivity and events, though seasonal winter dips occur. Dwell time averages 90 minutes, enhancing cross-shopping opportunities.
Competition and Risks
Intense competition arises from proximate downtown venues like Place Montreal Trust, Les Cours Mont-Royal, and CF Carrefour Laval, plus emerging mixed-use projects, saturating fashion and dining segments and necessitating niche tenant strategies. E-commerce trends heighten risks for apparel-heavy mix (40%), contributing to occasional vacancies. Ongoing renovations from spring 2025 to fall 2026 may disrupt operations and leasing stability. Additional risks include urban inflation-linked rent escalations and reliance on transit users, potentially curbing suburban drive-in traffic. Overall, market saturation and category weaknesses challenge non-differentiated retailers.
Lease Terms and Operational Quality
Base rents of CAD 50-90 per square foot apply in prime locations, supplemented by sales-based percentage rents and CAM fees adding 15-20% to expenses. Lease durations range 5-10 years, with fixturing allowances for larger spaces and turnover clauses. High entry barriers deter independents. Operational aspects feature high-quality security, frequent promotional events, and flexible pop-up options via La Grande-Place. Integrated parking for 1,046 vehicles supports access, rated excellent qualitatively. However, non-renovated aging infrastructure poses minor maintenance risks, while 92% occupancy reflects resilient demand amid post-pandemic recovery.
Building Details
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Montreal, QC
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City Snapshot
Montreal, QC
Comprehensive market intelligence for retail expansion in this city
