Submerged in the heart of downtown Montreal, Underground City is a cavernous network of office towers, hotels, shopping malls, university buildings, residential complexes, schools, performing arts venues and more. Multi-level passageways and staircases connect the buildings and offer much-needed relief during the harsh winter season.
In total, Underground City is made up of more than 32 kilometres of tunnels, covering a footprint of over 12 square kilometres. Exploring the city is a must, with plenty of opportunities to shop, dine, relax and play. To locals, Underground City is known simply as RÉSO. The nickname is derived from the French word “réseau” meaning network.
A feat of engineering, Underground City is fully integrated with Montreal’s subterranean metro system. Stations are dotted throughout, with McGill Metro stepping up as the busiest transport hub. There are more than 120 exterior access points, offering access to Montreal’s biggest sights and attractions. Needless to say, a map is a must.
The first interconnected passageways were built in 1962, with expansions commissioned in 1966 when the Montreal metro opened its doors. Urban planner Vincent Ponte was the man behind the vision, inspired by futurist architecture and a desire to help Montrealers escape the bitterly cold winter weather. Today, more than 500,000 people navigate their way through the Underground City on a daily basis.