Apple has officially reopened its Sainte-Catherine retail store in downtown Montreal, unveiling a significantly larger space inside a restored historic building.
The new location more than doubles the footprint of Apple’s previous store, marking a notable expansion of its physical retail presence in the city.
A Larger Store With Historic Roots
The new Apple Sainte-Catherine is housed in a revived heritage structure, with Apple preserving much of the building’s original architecture while adapting it to its modern retail design. The exterior façade was restored using local stone and copperwork, maintaining the building’s historic character while blending into the surrounding downtown area.
This approach mirrors Apple’s recent retail projects, where the company favors renovation over replacement when working with landmark buildings.
Accessibility Upgrades Throughout the Space
Apple says accessibility was a key focus of the redesign. The store features:
- Wider walkways for wheelchair access
- Tables and seating at varied heights
- More open layouts for easier navigation
These changes align with Apple’s broader effort to make its retail spaces more inclusive and functional for a wider range of customers.
A Nod to Montreal’s Creative Community
To celebrate the reopening, Apple partnered with Montreal-based illustrator Catherine Potvin, who hosted live iPad art sessions in the store. Customers received custom illustrations created directly on Apple retail bags. Apple confirmed Potvin will return for additional sessions later this week.
Earlier, Apple had also dropped some exclusive wallpapers to tie in with the stores relocation.
Apple Doubles Down on Physical Retail
Apple first opened on Sainte-Catherine Street nearly 20 years ago. By expanding into a larger, restored space rather than moving elsewhere, Apple is signaling continued confidence in physical retail and its role as a community-focused experience, not just a sales floor.
The reopened Apple Sainte-Catherine is now open to the public.
