Identity Signage

Objectives

New Signage to Weave
the District Together

Mission

District Central is now home to a unique family of wayfinding tools, designed to guide, inform, and commemorate. Each installation acts as a visual landmark within the urban landscape, featuring a "brick red" finish carefully selected to harmonize with the area’s built environment.

The design of these elements subtly evokes District Central’s manufacturing heritage through its raw materiality—concrete and aluminum—while maintaining a contemporary refinement. This approach reflects the neighborhood’s commitment to establishing itself as a resilient, active, and sustainable business district.

Orient

In addition to identifying District Central, directional panels help workers, residents, and visitors find their way through the neighborhood. Arrows point toward key landmarks such as Esplanade Louvain, Chabanel Station, or Place Iona-Monahan, including walking times to encourage active mobility.

Inform

Freestanding signs were designed to share relevant information with passersby. They identify new public spaces and communicate the unique characteristics of the plant species used in the landscaping, reinforcing the educational and ecological goals of our Signature Intervention Plan.

Commemorate

Historical plaques are placed throughout the district to bring the neighborhood's memory to life. They feature archival photos and testimonials from the district’s proud builders, including business owners and iconic institutions like Café Gentile. These nods to District Central’s collective history strengthen the sense of belonging to the territory.

Gallery

Historical panel - Café Gentile
Directional panels
Historical panel - emply lot at 50-150 de Louvain W.
Historical panel - Cansew
Historical panel - Cansew
Sign - Ruelle l'Oasis
Interpretive sign

Our partners

An initiative of

Financial partners

SDC District Central

With the financial participation of

Fonds signature Métropole, a grant from the Ministère des Affaires municipales et de l’Habitation du Québec (MAMH)

Designers

RICOSTUDIO et MAUBAU

Research partners

PASSERELLE coopérative en patrimoine et La Société d’histoire d’Ahuntsic-Cartierville

Manufactured by

Visual Home

Location

A series of historical panels installed in front of Café Gentile, Cansew, Barista, and 555 Chabanel. Phased rollout: initial installations in 2025, with additional panels planned for 2026.