Outremont borough
REALTA, the Outremont real estate agency, is proud to introduce you to this charming borough of Montreal, which is also home to our head office. Whether you’re looking to buy a house or rent an apartment, Outremont is a preferred choice for many. It offers a serene living environment in the heart of the metropolis, where daily life seems to flow more smoothly than elsewhere. The residences are well-maintained, with neatly trimmed lawns and beautifully laid-out flower gardens. The warm, family atmosphere can be felt in every aspect of local life, whether social, cultural or economic, around every corner. We look forward to welcoming you!
Outremont : The village in the city
It’s the smallest of Montreal’s 19 boroughs, with an area of less than 4 km², and one of the least populated, with around 25,000 inhabitants, ranking 18th among Montreal’s boroughs. In the 1940s, this enclave was considered the most prestigious residential area on the island of Montreal, alongside Westmount.
Today, it still retains its aura of luxury, being one of the boroughs where most goods and services are more expensive than in the rest of Montreal. Even the average family income is among the highest in Montreal, at $165,823! On the other hand, if you’ve owned a single-family home for some time, you’ve probably been able to take advantage of this trend, as the median price of a family home, for example, has almost doubled from $1,077,000 in 2011 to $2,245,000 as of December 2023 (Source: Centris).
History: Beyond Mont-Royal
At the dawn of its history, this territory was inhabited by the First Nations, mainly the St. Lawrence Iroquoians, who farmed here, growing corn, beans and squash. In the 17th century, the first European settlers obtained agricultural land concessions and settled along the Saint-Jean-Baptiste River, which ran through the countryside that would later become Outremont. But where does the name Outremont come from? According to historical sources, the name was first coined in 1833, reflecting the town’s location: beyond Mount Royal.
Les Beaubien, land developers in the heart of Mile-End and Outremont (Source: Ville de Montréal)
Interesting anecdote: in 1927, the town of Outremont was the first to buy a snow blower invented by Arthur Sicard. Image source
In the 19th century, wealthy Montrealers built their homes here, attracted by its idyllic setting. In 1875, it was designated the village municipality of Côte-Sainte-Catherine, before being renamed the town of Outremont in 1895, under the leadership of Louis Beaubien. To reach the minimum number of residences required for city status, he ingeniously counted barns and farm buildings as dwellings.
In the early 20th century, Outremont, like other Montreal neighborhoods and municipalities, experienced rapid demographic and urban growth. The population rose from 1,000 to 40,000 between 1900 and 1940. Prestigious institutions such as Université de Montréal, Collège Stanislas, École de musique Vincent-d’Indy and Hôpital Ste-Justine were established here. Outremont also attracted political, cultural and economic elites, as well as professors and students. Famous Outremont residents included writers such as Robert Charbonneau, Gabrielle Roy and Mordecai Richler, painter Jean-Paul Riopelle, Quebec Premier Jean Lesage and Cardinal Paul-Émile Léger. Outremont was annexed to Montreal in 2002, despite the opposition of its residents, who voted overwhelmingly against the merger in a referendum.
Neighborhoods
In most of the Web media consulted, reference is made to the Outremont neighborhood as much as to the borough. In some cases, the existence of Upper and Lower Outremont is mentioned.
Haut-Outremont
Located on the north-western slope of Mount Royal, between the Mount Royal Cemetery and Côte-Sainte-Catherine Road, Haut-Outremont is a residential neighborhood known for its magnificent homes, some of which cost millions of dollars.
Bas-Outremont
Located south of Haut-Outremont, between Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine and Rue Van Horne, Bas-Outremont is a residential neighborhood known for its tree-lined streets and Victorian-style homes. Depending on which artery runs through it, you’ll find excellent restaurants, cafés and renowned boutiques.
Aerial view of Haut-Outremont (bottom of image) and Bas-Outremont (top of image)
Aerial view of Théâtre Outremont with part of Bernard Avenue (in front) at Champagneur. Source
Bernard Avenue
Beautifully laid out in a commercial and residential district, Bernard Avenue is lined with French-style buildings dating from the early 20th century. The Théâtre Outremont plays a leading role in Montreal’s cultural life and is without doubt its most notorious attraction.
Laurier Avenue
Renowned for its gourmet restaurants and numerous specialty and upscale boutiques, Laurier Avenue stands out for its three- and four-storey buildings. The infrastructure of Laurier Ouest was completely renovated in 2017-2018, giving this beautiful thoroughfare a fresh new look.
Van Horne Avenue
Avenue Van Horne, Outremont’s main thoroughfare after Chemin de la Côte-Ste-Catherine, is also a shopping street, with numerous establishments offering a wide range of products and services. It’s also home to schools, including Collège Stanislas, the Outremont metro station and the city’s bus routes.
MIL Montréal
The MIL Campus (Montréal Innovation District) was inaugurated on September 20, 2019. Occupying an area of 240,000 square meters, the project includes university pavilions, an innovation center, a residential area on the outskirts1, parks, bike paths and pedestrian links. Located on the site of the former Outremont marshalling yard, it is one of the most avant-garde university sites in North America, as much for its ultramodern Science Complex as for its eco-responsibility. Above all, it’s a stimulating new environment for study, research and work. It’s also known for its summer activities for all tastes, its ephemeral projects, its restaurants, cafés and boutiques.
Witness the transformation and redevelopment of the former Outremont marshalling yard into a mixed-use, sustainable neighborhood, incorporating the new Complexe des sciences de l’Université de Montréal. What a feat! Source : Ville de Montréal
The Outremont borough in figures
- Population: 25,067 people, 6,221 inhabitants per km², 1.3% of the total population of the city of Montreal, ranked 18th among boroughs in terms of population size.
- Average age: 38.5 versus 38.6 for Montreal as a whole.
- Area: 3.84 km².
- Person per household: 50% families with children, 2.5 persons per household on average.
- Average income : 63 000$.
- Renters: 46%
- Owners : 54%.
- Immigration: Nearly 40% of residents were born abroad. It’s a cosmopolitan borough with a large Hasidic Jewish community.
- Languages spoken: 61% French, 19% English and 20% other languages.
- People with college or university diplomas in the 25-64 age group: 73%.
- 2 libraries
- 1 theater
- 1 arena
- 1 community garden
- 3 commercial streets
- 1 university
- 19 academic institutions: primary, secondary, college and university levels
- 5 public squares
- 13 parks
- 5 mini parks
- More than 10,000 trees
- 1 dog park
- 1 gallery
- 7 outdoor rinks
- 1 outdoor pool
- 1 outdoor children’s pool
- 1 water game
- Number of bicycle paths : 10
- Nearby hospitals: Saint-Justine and Hôpital juif.
- Health and dental offices Université de Montréal
- 1 subway station: Outremont
What are Outremont's commercial streets?
Laurier Avenue
If you’re looking for a pleasant, lively area in Montreal, Avenue Laurier is a must. This commercial artery brings together boutiques, restaurants, cafés and art galleries that will seduce you with their diversity and quality. Fancy a (very) gourmet tour? You’ve come to the right place! Choose from renowned bistros that have become true Montreal institutions; elegant Italian, Japanese and Greek restaurants; trendy salad bars; lively cafés… Not to mention the creations of bakers and pastry chefs, or imports from the district’s largest delicatessen. The atmosphere is warm and friendly, with wide, tree-lined sidewalks, inviting terraces and colorful facades.
A nice corner of Laurier Source
- 100 offices on upper floors
- 130 shops
- + more than 100 stores
- + More than 30 restaurants, including local institution Chez Lévêque, a Parisian brasserie with a Québécois flavour that celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2024.
- + more than 100 professionals
- A monument: Saint-Viateur-d’Outremont parish celebrates its 110th anniversary
- 1 Dental Spa!
- You can find out more about these businesses and professionals on the website of Laurier Ouest, the neighborhood’s promotional organization.
Bernard Avenue
Bernard Street remains a lively shopping thoroughfare that remains popular with residents and visitors alike, despite a slight slowdown. It’s packed with high-quality boutiques, offering a variety of products from clothing and footwear to giftware and handicrafts. The street is also home to specialty shops such as bookstores, music stores and establishments offering health services and natural products.
Rue Bernard is the ideal place for a pleasant stroll, a convivial meal or a cultural evening. Among the street’s most popular attractions are :
- The Outremont Theatre offers a diverse program of theater, dance and music.
- Outremont cinema offers a program of independent and international films.
- The Outremont library offers a variety of resources and services to residents and visitors.
- Outremont Park, a 10-hectare green space with walking trails, playgrounds and sports fields.
Rue Bernard is also a gourmet’s paradise. It’s home to numerous cafés, restaurants and bars offering a variety of international cuisines. Here are three popular restaurants and a crèmerie that mark the special taste of Bernard Street:
- Brasserie Bernard : Since 2013, the establishment has welcomed a very large clientele made up of business people, artists and, above all, local residents who have quickly adopted the place and remain loyal to it. French and European cuisine.
- Thammada : This restaurant serves Thai cuisine and is popular for its spicy, flavorful dishes. It brings a breath of fresh air to the neighborhood with its casual cuisine and authentic flavors. This restaurant is considered one of the best Thai addresses in Montreal.
- Les Enfants Terribles : Founded in 2008 by Francine Brûlé, this is the first establishment in a young chain of seven Quebec restaurants. On the menu: pasta, tartar, salads, meat and poultry, fish. In short, everything for you to enjoy on the spot or to take home.
- Lester’s Deli : After more than 80 years in business, residents and visitors alike enjoy discovering and rediscovering Lester’s Deli’s signature smoked-meat sandwich.
- Le Glacier Bilboquet : Since it was founded in 1983, Le Bilboquet has been making the best ice creams and sorbets in the kitchen. A store with a relaxed atmosphere, offering sweet moments in original flavors for young and old.
Rue Bernard is a relaxed, leafy thoroughfare. The street's warm, peaceful atmosphere and culinary treasures, from a simple ice cream to hearty meals with international flavors, are sure to please.
Van Horne Avenue
Van Horne Avenue is 6.3 kilometers long, running through three boroughs: Côte-des-Neiges/Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, Outremont and Plateau-Mont-Royal. In Outremont, it stretches for approximately 1.5 kilometers, from avenue Pratt to avenue du Parc. The avenue is lined with independent boutiques, restaurants, cafés and bars.
These include
- Bloomfield : This restaurant offers simple dishes, such as a salad of green beans and crispy grelots, or a creamy Jerusalem artichoke soup. Pouding Chômeur is a Bloomfield specialty. An important culinary resource for neighborhood life in Outremont.
- Provisions Bar à vin : Discover this establishment that perfectly combines a quality butcher’s shop with a friendly restaurant. An exceptional culinary experience awaits you.
- Boxermans : Lively restaurant serving creative vegetarian, beef and seafood dishes, plus house cocktails.
- Patisserie Lescurier : Founded in 1988, it has been run by Alex Platel since October 2019. The patisserie offers a variety of delicious pastries, fine chocolates, cakes, and other creations. In Outremont, it’s an unmissable gourmet stop.
The Outremont real estate market
For many years, Outremont has been recognized as a privileged place of residence for those seeking a high standard of living and quality of life. The borough shines not only for its dynamic social, commercial and cultural life, but also for its exceptional real estate landscape enhanced by 13 parks and over 10,000 trees. Outremont is distinguished by its majestic mansions, prestigious residences and architecturally remarkable homes.
These buildings, often surrounded by meticulously tended private gardens adorned with climbing plants such as ivy, add a unique charm to the area. The real estate offering also includes a variety of luxury homes, from splendid apartments to high-end residential complexes, perfectly suited to those seeking comfort and opulence.
As you climb the streets leading to Mont-Royal, you'll discover increasingly opulent residences. Haut Outremont offers a particularly pleasant strolling experience, home to properties valued in the millions of dollars.
Take a stroll and discover
- Victorian homes: built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, these homes are inspired by the British architectural style of the period. They feature brick or stone facades, gabled or mansard roofs, sash windows and wood or metal ornamentation.
- Maisons bourgeoises: These are houses built between 1910 and 1930 for Montreal’s wealthy class. They are distinguished by their imposing volume, symmetrical facade, flat or hipped roof, casement windows and columns or pilasters.
- Modern homes: These are homes built from the 1950s onwards, influenced by the modern movement in architecture. They are distinguished by their geometric shapes, clean facades, flat or pitched roofs, horizontal windows and contemporary materials such as concrete, glass or metal.
It's condo time!
Apartments and condominiums also come in many sizes, from small lofts to homes with four or more bedrooms. Condos are very popular and appreciated by many people, especially the elderly, who want to simplify their lives and those who don’t want to take on all the responsibilities that come with owning a home.
For its part, the MIL Montréal project included the creation of 1,300 housing units, 15% of which were community housing and 15% affordable housing. Parallel projects have also been launched on neighbouring streets, including Perspectives Bates Condos, Milhaus Condos Locatifs and Presti-Vivre Outremont.
Homeowners versus renters
Source : Centris
Update : February 2024
Is it the right time to buy or sell?
When it comes to real estate, the overriding question is often: is now the right time to buy or sell? While no return can be guaranteed, analysis of historical market trends can provide valuable insights for making an informed decision. Indeed, although imperfect, the past provides lessons on market evolution and growth potential.
Real estate, perceived as a stable investment even in uncertain economic times, has demonstrated its resilience, as evidenced by the doubling of prices in Québec between 2000 and 2010, despite the 2008 recession. (Source: Québec Federation of Real Estate Boards). Recently, in 2023, despite a 24% drop in sales in Outremont, the total value of sales reached $236 million, down 4%. These results came as the Montreal real estate market experienced a rather turbulent 2023, marked by the turmoil of the pandemic, rising interest rates and a shortage of properties. This means that, despite a decline in transaction volume, overall market value may remain stable or even increase. What’s more, in 12 years, still in Outremont, the median price of family homes has more than doubled from $1,077,000 in 2011 to $2,245,000 in 2023.
These examples underline the robustness of the real estate market and the importance of viewing real estate primarily as a long-term investment. They highlight the need for in-depth market analysis, taking into account both historical and current trends, in order to make sound buying and selling decisions. In short, while the real estate market may present risks, with a limited inventory of properties and a high level of interest from potential buyers, it will fuel competition for available properties and promote upward pressure on prices. Your REALTA real estate broker is the right person to help you analyze the factors inherent in your real estate project.
Median price
Single-family homes
Source : Centris
Update : February 2024
Median price
Condominium
Source : Centris
Update : February 2024
Living in Outremont
In Outremont, my real estate agency is Realta!
There are many reasons to want to live in Outremont. Whether you’re looking to sell your property or find the perfect house or condo to buy, the opportunities are numerous.
Whether you’re buying or selling, take advantage of our real estate expertise to help you market your property successfully, or buy with peace of mind.
Meet the members of the REALTA team, Outremont real estate broker.
Information sources and useful links
- Site Internet Ville de Montréal – Arrondissement Outremont
- Outremont en famille / Éco-quartier Outremont
- Images Montréal – Quartier Outremont
- Mes quartiers – Outremont
- Lieux de cultes à Outremont
- Les meilleurs restos à Outremont-Pages Jaunes
- Les meilleurs bars à Outremont
- YMCA Outremont
- Société d’histoire d’Outremont
- Les Beaubien, promoteurs fonciers au cœur du Mile-End et d’Outremont
- Répertoire des attractions – Outremont – Québec Vacances
- Facebook Outremont
- LinkedIn Outremont
- Twitter Outremont
- Youtube – Outremont
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