On the banks of the river in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Montreal, Mise à Jour Studio undertook the comprehensive transformaƟon of a heritage home. Formerly divided between a residence and a medical office occupying nearly half of the ground floor, the intervenƟon opens up the spaces and enhances visual connecƟons to the river, while bringing new light into the heart of the house.

One of the project’s main challenges was the presence of two imposing brick chimney columns at the center of the space—remnants of the original layout. Preserved and highlighted, they have become key structuring elements of the project, organizing the house along two disƟnct axes: the more inƟmate front porƟon and the rear secƟon opening onto the courtyard and the riverside landscape. Large wooden arches were introduced to connect the various spaces, creaƟng gentle transiƟons while emphasizing the generosity of the volumes. Natural oak, with its warm tones, was favored to echo the many exisƟng wood elements already present in the home.

In addiƟon to the original brick columns, several heritage elements were carefully integrated into the new design. The natural stone cladding from the exterior façade, removed to allow for new openings, was preserved and reshaped by an arƟsan to form the new fireplace surround. The former fireplace, long sealed off, has thus been restored and now stands as the focal point of the dining room. Upstairs, the exisƟng masonry chimneys help structure the spaces, notably the main bathroom tucked beneath the roof. The atypical ceiling heights guide the layout of the rooms, making use of exisƟng dormers to create a spaƟal composiƟon that is both disƟncƟve and deeply rooted in the character of the place.

Finally, the staircase, once enclosed, was completely transformed into a refined architectural feature of metal and wood, promoƟng the flow of light between levels. The new staircase now connects all three floors of the house as well as the split-level garage, reinforcing the overall coherence and fluidity of the home.

Through a respecƞul yet contemporary approach, the De la Rive Residence celebrates the dialogue between heritage and modernity, offering this ancestral house a new life—bright, welcoming, and deeply connected to the people who inhabit it.