Header: Olivier L. Gariépy @ogariepy
Céragrès, the Canadian leader in ceramic tile and natural stone, was invited by developer Carbonleo to collaborate closely with the Royalmount design team and the Lemay architectural firm to source the perfect products for this high-profile project. Providing advice, solutions, and technical support to the designers, architects, and contractors involved in the project, the experts at Céragrès recommended the finishing materials seen in the development’s main public spaces, as well as inside several of the initial retail locations. The net result: a significant contribution to Royalmount’s distinguished aesthetic.
“At Céragrès, we like to be associated with major projects like Royalmount because they allow us to use all our expertise and experience. We offer the designers inspiring products that meet the needs of the builders while respecting the project’s constraints. We also exceed the expectations of the owners by helping them optimise their budgets.”
Guy Gervais, founder and president of Céragrès
An ambitious project
An ambitious, carbon-neutral project with a global reach and an estimated total cost of $7 to 10 billion, Royalmount is the largest-ever private construction project undertaken in Quebec. The first of 20 planned phases opened in 2024, with this inaugural phase comprising a retail and cultural complex with 824,000 sq. ft. of floor space on two levels. This phase can accommodate 170 retailers, including local and international luxury brands, and 60 distinctive restaurants and attractions. The project includes a large mall, stores, reception and relaxation areas, multiple washroom concepts, a food court, and outdoor spaces. The diverse spaces allowed Céragrès to deploy a wide range of products and, most importantly, to call on the talent of some of the key people who have built the company’s reputation, including team members with technical and creative expertise. Together, they met the unique requirements of the owners and designers.
Each retail space had its own design team, and several of them worked with Céragrès. As a result, the company’s products can be seen in the Christofle jewelry shop, the Dynamite and Garage boutiques, the top beauty and wellness destination Rennaï, the Le Fou Fou gourmet food court, and Starbucks. The intricate designs in several of these spaces are particular points of pride for the Céragrès team, such as the floor in Rennaï, totaling 36,000 sq. ft. of laser-cut ceramics installed in a “fishtail” pattern.
The perfect materials
The developer, Carbonleo, is closely involved in the Royalmount design. It wanted the primary spaces in its project to have a fashionably classic but unique aesthetic. The attentive team at Céragrès recommended sustainable finishing materials in understated, contemporary, warm greys, with textured and shaped accents that result in unique signature surfaces.
“While visiting Barcelona, I had the opportunity to go to Italy to meet one of Royalmount’s main designers. We visited some Céragrès suppliers together and selected the products that would comprise the project’s palette of tiles and stones, starting with the tiles to be used in the main mall,” said Mr. Gervais. “We spent two days choosing combinations of products in different formats and textures and brought our selections back to Quebec. This is the kind of synergistic work that really motivates us at Céragrès because it allows our clients to benefit from all of our knowledge and resources to source ideal materials from anywhere in the world. It also gives us the opportunity to provide truly exceptional bespoke service.”
Ongoing collaboration
At opening, 50% of Royalmount’s first phase was open to the public. It will continue to open incrementally in the coming months. The experts at Céragrès are already involved with different design teams in developing the next new spaces to open. Future phases will include the addition of an aquarium, movie theatres, office towers and residences, a 3-kilometre raised linear park, and a 1.8-acre urban park. So far, the Royalmount project has proven to be an excellent showcase for Céragrès. Its association with Carbonleo and Royalmount’s other builders will continue into subsequent phases, which will be different from the first while maintaining continuity with it.
“Naturally, we are delighted to have been able to support and advise Royalmount’s designers, but what makes me happiest as the owner of Céragrès is that we were able to do our work on budget without compromising on the exceptional quality, durability, and beauty of the products used. We know our materials and we have the expertise and experience to tackle this kind of challenge,” said Mr. Gervais.
