Reviving the LaSalle-Coke Crane

Erected between 1914 and 1916, this massive metal crane was used to transfer coal destined for the Montreal Iron and Steel Company’s coke plant, a key facility in the industrial growth of Montréal’s southwest. It stands as a symbol of the area’s working-class memory and the economic history tied to the Lachine Canal — a true engine of development for the city throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.

Though no longer in operation, the LaSalle-Coke crane remains a prominent feature of the urban landscape, a silent witness to a bygone era. Its visual and symbolic potential makes it a powerful tool for historical and artistic storytelling — an ideal candidate for an innovative cultural revitalization project.

The project

This call for proposals is part of the Lachine Canal 4.0 initiative, an ambitious program aiming to transform the area along the Lachine Canal into a hub for local economic development.

Cultural organizations, artists, collectives, and institutions have until May 30, 2025, to submit their proposal.

The winning project will be selected in fall 2025, with implementation planned for winter 2026.

To learn more or consult the submission guidelines, visit the PME MTL Grand Sud-Ouest website.