Underground City, Pedestrian network in Montreal, Canada
Underground City is a pedestrian network below downtown Montreal that runs for 32 kilometers and links office towers, metro stations, shopping centers, and hotels. The corridors run on several levels and open at some points into wide halls with shops, restaurants, and direct access to public transit.
The network began in 1962 when the Place Ville Marie office complex was built and linked with underground corridors to the nearby train station. Expansion started in 1966 when the city metro stations were added and new connections to other buildings were built.
The name RESO comes from the French word for network, and the pathways connect offices to shops so people can walk to work without a coat in winter. On cold days the corridors fill with commuters stopping for coffee or a quick errand before heading to their desks.
The corridors stay open daily, though some sections close earlier on weekends when offices are shut. You can find orientation maps at main junctions, but the many turns can be confusing if you are visiting for the first time.
Some sections near Place Ville Marie have glass ceilings that let daylight drop down into the lower floors and make you feel less underground. These light wells create an open feeling that is quite different from the narrow corridors you find in other parts.
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