Diamond Schmitt Architects took an old hotel building and turned it into the private residence hall Campus1 MTL Student Residence in Montreal, Canada.

Campus1 MTL has opened directly across from McGill University in Montréal. Designed by Diamond Schmitt Architects, the former hotel has been transformed to support a state-of-the-art student residence offering superior student living with a wide range of amenities and fully furnished suites. It is the latest project developed by Knightstone Capital Management in the fast-growing sector of privately run student residences across Canada.

Campus1 MTL has given new life to a building that was once an antiquated and fading hotel. Stripped down and restored as a purpose-built student residence, Campus1 MTL is unlike any student residence in the city.

The spacious and secure entry features a comfortable seating niche defined by bold color patterns and a strong linear ceiling treatment that draws students into the lobby. Two main routes provide opportunities for encounter among students with casual “touch down” areas interspersed with active space and study areas.

Campus1 MTL’s playful design animates the physical space and activates student interaction. Anchoring the central lobby is a multi-tiered millwork ‘mountain’ that pulls the ground floor together and draws inspiration from Montréal’s Mount Royal. Student services are located at the crossroads between the main circulation and elevator banks, further promoting student connection. The dining hall is positioned at the rear, drawing students from the entrance, lounges and elevators.

In addition to a collaborative media module, study room and classroom, the main floor also has a café and games room, setting the stage for work and play. Recreational amenities on the second floor include a basketball court, weight and cardio room, and yoga studio.

Each floor is marked with bold graphics at the elevator banks and has a variety of bedroom configurations. Common-use amenities differ from floor to floor to encourage inter-floor socialization and consist of study rooms, movie theaters, games lounges, meditation rooms, a LEGO-inspired room and a stunning penthouse “SkyLounge” that provides unparalleled views of the iconic Mount Royal.

To view the full project, take a peek here.

Architect: Diamond Schmitt Architects
Photography: James Brittain