PHI Contemporary: A New Cultural Landmark Forged by Vision and Synergy

MONTRÉAL, QC – July 06, 2026 – Amid the historic cobblestones of Old Montréal, the sound of ceremonial shovels breaking ground today heralded more than just the start of construction; it marked the physical manifestation of a two-decade cultural vision. With government dignitaries and arts community leaders in attendance, PHI officially launched the creation of PHI Contemporary, a monumental project poised to reshape the city’s artistic landscape and revitalize the eastern quarter of its most historic district.

Founded by the visionary philanthropist Phoebe Greenberg, PHI Contemporary is the culmination of her long-standing commitment to fostering a dynamic, accessible, and globally recognized arts scene in Montréal. The new institution, slated to open in 2029, will consolidate the diverse activities of the PHI Foundation, PHI Centre, and PHI Studio under a single, ambitious roof. This is not merely a new building, but the creation of a complex cultural ecosystem designed to explore the intersection of art, technology, and human connection.

A Two-Decade Vision Forged in Art and Innovation

To understand the significance of PHI Contemporary, one must look to the architect of its vision, Phoebe Greenberg. The daughter of a real estate magnate, Greenberg forged her own path through the world of experimental theatre before turning her focus to contemporary art. Over the last twenty years, she has methodically built a cultural powerhouse in Montréal, piece by piece, guided by a core philosophy of democratizing art. Her initiatives have consistently aimed to dissolve the barriers between challenging contemporary works and the public, fostering curiosity and critical thought.

This mission first took shape with the establishment of the PHI Foundation for Contemporary Art in 2007 (then DHC/ART). Operating on the European "kunsthalle" model, the foundation presents world-class exhibitions without maintaining a permanent collection, allowing it to remain nimble and responsive. Crucially, it has always offered its programming free of charge, a principle that has become a hallmark of Greenberg's approach. Art historians have noted that her institutions have consistently "raised the bar" for international exhibitions in Canada, filling a vital niche in the national arts scene.

In 2012, the PHI Centre expanded this ecosystem, becoming a multidisciplinary hub for projects merging art with film, music, and immersive technologies like virtual and augmented reality. This was followed by the PHI Studio in 2019, an engine for producing the very XR (Extended Reality) experiences that the Centre champions. From presenting major international artists to producing cutting-edge digital works that have traveled to the Venice Biennale and Tribeca Festival, Greenberg's organization has become a catalyst for dialogue, connecting Montréal to a global artistic conversation.

PHI Contemporary is the grand synthesis of these efforts. It represents the moment a distributed network of innovative spaces coalesces into a landmark institution, providing a permanent and purpose-built home for this expansive vision.

Weaving the Contemporary into the Fabric of Old Montréal

Located at the corner of Bonsecours and Saint-Paul Streets, the project is as much an exercise in urban renewal as it is in cultural placemaking. The architectural plan is a delicate and ambitious dialogue between past and future. The design, awarded to the consortium of Berlin-based Kuehn Malvezzi and Montréal’s Pelletier de Fontenay after an international competition, will weave together four heritage buildings—including the historic Pierre Du Calvet and Louis-Viger houses—with a new, contemporary structure built on an adjacent lot.

This architectural approach moves beyond simple preservation. It reinterprets a historic site, creating what the architects describe as an "open platform" or a "contemporary stage" for art. The design intentionally blurs the lines between old and new, public and private, creating a fluid space that encourages exploration. The 6,900-square-meter (74,000 sq ft) facility is conceived not as a static container for art, but as an active participant in the life of the city, with expansive public circulation areas designed to house art and foster spontaneous encounters.

By anchoring this forward-looking institution in the eastern sector of Old Montréal, the project promises to be a powerful engine for revitalization. It will bring new life to a historically significant area, transforming it into a vibrant destination for locals and cultural tourists alike. The design itself promotes this integration, with plans for the educational program to be visibly housed within the historic Maison du Calvet, inviting public participation directly from the street.

The Anatomy of a Cultural Keystone: Public-Private Synergy

The scale of PHI Contemporary—with a total project budget estimated at over $70 million—would be unattainable without a powerful synergy between private philanthropy and public investment. The groundbreaking ceremony, attended by Québec's Minister of Culture Mathieu Lacombe and other federal and municipal representatives, underscores the project's importance as a shared civic priority.

This public-private partnership is codified in the project's financing. The governments of Canada and Quebec have jointly committed over $26.6 million to the institution's creation, with each contributing more than $13.3 million. This substantial public funding is matched by over $48 million in private investment, primarily from Greenberg herself. This collaborative model is increasingly crucial for realizing large-scale cultural infrastructure in Canada, leveraging private vision and capital while affirming a project's public value through government support.

In a previous announcement, government officials praised the initiative's multifaceted benefits. The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, then Minister of Canadian Heritage, noted its role in allowing "more people to experience culture and discover the art of tomorrow." At the provincial level, the project was celebrated for its contribution to promoting Quebec culture and preserving built heritage. This alignment demonstrates a shared understanding that investing in culture is an investment in community identity, tourism, and economic vitality.

An Open Stage for Art and Community

Upon its completion in 2029, PHI Contemporary will house six exhibition galleries, a network of new media galleries, an auditorium, and dedicated spaces for mediation and research. This consolidation will allow for a more integrated and expansive curatorial program, bringing the full spectrum of PHI's interests—from contemporary painting to immersive XR—into a cohesive dialogue. The inclusion of works from Phoebe Greenberg's personal collection will add another layer to the institution's offerings.

The project has already garnered acclaim, receiving an Award of Excellence from Canadian Architect magazine in 2022, long before construction began. This early recognition from the design community signals confidence in the project's architectural and conceptual integrity. Within the arts sector, the anticipation is palpable. The institution is viewed as a "new living space for art, ideas and encounters" that will solidify Montréal's position as a leading international cultural hub.

Ultimately, the success of PHI Contemporary will be measured by its ability to engage the public, a principle embedded in its very design. By creating a welcoming and permeable space where contemporary art intersects with daily life, Phoebe Greenberg is building more than a museum; she is building a new stage for public discourse, ensuring that the most relevant ideas of our time have a place to be seen, felt, and discussed for generations to come.