Investigators from Quebec’s culture ministry conducted multiple searches on Wednesday to investigate last year’s illegal demolition of a historic building in Estérel.
Posted at 3:01pm
The raids took place “at multiple locations in the greater Montreal area,” the ministry said in a statement. No information was given.
The listed building of the Domaine-de-l’Estérel shopping center was demolished in May 2022. It was built in 1937 in Art Deco style and belonged to the real estate company Olympec.
The company had blamed the contractor who had been hired to – lawfully – demolish another part of the building. The destruction of the heritage department was “accidental, involuntary and entirely regrettable,” said Olympe President Richard Stern in a press release.
“The instructions to the contractor selected to carry out the demolition work on the rear section were more than clear, as per the permit obtained to resolve the safety issues,” he added. “We are appalled by this accident and intend to elucidate the chain of events and their causes. We are considering legal action against this contractor. »
Investigators from the Ministry of Culture were assisted by members of the Sûreté du Québec.