Habitat 67

Habitat 67 is a housing complex designed by architect Moshe Safdie for Expo 67, located at 2600 Avenue Pierre-Dupuy on the Cité du Havre peninsula in Montreal, Quebec. It is among the most recognisable works of modernist architecture in Canada, built from 354 prefabricated concrete modules stacked in an irregular arrangement to form 146 residences. The design aimed to combine the privacy and gardens of suburban homes with the density of an urban building, and every unit has its own roof terrace formed by the module below.

The units are private homes, so visitors view the complex from outside rather than entering. The best vantage points include the promenade along the river on Avenue Pierre-Dupuy, where the cubic forms and terraces can be seen close up, and the waterfront of the Old Port across the water, from which the whole complex appears as a sculptural cluster against the sky. Late afternoon light brings out the geometry and shadows of the stacked boxes, and the contrast between concrete, greenery and the river makes the building especially photogenic.

A viewing visit takes 30 minutes to an hour. Viewing from outside is free, and occasional guided tours are available for a fee through the official website at habitat67.com, so those wanting to see inside should check the schedule and book ahead. Visitors should respect residents' privacy and avoid entering private areas.

The site is a 25-minute walk or bike ride from the Old Port along Avenue Pierre-Dupuy, and STM bus 168 serves the Cité du Havre area. A single fare is CAD 3.75. Crowds are generally light, since the complex is a quiet residential building, though summer weekends bring architecture fans and cyclists to the promenade. The walk can be combined with Parc Jean-Drapeau or a stroll back toward the Old Port for dinner.