Inspired by the rich history of Old Montreal’s Paper Hill, Lemay’s transdisciplinary team viewed the restoration of the Read Building as a contemporary expression of its original purpose and architecture. Demanding a new chapter that would draw on the preservation of its heritage while attuning itself to its present-day surroundings, retrofits preserved storied features while adapting it to the neighbourhood’s transformation. Unifying the past and present, 425 Viger today blends different perspectives and moments in time with a coherent mix of heritage masonry and modern steel and glass.