Nuns' Island

Historical Ownership and Early Development

The island was originally named Île Saint-Paul in honour of Paul de Chomedey, Sieur de Maisonneuve, the founder of Montreal, and it was initially acquired in 1634 by Jean de Lauzon, a future governor of New France. The land was included in the expansive seigneurie of La Citière before being divided into the seigneuries of Saint-Paul and La Noue, which were owned by prominent citizens of Ville-Marie. The nuns of the Congrégation de Notre-Dame acquired the seigneurie de La Noue in 1706 and, following the British conquest, purchased the seigneurie of Saint-Paul at auction in 1769, becoming the sole owners for the next 187 years. This lengthy period of ownership by the religious congregation is the direct source of the island's common and official name, which replaced the original Île Saint-Paul.

The nuns farmed the island, building houses and agricultural buildings, and later hired women to help with raising livestock. They continued this agricultural use until 1956, when they sold the island to the Quebec Home and Mortgage Co. Ltd. For much of its history, the island had no fixed link to the Island of Montreal. A tax dispute between the congregation and the municipality of Verdun in the late 19th century led to the island being made a separate municipality named L'Île-Saint-Paul in 1899. This independent status ended in 1956 when the provincial government merged the island with Verdun. By that time the name Saint-Paul had fallen out of use, and the name île des Sœurs was officialized. The nuns entirely left the island in 1957.

Modern Urbanization and Architectural Significance

The island's transformation into a modern residential community began in earnest with the opening of the Champlain Bridge in 1962, which provided the first major fixed link for vehicles. The urbanization was carried out by the Chicago-based Metropolitan Structures company under a master plan by the American firm Johnson, Johnson, and Roy, following several unrealized plans by architect Harold Ship. The first phase was completed in 1968 when the initial 3,000 inhabitants moved into 800 leased units, and a second phase completed the following year included significant architectural works. This second phase notably included four buildings designed by the renowned modernist architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe: three high-rise apartment buildings and an Esso filling station, with the first building at 201 rue Corot occupied in 1969.

By the mid-1970s, significant areas to the south of the island were reclaimed from the St. Lawrence. Most of this landfill came from the excavation of Montreal's underground Metro system in the mid-1960s. The resulting dykes and fill allowed an additional few million square feet to be used for development as well as a golf course. Unsystematic construction has continued rapidly since then. The island was also the filming location for a horror film called They Came from Within a.k.a. Shivers, directed by Canadian filmmaker David Cronenberg in 1975. The island's hotel tower doubled for the film's "Starliner Tower" apartment building.

Geography and Natural Environment

Nuns' Island is a 3.74-square-kilometre island that is part of the Hochelaga Archipelago in the St. Lawrence River. It is located immediately southeast of the Island of Montreal, from which it is separated by a narrow channel. Soils are mostly of clay loam to clay texture, and usually somewhat poorly drained (MacDonald series). Very poorly drained clay was mapped as Laplaine series, and areas of well-drained glacial till were mapped as Chateaugay clay loam or St. Bernard loam. A key natural feature is the 64 acre (26-hectare) Domaine Saint-Paul natural woodland in the southern part of the island. It is a crucial nesting area for more than a hundred species of birds and is one of the last remaining natural woodlands in southern Montreal. It has been progressively eroded by development.

The Domaine Saint-Paul woodland surrounds an artificial lake called Lac des Battures. This lake was actually created by accident as parts of the river known as "water lots" became landlocked during landfill operations in the 1960s and 1970s. That part of the island was subject to annual floods caused by spring runoff. The resulting dykes and fill allowed an additional few million square feet to be used for development. The island is also noted for its parks and scenery including West Vancouver Park which overlooks the Saint Lawrence River.

Transportation and Infrastructure

Nuns' Island is a major transportation node in southwestern Montreal, with the Décarie South Expressway (Autoroute 15) running through it and connecting to the south bank of the St. Lawrence via the Champlain Bridge. The island is linked to the Island of Montreal via the Pont de l'Île-des-Sœurs, which is part of the Champlain Bridge complex, and the Clément Bridge connects it with the Bonaventure Expressway (Autoroute 10), integrating it fully into the regional highway network. A key addition to public transit was the opening of the Île-des-Sœurs station in July 2023, which is part of the driverless Réseau express métropolitain (REM) line between downtown Montreal and Brossard, significantly enhancing connectivity. This rapid transit service is supplemented by connecting bus routes that operate on the island, providing residents with multiple options for commuting and travel.

There are only two schools on the island, École primaire Île-des-Sœurs and École des Marguerite. The elementary schools are both part of Montreal's French-language Marguerite-Bourgeoys School Board. Commercial services are clustered in malls around the Place du Commerce shopping centre near the Champlain Bridge. Civic services including a community centre and church are located around Place Elgar.

Economy and Commercial Life

Commercial services on Nuns' Island are primarily clustered in malls around the Place du Commerce shopping centre near the Champlain Bridge, which serves as the main retail hub for residents. Civic services, including a community centre and the Église Sainte-Marguerite-Bourgeoys, are concentrated around Place Elgar, creating a separate node for community activities and gatherings. The most significant recent economic development is the construction of the campus headquarters of Bell Canada on the northern tip of the island, which was completed in 2009. Bell Canada, the largest communications company in the country, consolidated workers from several Montreal locations at this new complex, which also serves as the company's national headquarters and consists of a cluster of five low-rise buildings at the Autoroute 10 and 15 interchange. A substantial part of Nuns' Island's land is still leased by Structures Metropolitaines from the current landowners, reflecting the ongoing managed development of the area. The neighbourhood offers a quieter commercial life compared to the busy Rue Wellington in mainland Verdun, with shops also found on rue de la Rotonde and in the island's centre, rounding out the amenities for its residential population.

Community and Residential Profile

Nuns' Island is a planned garden city community developed since the 1960s, featuring condo towers and complexes, townhouses, a golf course, and wooded areas, with a distinct character from mainland Verdun. Community life is active and facilitated by organizations like IDS Social, which maintains a community calendar and hosts events such as Repair Cafés, skill-sharing workshops, wellness activities, volunteering, and community gardening, often at the Église Sainte-Marguerite-Bourgeoys. These events are designed to be accessible with no strings attached, are typically free or low cost, and aim to foster connection through activities like street parties, potlucks, or simply sharing park space. The residential profile is one of ownership, with about 70 percent of the population owning their home while the rest are renters, and the housing stock mainly offers one-bedroom and two-bedroom units in various building types.

The island is experiencing planned growth. Within 5-8 years, Nuns' Island will become a community of 30,000 people. This planned growth has sparked resident engagement in development consultations. The growth is focused in areas like Pointe-Nord, with recent towers near the REM station. Pointe-Sud and the island's centre offer condos from the 1980s to 2010s and often larger townhouses.

Real Estate Market and Comparison with Verdun

As of 2026, the real estate market on Nuns' Island is characterized as a balanced-to-buyer's market, with more than eight months of inventory in the second quarter indicating favourable conditions for purchasers. This market is considered slow and specific, requiring buyers to compare properties tower by tower, as the inventory exceeds eight months, which separates it from a seller's market and gives buyers more leverage in negotiations. The balance of power in this price range is such that beyond eight months of inventory, the buyer leads the market dynamics, which is the current situation on the island.

This market contrasts sharply with the neighbouring mainland portion of Verdun. Verdun is counted by the APCIQ within the Sud-Ouest sector. Verdun's housing stock is dominated by renovated brick duplexes and triplexes from the 1920s to 1950s. In 2026, the sector reported a median condo price of $508,500 and a house price of $1,050,000. Renovated plexes near Wellington are among the most contested products on the island of Montreal. The two areas, though in the same borough, cater to different preferences. Verdun appeals to those seeking a lively, urban village with metro access. Nuns' Island suits those preferring a quieter, planned community of towers and green spaces with REM access.

Governance and Administrative Structure

Nuns' Island is governed as an integral part of the borough of Verdun within the city of Montreal, making up the neighbourhood of L'Île-des-Sœurs. For city council representation, it forms part of the district of Champlain, L'Île-des-Sœurs together with the eastern third of 'mainland' Verdun, linking its political interests with that portion of the borough. As part of Verdun, it falls under the federal electoral riding of Ville-Marie, Le Sud-Ouest, Île-des-Sœurs and the provincial riding of Verdun, integrating it into larger political constituencies. This administrative structure means local planning, services, and community consultations, such as those regarding future development on the island, are managed through the Verdun borough administration and the relevant city council district.

Questions about Nuns' Island

What is the history behind the name 'Nuns' Island'?

The island was originally called Île Saint-Paul in honour of Paul de Chomedey, Sieur de Maisonneuve, the founder of Montreal. The nuns of the Congrégation de Notre-Dame acquired one seigneurie in 1706 and purchased the other at auction in 1769, becoming the sole owners for the next 187 years. Their ownership gave the island its unofficial name, attested since the early 19th century. When the island was merged with Verdun in 1956, the name Île des Sœurs was officially adopted, formalizing the long-used name derived from their ownership.

How do you get to and from Nuns' Island?

The Décarie South Expressway (Autoroute 15) runs through Nuns' Island, connecting it to the south bank of the St. Lawrence River via the Champlain Bridge and to the Island of Montreal via the Pont de l'Île-des-Sœurs. The Clément Bridge connects the island with the Bonaventure Expressway (Autoroute 10). A rapid transit station, Île-des-Sœurs station, opened in July 2023 as part of the driverless Réseau express métropolitain line between downtown Montreal and Brossard. This service is supplemented by connecting bus routes.

What is the Domaine Saint-Paul?

Domaine Saint-Paul is a 64 acre (26-hectare) natural woodland located in the southern part of Nuns' Island. It is a crucial nesting area for more than a hundred species of birds and is one of the last remaining natural woodlands in southern Montreal. It has been progressively eroded by development. The woodland surrounds an artificial lake called Lac des Battures, which was created accidentally during landfill operations in the 1960s and 1970s.

What is the real estate market like on Nuns' Island in 2026?

In 2026, the Nuns' Island real estate market is a balanced-to-buyer's market with more than 8 months of inventory. Prices range between $330,000 and $980,000, with a median condo price of $613,176. Properties take about 75 days to sell. About 70% of the population of this neighbourhood own their home while the rest are renters. The neighbourhood offers mainly one bedroom and two bedroom homes.

What community activities are available on Nuns' Island?

Community life on Nuns' Island includes a community calendar, Repair Cafe, skillshare, wellness, volunteering and gardening. These events are often held at venues like the Église Sainte-Marguerite-Bourgeoys. They include work parties, seedlings, harvests, biodiversity activities, concerts, exhibitions, theatre, and street festivals. These events are all no strings attached, free or low cost, and aim to foster connection within the neighbourhood.

What is the Bell Canada campus on Nuns' Island?

The Bell Canada campus is a major office complex on the northern tip of Nuns' Island. In 2009, Bell Canada, the largest communications company in Canada, consolidated workers from several Montreal locations to this new complex, which also serves as the company's national headquarters. The campus consists of a cluster of five low rise buildings located at the Autoroute 10 and 15 highway interchange. This development is a significant part of the island's economy. The campus headquarters represents a recent and substantial commercial investment on Nuns' Island.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Your Space Hamilton desk. Last updated 2026-10-23.