Bunkr Village (Montreal)

Bunkr is a pop-UP Village in the Central District neighborhood of Montreal. It is located a short distance from Mile End. Bunkr's tenants consist of retailers, artists and service providers. The space also has performance spaces that book local, regional and international music acts. Lectures workshops and forums are a part of the schedule of events as well

Origins and history

Bunkr was established by a nonprofit group called the Experience Collective/DCMTL. This group works on integrated marketing and social programs in Montreal’s Central District. Their overall stated goal is to create an “ecosystem” that allows entrepreneurs, creatives and innovators a chance to thrive in the Central District area. The area was formerly used for industrial activities before being converted into a space with various cultural activities.

Location

Bunkr sits in an area that has been underused since the last manufacturing and industrial boom ended in the 1990s. The exact site of the popup village, which is made using shipping containers converted into kiosks and event spaces, used to be an ammunition factory that was established during World War II. (Bunkr is located on Esplanade Avenue and Louvain in what is sometimes referred to as the Garment District (Cite de la Mode). This is in the middle of Montreal’s Central District. The nearest Metro stop is at Chabanel Station. Sauve Station is also within walking distance. The Marche Central Shopping Plaza is also located a few blocks away from the BUNKR site.)

Development

The Bunkr and similar development projects in the Central District area are based on the idea that artists and entrepreneurs will be drawn to the area because of its low lease rates. According to the organizers of the popup village, lease prices per square foot are significantly cheaper in the Central District than they are in the neighboring areas of Mile End, Downtown, Old Port and Griffintown

Sponsorship

Corporate sponsorship for the popup village is provided by the UPS Store. Lepopup Shop, a Saint-Laurent-based container architecture firm, is responsible for the architecture, while other participants include urban art gallery Station 16 and the Hive, a creative space design firm. Cultural event newsletter La Vitrine, online marketing agency Kika, and retail center Marche Central are also involved in the sponsorship of BUNKR.

Events

Bunkr has a variety of events. (The space has food trucks that serve food to-go. There are also eating spaces in the form of public tables near the food trucks. The village also has a beer garden. Pop-up shops, many featuring local businesses, are also housed within the site. There are live music concerts featuring a variety of different musical genres. Art installations are on display at various places throughout the village.