The Congregation of Notre-Dame has officially put the historic Villa Maria estate in Montreal up for sale [1].
The move marks the end of a long-standing religious presence in the area and signals a shift in how the order will fund educational initiatives. By liquidating the asset, the congregation intends to generate resources to support the most disadvantaged students across Quebec [5].
The estate, located near the Villa Maria metro station, consists of five historic buildings [3]. The congregation has owned the land for a significant period, with reports placing the duration of ownership between 170 [1] and 190 years [6].
The organization said the sale is intended to ensure that the heritage of the site and the college can continue under new ownership [1]. While the property is officially on the market, there are differing accounts regarding the final timeline of the transition. Some reports indicate the domain is for sale now [1], while other documentation suggests the sale is confirmed for 2031 [4].
Additionally, the congregation plans to vacate the property within seven years [6]. This transition period allows the order to wind down its current operations while seeking a buyer capable of maintaining the historic nature of the campus.
The sale represents a strategic pivot for the Sœurs de la Congrégation de Notre-Dame. By converting real estate holdings into liquid capital, the order seeks to modernize its philanthropic reach in a province where the role of religious institutions in education has evolved significantly over the last century.
“The estate, located near the Villa Maria metro station, consists of five historic buildings.”
The sale of the Villa Maria estate reflects a broader trend of religious orders in Quebec divesting from large physical assets to sustain their social missions. By shifting from property ownership to a fund-based model for student aid, the Congregation of Notre-Dame is adapting to a secularized educational landscape while attempting to preserve the architectural heritage of Montreal.
