- Nuns have announced the sale of the historic Villa Maria estate, providing the college with a path to ownership.
- Suzanne Gouin, chair of the college’s board, stated that the arrangement allows Villa Maria time to assess its finances and explore a purchase, although the market value remains unknown.
- Désirée McGraw, a Villa Maria graduate and Liberal MNA, remarked that the situation has been stabilized by a two-year extension, allowing students to graduate from the current location.
- The college educates about 1,800 students and employs 200 people. The dispute began in 2023 when the congregation announced it would sell the property after the lease expired.
- A June 26 report by the college’s newly appointed board ruled out moving the school elsewhere, with an agreement to move the Sisters gradually between 2026 and 2028 to a residence for older adults.
The Sisters of the Congregation of Notre-Dame are selling the historic Villa Maria estate in Montreal, providing Villa Maria College with a potential path to ownership.
The college, which has occupied the land for over 170 years, will have the right of first refusal on any offers made for the 1.7-million-square-foot property.
“This is an opportunity that the congregation is giving to Villa Maria to ascertain its financial capabilities and to come up with options,” said Suzanne Gouin, chair of the college’s board.2
The college's future has been uncertain since 2023 when the Sisters announced plans to sell the estate after the college's lease expired, leading to a court battle that was dropped this year.4
The Sisters have stated that any outside buyer must honor the college’s existing lease, which runs until July 2030, and negotiate a further agreement lasting until at least summer 2032.
“You’ve now stabilized the situation by extending it by two years,” said Désirée McGraw, a Villa Maria graduate and Liberal MNA for Notre-Dame-de-Grâce.3
The Sisters emphasized that offers would be evaluated based on more than just price, requiring buyers to commit to preserving the site’s heritage and green spaces.
Any transaction will also need Vatican approval, with proceeds supporting vulnerable students in Quebec’s public schools.
“A June 26 board report ruled out relocating the school, and an agreement calls for moving the sisters to a seniors residence between 2026 and 2028. Board chair Suzanne Gouin said the arrangement gives Villa Maria time to assess its finances, though the property’s market value remains unknown.”
