SonoLux opened on November 26, 2025 in Old Montreal's 1914 National Trust building, marking the first 'contemporary art hotel' in Quebec. The concept is straightforward: rotating art exhibitions every six months across all eight floors, with 36 rooms ($400 to $700) that function as part of the gallery space itself.
The inaugural exhibition runs through April. PHI's Cheryl Sim curated Seeds of R/Evolution, featuring work from ten artists including Skawennati, Lisa Jackson, and Maureen Bradley. The pieces span digital animation, video games, and documentary art, displayed throughout the hotel's public spaces and floors.
In the lobby, The Cosmic Code—a permanent installation developed with Behaviour Interactive—uses generative visuals that respond to music and visitor movement. The display shifts throughout the day based on the room's energy.
Two dining spaces anchor the property. LUMI, helmed by chef Graham Hood, offers a contemporary seasonal menu available as nine or fourteen course tastings. Hood runs Epicurien Consulting and has spent over a decade developing menus for Montreal's high-end kitchens. The menu focuses on individual ingredients and contrasts. Service is intentionally understated, with the emphasis staying on the food and the surrounding art.
Downstairs, Subterra functions as an audio lounge. DJs dig through jazz, soul, funk, dub, and hip-hop, guided by a program that explores the roots of these genres. Fred Everything, the Montreal producer and DJ, curated the hotel's overall sonic identity and oversees the music programming. Pastry chef Nadiia Manchuk and bartender Clément Wallas handle the shareable plates, desserts, and cocktails.
SonoLux is the latest from Épik Collection, the group behind Bonaparte and Uville. Daniel Gallant, the collection's VP, describes it as "a living space in constant evolution" where art rotates, music programming shifts, and lighting (designed by Solotech, who handled Taylor Swift's Eras Tour) adapts to the space.
The hotel sits in a heritage building steps from Notre-Dame Basilica. Architects Geiger Huot and designers at Zabb Design handled the build-out. Whether the concept works depends on what you're after. Visitors interested in how a hotel can function as gallery, listening room, and guesthouse simultaneously, SonoLux offers something distinct in a neighbourhood that's seen its share of hospitality concepts.
LUMI is open Tuesday to Saturday, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Subterra runs the same nights until midnight.
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