McGill University invites architects to reimagine old Royal Vic site

McGill University is set to open a call for proposals to help it imaginehow theold Royal Victoria Hospital could be incorporated intoits campus.

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Architectural firms will be able to submit their visions for the formerhospitalbeginning April 6. McGill estimatesthere will be around $782 million available for the project.

The call for proposals is part of a feasibility study the Quebec government has agreed to co-fund with McGill. Though the university has expressed interest in taking over the Royal Victoria site, Quebec has yet to agree.

McGill says it needs the extra space to accommodate its 40,000 students.

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"A million square feet has become available right next to our campus," said Olivier Marcil, the university's vice-principal of communications and external relations.

"Thisis an opportunity for us to grow and to have space that will respond to our needs."

McGill wants to preservethe heritage elements of the old Royal Vic, which includes several structures that date from the 19th century. It also hopes to better integrate the site with MountRoyal.

Even though the former hospital has been empty for more than a year, it is not likely to be turned into classrooms in the near future.

The feasibilitystudy itself is slated to last 18 months, meaning McGill won't get the go-ahead from Quebec before 2017.