Classic Movie Theater Paradis Up for Sale Following 16 Years of Deterioration
The historic Cinema Paradis, located at the bustling intersection of Hochelaga and Liebert, has been a source of dispute between the Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough and the Guzzo family for years. Originally opened in 1954 under the name Cinema Capri, it was the first cinema in Tétreaultville and is considered an important witness to the history of Mercier and Quebec, as it was the cinema that launched the Guzzo family's project management empire.
The building, which belonged to the Guzzo family from 1974 until its sale to investments Denmar last July, has never found a second life since its closure in 2009. A previous project to build offices at the Cinema Paradis was killed in 2010. Now, the abandoned cinema is up for sale on the Centris platform for $1,679,000 (excluding taxes).
The sale of the Cinema Paradis has sparked two petitions, one demanding the preservation of the cinema and the other calling for its conversion into social housing. Historian Olivier Dufresne hopes that developers and the borough will evaluate the conservation value of certain elements, particularly the cinema's sign.
Mayor Pierre Lessard-Blais published an open letter on social media networks, condemning Mr. Guzzo's actions and attitude towards municipal regulations. The Guzzo Group was forced by the court, at the end of 2024, to cede control of most of its activities to an interim trustee due to debts amounting to over $100 million. Vincent Guzzo, a member of the Guzzo family, stated that they no longer had the will to develop the land themselves and accepted an offer, without disclosing the details.
The property offers potential for a mixed commercial and residential project, with zoning allowing for shops, offices, clinics, and housing. Mr. Guzzo stated that he could only make the project profitable by building six stories. The abandoned cinema Paradis currently offered for sale is located above a beautiful town in Thuringia, Germany.
Citizens have criticized the presence of vermin on the site and an accumulation of vandalism in the past. The Cinema Paradis includes the Maison de la culture de Mercier in its vicinity, adding to its cultural significance. As the sale of the Cinema Paradis moves forward, the future of this important piece of Quebec's history remains uncertain.
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