PME MTL Grand Sud-Ouest and Parks Canada are proud to unveil the development of the LaSalle-Coke crane, one of the last fixed coal unloading cranes still standing in America and a significant witness to the industrial history of Montreal.
Signed by the LaSalle company DKI Refexio, an immediate neighbor of the crane for nearly 30 years, this achievement combines industrial memory and contemporary creativity. It is part of the celebrations of the 200th anniversary of the Lachine Canal and the vision of the Lachine Canal 4.0 metropolitan innovation zone.
A witness to Montreal’s industrial history Built between 1914 and 1916 between Saint-Patrick Street and the Lachine Canal, the LaSalle-Coke crane was long used to unload coal transported by boat to supply the sector’s energy facilities. Stabilized by Parks Canada in 2017, the structure stands today as one of the last witnesses of the industrial growth of the Grand Sud-Ouest. To revive this heritage, PME MTL Grand Sud-Ouest and Parks Canada launched a call for development projects in the spring of 2025. Among the dozens of proposals received, that of DKI Refexio was selected. Far from being limited to an aesthetic effect, the proposal pays homage to the history of the crane while relying on strong local roots and a real commitment to sustainability. The company is particularly committed to reusing more than 90% of materials and to favoring local suppliers.
What visitors will be able to discoverThe concept transports walkers, cyclists and boaters to the heart of the industrial era of the 1930s, when a coal carrier stopped in front of the factory to deliver its load. You will find in particular: • A trompe-l’oeil: applied to the facade of DKI Refexio, it reproduces the old industrial building to mix past and present. • Illuminations: they make the crane a real landmark and highlight the industrial memory of the sector. Long discreet, the structure becomes visible from afar and from all angles, even from Highway 20 and the Turcot interchange. Powered by solar energy and designed with respect for local wildlife, the lighting can change colors according to the highlights of the year. • A cultural stop: set up on the north side of the canal for walkers, cyclists and boaters, it allows you to learn more about the history of the crane. From the fall, a maritime work of approximately 120 feet evoking the Keystone Transports Limited coal ship will complete the installation.
A family story, offered to the districtDKI Refexio has been installed on Saint-Patrick Street since 1996, just opposite the crane, on the very foundations of the old factory. The Caetano family, who founded the company, has been observing this steel giant for almost 30 years. Specializing in post-disaster restoration, she saw this call for projects as a great opportunity to do what she does best: bring life back to life and restore. The maritime work is made by the Caetanos themselves and this is no coincidence. This family has been working with metal for a long time, long before their arrival in Canada. By carrying out this project with local artisans, they also want to honor the generations of immigrants whose workforce supported the industrial growth of Montreal. Crafted by hand, this work will complete the installation this fall, to offer a second highlight.
Heritage as a lever for economic developmentFor PME MTL Grand Sud-Ouest, this project concretely illustrates its role as a local economic developer. By supporting initiatives like this, which combine heritage revitalization, innovation and sustainable transition, the organization contributes to making the Lachine Canal 4.0 a metropolitan innovation zone (ZIM) that reinvents itself, without ever turning its back on its history. “We deeply believe that industrial heritage is a lever for economic development. When we revitalize a vestige like the crane, it becomes an anchor point that attracts, brings together and creates pride: this is what energizes a territory like the Lachine Canal 4.0. To carry out these projects, we need companies like DKI Refexio, ready to invest and get involved in the transformation of the territory. » – Marie-Claude Dauray, general director, PME MTL Grand Sud-Ouest
The LaSalle-Coke crane and its history are now revealed to walkers, cyclists and boaters, day and evening. The installation will remain in place for the next five years.
Quotes “Montreal was built on the banks of its canals, and the LaSalle-Coke crane is one of the great witnesses to this. By highlighting it, we reveal the full scope of this symbol of our history, enrich the experience of the Lachine Canal and remind us that our industrial heritage is at the heart of what makes Montreal unique and radiant. » – Andréanne Moreau, responsible for culture, heritage, design and the French language on the executive committee of the City of Montreal “LaSalle residents have always been around this crane. Seeing it finally highlighted, by a local company and a local family, is an immense source of pride. An area that was dark in the evening becomes a lively place where we want to stop, walk, and gather. This is exactly the kind of living environment we want for LaSalle. » – Nancy Blanchet, mayor of the borough of LaSalle “The development of the LaSalle-Coke crane is a great source of pride for Parks Canada. Through this project, we are giving new visibility to a significant witness to the industrial history of the Lachine Canal. In line with the celebrations of the 200th anniversary of the waterway, it is also a concrete way of honoring those who have shaped Montreal, while inviting the public to rediscover this emblematic heritage in the heart of a national historic site. » – Mélanie Lottinville, interim director, Waterways in Quebec, Parks Canada “We have had the crane as a neighbor for almost 30 years, we look at it every day through our windows. Our job is to bring life back to what has been damaged, so bringing this vestige back to life was natural for us. We did it as a family, with local entrepreneurs, and today we offer it to the community so that everyone can enjoy it and discover its history. » – Mario Caetano, president, DKI Refexio
AboutParks CanadaParks Canada protects and presents natural and heritage places of national significance. Built for commercial purposes in the early 19th century, the Lachine Canal is a national historic site located in the heart of Montreal. Its 200th anniversary, celebrated in 2025, highlighted the importance of its historical and industrial heritage.
DKI RefexioEstablished in LaSalle since 1996, DKI Refexio is a family business specializing in emergency response, restoration and reconstruction after disasters. With more than 30 years of commitment, it focuses on rehabilitation rather than replacement, with strong roots in the South-West of Montreal.
PME MTL Grand Sud-OuestMember of the City of Montreal’s business support network, PME MTL Grand Sud-Ouest supports entrepreneurs in the boroughs of LaSalle, Sud-Ouest and Verdun at each stage of their growth, and supports the economic development of neighborhoods to make them thriving living environments.