New Princess Auto Retail Store

Project Description

Following the closure of the Sportium store in Saint-Hubert, the building underwent a major transformation to accommodate a new Princess Auto location, a Canadian retailer specializing in agricultural, industrial, workshop, hydraulic, and surplus products.

This redevelopment project involved several significant structural modifications to adapt the building to the operational requirements and new retail layout of the tenant.

Services Provided

DPHV provided the full range of structural engineering services required for the building conversion, including:

• Design and preparation of structural drawings for the removal of nine columns to create large open floor areas suited to the new store layout;
• Design of structural modifications required for the installation of a new overhead door within the precast concrete exterior wall system;
• Design of column reinforcements required following the demolition of a portion of the existing mezzanine;
• Development of procedures for localized slab-on-grade demolition and reconstruction associated with new plumbing trenches;
• Design of structural interventions related to the demolition of the existing elevator and escalators;
• Recommendations for pit backfilling and construction of a new slab-on-grade;
• Partial construction review services.

Challenges and Unique Features

Transforming an existing commercial building while retaining its primary structural framework required a detailed assessment of the impacts of each intervention. The removal of multiple load-bearing columns, the creation of new openings in the building envelope, and the demolition of existing structural elements all required carefully engineered reinforcement solutions to maintain structural stability throughout construction.

The project also included roof strengthening to accommodate new mechanical equipment and the adaptation of existing infrastructure to meet the operational requirements of the new tenant.

Through an integrated approach combining technical expertise, coordination, and experience with existing buildings, DPHV contributed to the successful conversion of this former big-box retail space into a modern Princess Auto store while maximizing the reuse of the existing structure.