Holand Rolls Royce Karma - Dealership

One of this project’s main challenges was the site’s unique topography: the dealership had to be built on a deep yet narrow lot. The project team carefully considered how to optimize the building's visibility from all angles, particularly from its main façade on Décarie Boulevard. Each brand also needed to be clearly identifiable from outside and have its own dedicated showroom.

To maximize visibility of both the street-side façade—the narrowest side—and the Rolls Royce brand, the team of architects led by Richard Kaplin, positioned the main entrance at an angle at the corner. This approach not only enhances visibility but also cleverly distinguishes the Rolls Royce and Karma showrooms, both located on the ground floor. The angled entrance also creates a dynamic shape that naturally draws attention from the street and the nearby freeway.

Maximizing space utilization

The longer façade on the north side, which is clearly visible from the two highways, features the Karma showroom. It includes a driveway that provides access to customer parking with valet service, while also serving as a service lane for vehicles destined for display or storage in the building's underground garage. This expansive 31,000 sq. ft. storage space is equipped with a lift system that allows vehicles to be stacked, maximizing capacity.

The exterior and interior of the dealership were carefully designed to reflect the high-end positioning of all three brands. The exterior features zinc cladding in two shades of grey  complemented by porcelain tiles, giving the building an elegant and timeless character that complements its large tinted-glass surfaces.

This refined aesthetic continues inside, where the reception area and staircase, clad in porcelain and supported by glass panels, create a light and airy atmosphere while maximizing natural brightness, similar to the Holand reception area on the upper floor. An L-shaped glass mezzanine, which houses offices and meeting rooms, separates the three showrooms without closing them off from one another. 

Special attention was given to the Karma showroom: “To align with the client’s vision, we interpreted the manufacturer’s design approach—which incorporates extensive wood elements—using materials sourced entirely from Quebec.”

Overall, the project involved various intricate design elements, all of which were conceptualized and executed by the GKC team.