With the opening of the Lachine Canal in 1825 and the inauguration of the Grand Trunk railway in 1847, St-Henri was on the road to incredible growth. The area fast became a centre for manufacturing in Canada with several sawmills, flourmills, tanneries and smelters. But that was only the beginning. Once the industrial boom hit, even more industrial factories moved in and set up shop.

Construction at 4020 Saint-Ambroise began in 1880. The Merchants Manufacturing Company used the building to house its cotton mill and then later expanded their operations in 1889 with a warehouse at 3970 Saint-Ambroise.

In 1905 the Merchants Manufacturing Company was bought out by the more powerful Dominion Textile Company. With several factories to their name, Dominion fast became the biggest employer in Quebec. In St-Henri alone, the factory employed some 3,000 workers. That’s in a city with just 25,000 inhabitants.

The word dominion has a history all its own. Up until 1948, it was used to designate self-governing countries within the British Empire. Canada acquired its dominion status July 1, 1867 and was then named the Dominion of Canada by the Fathers of Confederation. That’s why the name was so popular among companies of the day. Some still wear it today, like Dominion Tar & Chemical Company (better known as Domtar) and Toronto Dominion Bank.

The opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway in 1959 was the beginning of then end for the Lachine Canal and the factories located on its shoreline. The Lachine Canal was officially closed in 1970.

By 1969, the building at 4020 Saint-Ambroise was taken over by the Connecticut Leather Company, a toy maker. Better known under the name Coleco, they made video game consoles during the Pong era of the 1970’s and were quite successful. But they’re biggest hit came later in the 1980’s with the Cabbage Patch Kids.

With the demise of Coleco, the building fell into disrepair and was abandoned from 1987 to 1999.

In 1999, restoration work began on the original Dominion buildings while several add-ons were torn down.

2006, Bos Advertising Agency acquired the warehouse and the final transformation began.