A major renovation project is now officially underway at the Italian community's cultural centre, Casa d'italia.
A gravel-turning ceremony took place Friday on a modern 15,000 square foot extension to the art-deco building.
The interior has been gutted and will be entirely redone.
The 73-year-old building will feature concert and exhibition halls, a museum, a library, an archives centre and classrooms.
The project will cost $5 million, with half coming from Montreal's Italian community and the rest from the federal, provincial and municipal governments.
The renovation and expansion should be finished by next summer.
