At the turn of the 18 th century, a fort, of which two towers still stand, was erected nearby by François Vachon de Belmont. During the first half of the 19 th century, the great seminary, with its landscaped gardens and a reflecting pond in the French style which developed at the château of Versailles, built for Louis XIV, replaced most of the fort. By the end of the century, Sherbrooke Street had evolved into an avenue lined with majestic trees, elegant townhouses and the mansions of this young country’s merchant princes. This was Canada’s Fifth Avenue.

At that time, a thriving class of prosperous families built their fashionable beaux-arts style townhouses at 1657 and 1659 Sherbrooke Street West. The former belonged to James Seath‑Smith, architect, art collector and owner of the first automobile in Montreal. He lavishly decorated his home with woodcarvings, Italian carved marble and ornate Dutch fireplaces. The Honorable Narcisse Pérodeau, fourteenth Lieutenant-Governor of Québec, owned the latter.

It wasn't until 1958 that Marie‑Louise and André Villeneuve turned the vintage townhouse at 1659 Sherbrooke Street West into a small hotel called "Versailles Lodge". The family later purchased the three adjacent townhouses, thus creating "Château Versailles" as it now stands, bringing together four distinct homes, styles and histories.