Montreal's RECESS Thermal Station Offers Social Hot-Cold Wellness Experience

RECESS Thermal Station in Montreal has opened as the city's first social hot-cold circuit facility. Located in the redeveloped Griffintown neighborhood, the 418-square-meter space was established by Adam Simms and Marilyne Gagné, with architectural design by Montreal-based Future Simple Studio. The facility features a cylindrical wooden sauna with tiered benches arranged for social interaction, a cold-plunge pool accommodating up to twelve people, and showers stocked with Aesop products. Guided sessions last 75 minutes and include breathing exercises, stretching, and communal activities like group humming in the 3°C plunge pool. The experience reflects a broader trend in Montreal where wellness and community have become central to urban design conversations. The space includes a reception area with raw cold-rolled steel and glass block screens, a locker area, and a curtain-wrapped lounging zone with beanbag chairs and tea service.