The stables at the Horse Palace in Griffintown are home to Montreal's caleche horses when they are off duty. They have been a staple in the south-west borough since 1862 and now they are going to get a facelift.

When the land where the run-down wooden stables on Ottawa St. were sold to two condo developers last year, worry was they would tear down them down in order to make room for condos. But after lengthy negotiations between the Horse Palace Foundation, the city, and the developers, the stables will be preserved and restored, and the palace will turn into a local museum.

It's a great idea, according to caleche owner Judy Walden who has been renting spaces for her horses at the palace for 14 years.

"People have less and less of a chance to get close to animals," she says, "and this will allow them to get close, at least to the horses."

The orginal structures of the stables will be maintained as much as possible. A new and improved Horse Palace should be ready by summer 2013.