From the start of construction in the early 1960s, designers of the Montréal métro wanted to give it a unique character by hiring several architects to build the stations. Instead of having a series of identical stations, a familiar sight for passengers of most subway systems around the world, transit riders in Montréal would enjoy distinctly designed stations, different from the next. The 26 stations in the initial network in 1966 did not each have a work of art. At the time, the generosity of businesses and organizations was counted upon to finance public art commissions. A work of art was added to a station after it opened, except for station Peel and station Mont-Royal, where their architects were closely involved in their creation.