Former Molson Brewery | A new neighborhood within the next ten years

Five thousand homes, green spaces and a tourist hub: a large-scale neighborhood with a view of the river will officially take shape at the foot of Molson’s flagship brand. On Wednesday, the Montoni Group shared the vision for the project, which will cost more than two billion dollars to complete.

It will take between 7 and 10 years to build the entire district, the Montoni group estimated. The project, carried out in collaboration with the FTQ Real Estate Solidarity Fund, will require total investments of $2.5 billion.

“We are confident to start [la construction] from 2025,” mentioned Frédérick Truchon-Gagnon, director of public affairs for the Montoni Group. Four social housing buildings, namely the blocks identified A, G and L on the plans, will be the first to be built.

Two agreements remain to be signed with the City of Montreal before beginning work, namely the agreement on infrastructure, as well as that on the regulation on the mixed metropolis. The final phasing plan will depend on approval of the procedure for a specific project for construction, modification or occupancy of a building (PPCMOI).

Nearly 5,000 housing units will be erected on the 6 million square foot site, which runs along the St. Lawrence River for more than a kilometer. 20% of these units – or the four prioritized buildings – will be dedicated to social housing. The organization estimates that the first housing units could be ready by 2027, at the earliest.

The height of the buildings could reach between 15 and 20 floors, or between 45 and 60 meters. In all cases, the Montoni group ensures that the vision inside the accommodation will allow a breathtaking view of Mount Royal Park, the St. Lawrence River, the Jacques-Cartier Bridge and the emblematic clock. Molson Tower.

An overview

With housing, the first phase of construction includes the development of the Îlot des Voltigeurs, placed as a priority and described as the “heart of the district” by the Montoni Group.

“There will be offices, there will be residential, there will be commercial, a hotel, we think that it will be a tourist center in fact,” added M^me Truchon-Gagnon. Public services, such as a community center, will also be set up according to the needs of the population.

The organization is also keen to create numerous green spaces, including a river promenade between the Old Port and the East of Ville-Marie, and several public courtyards. Sohmer Park, a public park covering nearly 150,000 square feet, will also be redeveloped to offer a view of the river, Sainte-Hélène Island and the Jacques-Cartier Bridge.

It was also important for the organization to preserve certain industrial buildings, mainly for the use of the Molson brewery, because of their heritage character. The objective is to allow commercial or cultural use of the premises.

“We want to preserve the soul of this unique environment to make it a real mixed, sustainable and lively neighborhood,” commented Dario Montoni, president of the Montoni Group.

A school was planned for the site in the special urban planning program (PPU) of the Faubourgs, but a needs analysis would have indicated that it would not be essential. The organization mentioned that there would, however, be a new school very close to the area, in the Lumières district.

Circulation

The Montoni Group indicates that it is examining the issue of traffic as part of the development of the site, given the significant daily traffic of cars on Notre-Dame Street East.

“The objective is to make this neighborhood accessible, by public transport, by car as well, even if we want it to be a predominantly pedestrian neighborhood,” explained Frédérick Truchon-Gagnon.

The project therefore includes the development of traffic routes, including the extension of road axes – such as avenue Viger, rue de la Visitation and rue Atateken – towards the PPU des Faubourgs. The Ville-Marie urban boulevard is currently being studied for redevelopment. Underground parking lots, access to which will be facilitated by underground walkways, will also be distributed on three different axes on the site.

The organization ensured that it carried out mobility studies in order to minimize the impact of the construction of this important site. “Although no major obstruction to neighboring streets is planned for the moment, temporary repercussions on local traffic are possible, in particular because of construction trucks,” established the Montoni Group press release.

In addition to these developments, no new footbridge facilitating access to the north will be put in place.