A new “emblematic” district of Montreal is to be created on the site of the former Molson brewery, a stone’s throw from the Jacques-Cartier Bridge. Nearly 5,000 housing units, including 20% social, 20% affordable and 20% designed for families, are planned in this $2.5 billion project located along the river.
The developer Montoni and the FTQ Real Estate Solidarity Fund intend to comply with the Regulation for a mixed metropolis, also called “20-20-20”, which requires such proportions of social, affordable and family housing. Since the adoption of this regulation, several developers have chosen to pay a financial contribution to the City of Montreal rather than offering these types of housing, which are becoming rare in the midst of the housing crisis.
“We are relying on a unique tool to comply with the regulation: the scale of the project, including densification, leads to economies of scale in our construction costs,” indicated Martin Leblanc, associate architect at Sid Lee, the one of the project managers.
Plans for the proposed neighborhood were unveiled to the media Wednesday morning. If all goes according to plan, construction is expected to begin in 2025 and extend over a period of seven to ten years.
Former industrial site
Developers recognize that the rental or condominium apartment market in this area of downtown is in a “crisis.” After an explosion in demand in recent years, housing remains unoccupied due to the costs of purchasing or renting apartments.
But the project — which will include a vast central park with a view of the river, public squares, pedestrian and bicycle paths, shops, cafes, restaurants and perhaps a hotel and a supermarket — is likely to attract Montrealers in search for housing, according to architects and developers.
They describe this future district as “the opportunity of a generation” to give new life to this sector which borders the river for approximately 500 meters, between the Jacques-Cartier Bridge and Old Montreal.
The industrial buildings, including the famous clock tower of the former Molson brewery, will be preserved to give an “iconic” character to the district. The Montreal factory closed its doors in 2021 to settle in Longueuil, on the other side of the river.
Favorable reception from the City
Discussions are going well with the City of Montreal to conclude the details of the implementation of the 20-20-20 regulation — in particular the construction schedule for social, affordable or family housing, indicates Julie-Anne Boisvert-Lessard, director of real estate development at Montoni. Social and affordable housing will be part of the first phase of work.
Despite the projected supply of housing for families, no schools are planned in this new neighborhood. The local school service center has, however, planned the construction of a primary school in the surrounding area, because the number of children is expected to increase with the development of the future Quartier des Lumières, on the former - land, next to this new Molson District.
Alia Hassan-Cournol, associate advisor to the Montreal executive committee, positively welcomes the “ambitious transformation” of the site proposed by Montoni and the FTQ Fund.
“This mixed project, with social housing, green spaces, parks, and a riverside promenade giving access to the river, embodies a modern vision while honoring heritage. We particularly welcome greening, integration into sustainable mobility and efforts to respond to the housing crisis,” she said on Wednesday.
“We will remain attentive to its evolution, ensuring that it fully integrates the needs and aspirations expressed by citizens during the consultations. »
