Revamped Urban Living: Mixing Heritage and Density in Montreal
Institute for the Deaf and Dumb to accommodate 800 housing units in its premises.
A novel residential project is on the horizon in the heart of Quebec's vibrant city, as the Minister responsible for Infrastructure, the Minister responsible for Housing, and the Mayor of Plateau-Mont-Royal jointly declared. This unique development aims to accommodate approximately 800 households on the property once home to the former Institute for the Deaf-Mutes.
After almost a decade of neglect, this venture brings fresh life to this heritage site at the intersection of Berri and Cherrier Streets, with the construction of two towers: a 17- and 25-story structure. The historical spirit of the site will be preserved as the majority of the pavilions, including the chapel and the iconic Saint-Denis Street facade, will remain intact. The development will unfold in several phases, promising a harmonious blend of memory and modernity.
Residia, the project's developer, won the bid during last fall's call for proposals to reanimate this heritage building, with the understanding that the original architectural ensemble would be conserved.
A Blend of Affordability and Heritage
At least 20% of the homes in this development will cater to social and affordable housing, as Plateau-Mont-Royal's borough By-law for a Mixed Metropolis requires. The Minister of Housing, France-Élaine Duranceau, reminded us that this regulation has been in place since 2020, and a financial balance is necessary for the project's viability. In this case, Quebec will subsidize the more affordable housing section.
The promoter, Residia, aspires to surpass this threshold, but details about the financial arrangements and the real estate transaction's cost remain undisclosed.
The official opposition leader at Montreal City Hall, Aref Salem, applauds the site's redevelopment and its commitment to preserving the entire heritage ensemble. However, he yearns for a substantial portion of the project to integrate social and affordable housing to combat the rampant housing crisis.
The Minister responsible for Infrastructure, Jonatan Julien, views this agreement as a delicate balancing act between heritage preservation and addressing Montreal's housing shortage. He highlighted the necessity of collaborative effort to make this project a reality, stating that the project was the top choice among the dozen proposals in response to the criteria for densification and preservation.
A Decade in the Making
Constructed during the late 19th century by the Sisters of Providence to accommodate deaf and mute girls, the Institute evolved into a cherished symbol of the neighborhood's heritage. Overcoming the vast challenges of repurposing buildings of this nature in Montreal, the proposed project provides a solution that satisfies both the objectives of protecting and elevating heritage and addressing Montreal's housing shortage.
After a decade of inaction, the site has existed in a state of vacancy since 2015. The current housing predicament ultimately drove the parties to reach an agreement on this project, which had long been obstructed by political disagreements and a lack of a viable financial plan. "If everyone had cooperated ten years ago, we would be further along," admits France-Élaine Duranceau.
For her colleague, Jonatan Julien, the delayed progress is a testament to necessity: "Necessity is the mother of invention." Even Luc Rabouin concedes that he would not have sanctioned such high-density housing only a few years ago, but now, "the worst thing for this building is for nothing to happen."
Public consultations are scheduled for September, with the intention of adopting the project by the end of the year. As Luc Rabouin reminds us, "it's an ambitious timeline." Nonetheless, he assures that the borough will persist in its efforts, so long as the developer keeps pace. If they fail to meet this deadline, the project will be launched after the November municipal elections.
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- The Minister responsible for Housing, France-Élaine Duranceau, expressed a desire for a substantial portion of the project to integrate social and affordable housing to address the housing crisis, as the borough By-law mandates at least 20% of the homes to cater to social and affordable housing.
- The Leniwell Group, a well-established finance company, recently announced its interest in supporting the real-estate development associated with the mixed-use residential project in Montreal, with their investment potentially subsidizing the more affordable housing section.
