Real estate developers plan to increase the density of the Bridge-Bonaventure sector, in the south-west of Montreal, with residential towers that will be able to include some 7,500 apartments.
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The Bridge-Bonaventure project notably provides for the construction of 7,500 new housing units, including the development of 1,400 family housing units, with a proportion of 20% social housing. All accompanied in particular by parks, public spaces and local shops.
A dozen real estate developers are associated with the project, which would require investments of several billion dollars.
“You have to put the context. We do not present a project, we present a development vision scenario. Nor is an architectural concept presented. We wanted to place urban requalification on the basis of guiding principles,” summarized Brian Fahey, one of the spokespersons for the group of promoters.
They presented their vision for the sector. According to them, this is the first time that such a large group has come together to think about the development of a district.
“It was time to show the City, together, in a concerted way, what the private sector has to offer,” explained Serge Goulet, president of Groupe Devimco.
The City of Montreal had indicated its expectations for Bridge-Bonaventure. According to the promoters, however, the development in density will make it possible to build almost twice as much housing, while reducing the influence that the buildings will have on the ground, which will allow the development of more green spaces.
“The introduction of tall buildings is necessary in order to allow maximum clearance on the ground for the benefit of the quality of the living environment. But the height can be inspired by nuanced models and be complementary to the profile of the city centre, ”said Brian Fahey, one of the spokespersons for the group of promoters.
Especially since the development will require significant investments, of several hundred million dollars, to decontaminate the land and restore the heritage. Costs that promoters will have to pay, who are pleading to ensure that the project can also be profitable for them.
“When we have intelligent densification, you allow for social and environmental benefits, but also economic benefits that we need,” said Mr. Goulet. He believes that everyone can find their account and come out a winner.
To implement their vision, the promoters drew inspiration from examples such as Cambridge, Hamburg, Chicago and Sidney.
To consult
The high-level reflection on this project, unveiled on Tuesday, will be fueled by a consultative process with community, economic and citizen groups over the coming weeks.
The Urban Development Institute of Quebec (IDU), which is part of the group, has set up an expert committee whose mandate will be to add an “independent and objective view” on the development of the site.
At the same time, the Office de consultation publique de Montréal (OCPM) will hold a public consultation on the sector’s master plan in the fall.
Covering 2.3 km2, the sector is located near Old Montreal, in the southwest of the city. It notably includes the Peel and Wellington basins and the Pointe-Saint-Charles triangle.