Residential buildings | Building bridges between generations

High-rise apartment buildings naturally welcome residents of all ages. Friendships are forged spontaneously. Or not. To encourage interactions between the generations, original projects are set up.

Danielle Bonneau
Press

Exchanges between neighbors

In some cases, such as the new Mellem rental building in Brossard, very strong ties already exist between tenants. This is the case between Caroline Julien and Allan Beaupré, who had their little Meghan on September 8 and who now count among their neighbors the parents of the new mother, Ginette Boisjoly and Christian Julien. The two couples fit in perfectly with the atmosphere seeking to be created in the resort, whose upper floors are still under construction.

“It was I who had the idea of ​​convincing my in-laws to come and live on the same floor,” says Allan Beaupré. This is their first granddaughter and by a combination of circumstances, they had to leave their home. But beyond the pleasure of spending time together, I felt an opening, within the rental office, as soon as I announced that we were expecting a child. I was drawn to the multigenerational vibe that wanted to be created. After signing the lease, we were sent a form to find out what we would like to have in terms of activities and services. Never has an owner asked me that. ”

Many of the planned activities will not get underway until next spring, but it is clear in the mind of Hugo Girard-Beauchamp, president and founder of Maître Carré, who plans to launch other rental buildings under the Mellem brand, that exchanges between neighbors from all walks of life and all ages will be encouraged. The first part of his bet is won, in Brossard, since the tenants are between a few weeks and 92 years old (including the two recently born babies). But his vision is much more ambitious.

“We didn’t invent anything,” he admits. By the nature of things, neighbors often become friends. Our job is to get people to quickly understand their affinities. We want to put in place tools that will promote the commitment of residents to create a community. For example, we’re working with an application right now that helps residents know what’s going on in the building and allows them to talk to each other. Recently a lady who had a dog wanted to meet other people with dogs, to make dog dates. People get on board. ”

Decompartmentalize

Following surveys, the Selection Group has found that 80% of people want to live in complexes where several generations come together, reveals Audrey Anne Bouclin, senior director, innovation, within the company. The latter began a shift five years ago by targeting a wider range of clienteles in its rental properties under the Yimby (for under 35), hoop (for singles, couples and families), Waltz (for 55 years and over) and Sélection Retraite.

The Espace Montmorency complex, under construction in Laval, will innovate by not including any building reserved for retirees. The 717 rental apartments (to which will be added office and commercial space) will be spread over 3 buildings targeting millennials, families and people aged 55 and over who are very active. Each building will have common areas intended for its own clientele. For the first time, other spaces will also be made available to all tenants.

“We really have an intergenerational vision, which will result in the creation of residential complexes, which will encourage diversity,” explains M^me Buckle. At Espace Montmorency, for example, there will be a heated outdoor swimming pool and a sports terrace with running tracks and a playground, accessible to everyone, for young and old to connect together. We are used to creating living environments in our complexes for retirees. We believe in promoting the implementation of activities that will appeal to different generations, such as pétanque tournaments. As we have seen elsewhere, people will also get involved to tell us what activities they want to find and we will support them. “

As in Europe

The Newman, which Cogir Immobilier is building in collaboration with Welltower in LaSalle, near Angrignon Park, also aims to bring people together. The complex will include buildings with various vocations (condominiums, rental apartments and apartments for seniors), which will each have their own recreational spaces. A pavilion including, among other things, a game room, a shared workspace, a training room and bowling alleys will also be available to everyone.

“We felt an opening in the Humaniti complex, in downtown Montreal,” says Tina Dostie, vice-president, sales, marketing and customer service, at Cogir Immobilier. Condo owners and renters get together in the cafe, and they work well together. We want to go further at the Newman. We are inspired by what we have seen in Europe, where generations cohabit and mix a lot. “

Like the community

In the social and community environment, many efforts are made to promote the cohabitation of various types of clienteles, often within the same building. In 2010, in Ahuntsic, thanks to the transformation of a former convent that belonged to the Gray Nuns, the development of an interior courtyard conducive to intergenerational meetings attracted international attention. The green space serves as a link between Habitat 1460, reserved for elderly people with loss of autonomy, and the Rousselot Cooperative, created for families and small households. The construction of the complex had been entrusted to Bâtir son quartier.

“The projects are born from the communities, where they are established,” points out Charles Guindon, development officer within the organization. The challenge is to always maintain links with the community and to break isolation, while meeting different types of needs. ”

The Convergence Griffintown project, which is supported by the Espace La Traversée organization and which will be carried out by Bâtir son quartier, is particularly ambitious. Still on the drawing board, the 17-storey building should have 275 housing units for young families, the elderly and people with reduced mobility.

Visit the Mellem Brossard site Consult the Espace Montmorency site Consult the Newman site Consult the Bâtir son quartier site