Abandoned for more than 25 years, the emblematic silo number 5 could accommodate an urban farm in the coming years. The Canada Lands Company (SIC), owner of the premises, selected the project carried out by the promoter Devimco and the investment company Inerjys for the development of the building.
The project involves the construction of a vertical farm, “the largest in the world”, for the production of a variety of vegetables, herbs, mushrooms and seaweed, said the To have to Stephan Ouaknine, founder of Inerjys. The company is particularly looking to develop a new market for truffles, he says.
“We have developed a project that respects all the heritage rules of this building. The government had told us that we couldn’t alter the building too much and that we had to preserve the interior. […] The SIC also asked for a project that was linked to the historical use of the building,” explains the businessman. Each silo will house indoor greenhouses arranged vertically in the 200,000 square foot building.
The company relies on local production in order to reduce the ecological footprint of food production. The vegetables produced will be sold in the market set up on the ground floor of the building, which will also include a hotel. They will also be offered to customers of the high-end restaurant at the top of the building. The company also plans to deliver baskets to consumers and enter into agreements with grocery stores.
Inerjys will produce its own electricity thanks to wind turbines installed on the roof, solar panels and a tidal turbine in the river. “We will even have a surplus of energy that will be able to supply the other buildings that will be built next door”, specifies Mr. Ouaknine who indicates that Inerjys has already concluded agreements with partners for agricultural production.
Before carrying out the project, however, Devimco and Inerjys must reach an agreement with the City of Montreal, both for silo number 5 and for the development of the Bridge-Bonaventure sector where Devimco has real estate plans.
It should be noted that in 2019, the federal government launched a call for projects for the development of the Pointe-du-Moulin sector, which includes silo number 5. The proposals received were evaluated by a committee bringing together representatives from the world of tourism, heritage, commerce, and architecture.
SIC confirmed on Tuesday at To have to that Devimco’s project had been selected. “We continue to work with the City of Montreal and Devimco to reach an agreement to begin this development. It’s a complex site with unique needs,” said Marcelo Gomez-Wiuckstern, CLC’s vice-president of communications, by email.