Much care was taken in the development of land adjacent to the Sainte-Anne hospital, bordered by Boulevard des Anciens-Combattants, in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue. Square Bellevue will include 750 condos and rental units surrounded by greenery. It will be designed to appeal to a population aged 55 and over, while aiming for LEED-AQ certification.
“This is our first high-density project,” reveals Paola Hawa, mayor of Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue. There will be a big contrast between this neighborhood and the village of Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, but we made sure to keep the same character. We wanted, despite the height of the buildings, for there to be a good quality of life and for people of a certain age to feel good, in a place that meets their needs. »
PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, THE PRESS
Paola Hawa, mayor of Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, on the site of the future Square Bellevue eco-district
Deploring the fate too often reserved for the elderly, in residences built one at a time, she wanted to innovate. “Our population is aging, like elsewhere in the West Island, which has the highest percentage of aging people in Quebec,” she said. What’s missing is a real village with public spaces where people can go out, play cards, read a book or pick their tomatoes. This is the challenge we wanted to take up, by tackling the issue of isolation. »
By becoming the owner of the surplus land of Sainte-Anne hospital, transferred as part of the transfer of the establishment from the federal government to the provincial government, in 2016, the municipality established an action plan. A lot has been reserved for a medical clinic, built last year. Four other lots, totaling 12.47 acres, were the subject of a call for proposals. Among the requirements was the obligation to aim for LEED-AQ ecological certification (neighborhood development).
ILLUSTRATION PROVIDED BY META DEV
The accommodation will be distributed in buildings of 7 to 10 floors, which will not all be identical. A cycle path will be connected to the existing infrastructure.
The project led by Dév Méta, designed by NEUF architect(e)s, was selected because it reflected particularly well what was sought, explains Mme Hawaii. “They understood that we didn’t want bunkers or a ghetto where all the buildings looked the same,” she explains.
We really wanted each building to have its own character, with different colors, so that it didn’t seem like it was all built at the same time. We also liked that they understood the idea of creating a village, with community gardens, for example, where the medical clinic and the hospital are assets, partners.
Paola Hawa, mayor of Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue
The proximity of students from the Macdonald campus of McGill University, focused on agriculture, will also be used to encourage interactions between different generations, she emphasizes.
ILLUSTRATION PROVIDED BY META DEV
The condominium complex put up for sale in June will feature many attractive common areas.
Evolutionary neighborhood
Square Bellevue will be built in four phases starting next February and will include buildings of 7 to 10 floors. Initially, 170 condominium apartments spread across a two-building complex, so as not to appear massive, were put up for sale in June. Among the many common areas will be a lounge with a pool table, shared work spaces – perfect in the evening for playing bridge -, a library, two separate areas for exercising, a swimming pool with a hot tub and sauna. Outside, a large landscaped courtyard and a pétanque court will be set up.
Another complex also subdivided into two buildings and comprising 190 rental housing units (of which at least 15% will be affordable) is also in preparation, as is a private residence for seniors (RPA). The latter will offer 240 rental housing units. In the fourth phase, the use of the 150 units will be determined by demand.
ILLUSTRATION PROVIDED BY META DEV
Pedestrian paths surrounded by greenery will make you want to walk.
“Everything is oriented to create a connection with nature, encourage walking and have affordable typologies for an aging clientele,” indicates Dominique Dubuc, project director at Dév Méta.
A large proportion of our rental units will be either adapted or adaptable so that someone can live there for a long time.
Dominique Dubuc, project director at Dév Méta
“There was phenomenal teamwork with the City and several partners to make this project stand out from the others and truly become a neighborhood for people aged 55 and over, where people of different ages will be able to develop,” emphasizes Michel Guilbault. , vice-president of Dev Meta. We will leave a legacy for generations to come and we hope to be able to repeat it elsewhere. »
ILLUSTRATION PROVIDED BY META DEV
Overall plan of the vast land next to Sainte-Anne hospital where Square Bellevue will be built. The project, led by Dév Méta, has four phases (lots 2 to 5). The medical clinic in Lot 1 was built last year.
Square Bellevue is aiming for LEED-AQ certification. This approval pursues several objectives: reducing urban sprawl, reducing dependence on automobiles, promoting efficient use of energy and water, encouraging walking, improving air quality and protecting the environment. . Each of the buildings will have to achieve objectives in terms of energy efficiency, effective water management and eco-responsible landscaping, specifies Dominique Dubuc.
For Dév Méta, Square Bellevue represents an investment of more than 300 million. Condo owners and tenants in the first two phases are expected to move in in early 2026, while the seniors residence is expected to open in late 2026 or early 2027. The fourth phase will follow.