A 20-storey real estate project that could see the light of day in derogation of urban planning regulations in an area of heritage value in the Griffintown district worries several residents as well as the Héritage Montréal organization, who fear that it will serve as a “precedent”. in the frantic development along the Lachine Canal.
Acquired in 2019 for the sum of 20 million dollars by two real estate companies, the site of the former Lucky Luke stable, on rue des Bassins, is destined to become a real estate project of 295 residential condominiums which will also include commercial premises on the ground floor. The real estate project, piloted by Omnia Technologies and the Claridge company, of the Bronfman family, is still only at preliminary plans. The height proposed for it has, however, continued to increase in recent months, going from 44 to a maximum of 60 meters, according to the latest version of the project.
However, the urban planning by-law for this sector west of the Peel Basin, whose territory to the east is much more developed, provides for a maximum building height of 25 meters, or the equivalent of 8 storeys. The Jacques-Viger Committee, the body responsible for issuing recommendations to the City and its boroughs in matters of architecture and urban planning, has thus issued two unfavorable opinions over the months, which is located in an “area of exceptional value”, near an “intact” archaeological site.
The organization expressed concern about the potential repercussions of the development on the views of the Lachine Canal and on the harmony with the surrounding built environment, which it could overshadow.
“It is certain that this causes a change in the landscape and a certain loss of value for the users of the Lachine Canal and the promenades that are around, on each side,” also analyzes the assistant director of policies at Héritage Montréal, Taika Baillargeon.
The fear of a “precedent”
Many residents of Pointe-Saint-Charles, the neighboring district, are also opposed to this project, which was the subject of a written consultation by the Sud-Ouest borough from March 17 to 31. A demonstration was also organized Tuesday evening on the site of this real estate development as part of a movement called “No to 20 floors” of which the resident Sylvain Letellier wants to be the spokesperson.
“If we look at the historical, heritage context of the canal, if we build higher, it crushes all the surrounding buildings”, illustrates Mr. Letellier, who believes that this project risks overshadowing a rich industrial heritage “just to build condos. They are also dozens of residents to oppose this development, including the architect Louise Bédard.
“The project is completely inappropriate for the site,” says Mme Bédard, who fears that this project “sets a precedent” for the development of this sector. A concern shared by Héritage Montréal.
Taïka Baillargeon thus believes that this real estate project, at the heart of the “cradle of industrialization in Canada”, should be the subject of a more in-depth analysis, for example by the Office de consultation publique de Montréal.
A compromise
In recent years, the borough has expressed its wish to turn this site into a park and thus “give this space back to the community as a whole”, pointed out to the Homework Pointe-Saint-Charles Independent Councilor Craig Sauvé. Since this land is now in the hands of real estate developers, the borough sought to find a compromise with them.
This is how the administration of Mayor Benoit Dorais proposed to raise the height of the real estate project so that part of the land would be reserved for a green space, explains Mr. Sauvé. The creation of a tapered tower, rather than an eight-storey wide building, could also limit the impact on the views of the Lachine Canal, he argues, even if Héritage Montréal doubts it.
“Instead of being wide, we are high”, summarizes in an interview the president of Omnia Technologies, Jean-François Beaulieu, who claims to have tried with the borough to “find a project that appeals to everyone” .
“There isn’t a perfect project, but we believe it’s the best option for citizens,” also believes Mr. Sauvé. The developer has also agreed to set aside land that belongs to it, on nearby William Street, for the creation of some fifty social housing units.
Mr. Beaulieu hopes to be able to start this project in the spring of 2023, if he gets the green light from the borough.