A thousand LEED rental housing units, under the new Exal brand. This is the major project that the firms Construgep and Groupe Mach are planning in the greater Montreal region, with the construction of four new residential complexes.
Active separately, the Construgep and Groupe Mach firms have been multiplying joint projects for a dozen years. In their first partnership, the two companies built energy-efficient affordable housing and made homeownership easier. This time, 1,040 LEED rental housing units will be distributed across four rental complexes strategically located near train and metro stations in Montreal, Laval and Longueuil.
Stéphane L’Espérance, president of Construgep, is on familiar ground since his company built the first LEED-certified mid-rise residential complex in Quebec, Les Habitations Communautés Loggia, the result of the transformation of the former Bellechasse hospital.
PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, THE PRESS
Stéphane L’Espérance, president of Construgep, built among others with Groupe Mach 215 community housing units in Pointe-Saint-Charles. The two companies will once again be partners to build a thousand LEED rental apartments under the Exal brand.
“It was a good school,” underlines the developer with an atypical background, which has its roots in social housing. A former aid worker for the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), he first worked on construction sites before returning to school to become an architect.
He also continues to build social housing. Construgep, with Groupe Mach, is currently building 215 units in Pointe-Saint-Charles (NBL Habitation Héritage and Pointe Amicale housing cooperative, with the support of Bâtir son Quartier), aiming for Novoclimat certification.
The two companies are now entering into a new form of partnership.
“We see what’s happening and we have to do something collectively,” says Stéphane L’Espérance, who is thinking about the future of his two grown children. I think that as promoters, we have a social responsibility. Doing LEED is a step forward in reducing greenhouse gases. The entire source of materials is controlled, waste is controlled, energy efficiency is controlled. Managing a construction site is not always easy. You have to make an effort. »
I also want to raise awareness among future tenants, so that they know that they are in a place that takes care of the environment. I want them to be proud of it, and they won’t pay more than their neighbors. It’s a mini-gesture which, added to others, will make a difference.
Stéphane L’Espérance, president of Construgep
An “exhilarating” project
ILLUSTRATION PROVIDED BY CONSTRUGEP
The Exal brand’s residential complexes will aim for LEED certification and will include numerous attractive common areas. In particular, terraces will be set up on the roofs.
Construgep and Groupe Mach, jointly with Geiger Huot Architectes, are planning the construction of 1,040 rental housing units, distributed in four complexes strategically located in the Montreal region. The first project will be that of the Exal NDG and will start in October, near the Montreal-West station (207 rental housing units). This will be followed by the start of construction on the Exal De la Concorde, near De la Concorde station, in Laval, at the beginning of 2024 (268 rental housing units). Construction of the Exal Longueuil, near the Longueuil–Saint-Hubert station, should begin in spring 2024 (136 rental housing units). The most imposing complex will be located west of the Assomption metro station, rue Sherbrooke Est. Construction of the Exal Quartier Olympique should begin in fall 2024 (429 rental housing units).
Exal… as in exhilarating, explains Stéphane L’Espérance, who ensures to offer two accommodations adapted for people with reduced mobility and two adaptable accommodations in each location.
Collective gardens on the roof, watered by collecting rainwater, are among the long list of common spaces that will be developed. Sharing of electric cars of various formats will also be offered.
“It’s fun to see developers who embark on the LEED certification process because they are motivated and not because they are obliged,” indicates Emmanuel Cosgrove, general director of the Écohabitation organization, which supports builders. and Quebec developers wishing to obtain LEED certification for homes.
“Construgep and Groupe Mach surround themselves with innovative designers, particularly in mechanical engineering to ensure good air quality, with means that we do not often see,” he explains. They are making an effort to exceed the requirements of the new Régie du logement code in terms of energy efficiency. They are also making efforts to reduce water consumption, to manage waste and to fight against heat islands by greening around buildings, but also by casting shade on buildings and planting trees. We notice all kinds of things that are not obvious, but which have a real lasting ecological impact and an impact on health. »
The appeal of LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is far from running out of steam, he notes. “Urban multi-unit buildings aiming for LEED certification are increasing in the greater Montreal region, even in Laval. Things are also happening a lot in the Outaouais. Motivations vary. Sometimes, especially when they keep buildings to rent them out, developers understand that it can be profitable to have better constructed buildings, which require less maintenance. Other times, promoters just want to do well. They have children and grandchildren and they think about everyone’s future. They have an epiphany and they make great plans. We won’t say no! »