At night, downtown Montreal shines with a thousand lights and serves as a setting for the Samuel-De Champlain Bridge, the Biosphere and the Jacques-Cartier Bridge, each highlighted in their own way. Since mid-September, the Novia rental complex, built very close to the metro station in Longueuil, has been integrated into the nighttime landscape, with the firm intention of getting noticed.
“I live in Saint-Lambert and I find it magnificent to see the lighting that evolves according to the issues,” explains Annie Lemieux, president of LSR Gesdev, which created Novia in partnership with the FTQ Real Estate Solidarity Fund and a group of private investors, including the big boss of the company LMPG (formerly known as Lumenpulse).
LMPG technology and products are used to illuminate (among others) the Jacques-Cartier and Samuel-De Champlain bridges.
PHOTO BERNARD BRAULT, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
The Jacques-Cartier Bridge lit up at nightfall, in May 2021
A series of factors led the entrepreneur to attach importance to the lighting of the building complex, which includes two towers of 10 and 20 floors, and includes 357 rental housing units, offices and a few restaurants. Its location weighed in the balance.
“I would not have done it for a project in the middle of a park, surrounded by single-family houses,” she explains. But the site is in the continuum of the Jacques-Cartier Bridge. After being approached by a group who wanted to paint murals, I thought that the visual art I would like to put forward is an art with light. As we had access to LMPG’s expertise, we asked them to create a sober design, which would ensure that our building could experience the same emotions as society. »
PHOTO OLIVIER JEAN, THE PRESS
Annie Lemieux, president of LSR Gesdev, likes to innovate and think outside the box.
There is a basic program, but 8 to 10 times a year, we will follow the programs for the Samuel-De Champlain Bridge and the Jacques-Cartier Bridge. There’s Halloween, the holiday season, where it’s red and green, there’s Valentine’s Day, there’s Pride. Otherwise, the basic lighting is white. It’s not colorful like the bridge, but bright accents give character to the building, which stands out.
Annie Lemieux, president of LSR Gesdev
She takes the opportunity to pay tribute to Yves Émond, co-founder of the Forme Studio Architecture agency, who died during the pandemic when he was only 50 years old. “During the creation period, he told me that he always wants his projects to be beautiful and that he wants to be proud of them, but that this one was special. He couldn’t miss his shot, because he would be seen everywhere. When I see the Novia, it reminds me that we managed to do something beautiful. The effect of the lighting and the desire to bring the building to life make it even more endearing. »
PHOTO OLIVIER JEAN, THE PRESS
The sober and thoughtful lighting of the Novia rental complex in Longueuil highlights its architecture at night. The programming is expected to change eight to ten times per year, to align with what makes society tick.
A reflection of the urbanization of Longueuil
The Novia is the result of extensive eco-responsible thinking, aimed at prioritizing the well-being of tenants, notes Mme The best. The pride of living in a building with great presence is part of the equation.
“Quality of life involves many things,” says M.me The best. Comfort, which results from our approach linked to sustainable development, contributes to the well-being of occupants, thanks to the quality of the building envelope and windows, and heat recovery to avoid temperature variations. There is also the advantage of having everything, very close, whether parks, public transport, schools, restaurants, cycle paths, major roads. Then there is what we put in the building to make the tenants happy, such as the terraces, green spaces, home theater, collective kitchen, gym, swimming pool, etc. Tenants began moving in in June. The project is the first to be inhabited in the heart of the new downtown Longueuil and is part of the City’s 2035 vision. »
This desire to create a living environment pleased François-Xavier Souvay, big boss of the LMPG company, which operates all over the world. Having known Annie Lemieux for a long time, he invested in Novia through his private investment company. He is proud that the company he founded is shining a light on the housing complex.
PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, ARCHIVES SPECIAL COLLABORATION
François-Xavier Souvay, big boss of LMPG and one of the private investors in Novia, is proud that the company he founded is highlighting the real estate complex.
Lighting brings life to a place. During the day, we see the subtleties of the architecture, while at night, architectural lighting gives it a more dramatic perspective, which helps establish an emotional connection with the building. This must be done soberly and intelligently. We’re not in Las Vegas!
François-Xavier Souvay, founder, president and CEO of LMPG
Through its lighting, the Novia establishes a connection with the Jacques-Cartier Bridge and other architectural icons of Montreal, he emphasizes. “The intention is that it is in harmony with its environment and that an urban link is created with the city. On the South Shore, there are no other buildings lit like this. It is a reminder of the urbanization of the city of Longueuil. »