While residential building projects are breaking ground, configurations are taking shape around a new reality: investing in common spaces is no longer just an added value, but a necessity. A look at the trends that mark this new era.
The Mellem brand is showing up with a new rental unit project near the Frontenac metro station. The Mellem Ville-Marie, which will be finalized in the spring of 2024, offers “efficient” housing, without excessive size, and relies on socialization between residents in its shared areas. Among other things, there is a large terrace with a vegetable garden, a shared kitchen, shared workspaces and a green interior courtyard where children can play in complete safety.
This community vision, Mellem had it before COVID-19. The pandemic will however have accentuated the trend, notes the president of Maître Carré, Hugo Girard-Beauchamp, who is working on the development of Ville-Marie.
Building relationships is good for the happiness of the community and for the retention of our residents.
Hugo Girard-Beauchamp, president of Maître Carré
Real estate developer Broccolini, which has three condo buildings under construction downtown – the luxurious 628 Saint-Jacques, the Sherbrooke and the Victoria sur le parc – agrees. “The house is no longer a box where you come to eat and sleep,” observes its director of residential development, Adam Martelli. Our residents invest in common places more than before. We want them to feel at home there. »
EDITING EXTRACTED FROM THE SIR CHARLES WEBSITE
The warm lobby of the Sir Charles, in Longueuil
Inoculating this feeling of “home” is done through a design that is less formal and minimalist than before, adds William Atkinson. “The atmosphere is set by muted lighting, warm materials, the addition of a fireplace or intimate areas, gives the example of the director of architecture and real estate intelligence at Groupe Devimco. We also reserve a privileged location for these shared areas in the building so that all residents can benefit from a spectacular view or generous light. »
Shared workspaces
ASSEMBLY SUPPLIED BY MAÎTRE CARRÉ
Mellem Ville-Marie Collaborative Space
“We have always included office furniture in the accommodations,” notes the rental director at Maître Carré, Étienne Payette-Lebeau. With the pandemic, thinking has evolved to provide better service and ensure people can work away from home. »
The Mellem Ville-Marie refines the formula with its Collaborative Space adjacent to the café. Its residents can work alone or in pairs in the open area or in closed cubicles. The place also includes a conference room that can be used by all residents by reservation, up to twice a week, as is the case at Nobel and Oria (phases II), in Solar Uniquartier, in Brossard. “We now know that telework is a reality that will remain, underlines William Atkinson. In this new context, the space devoted to work becomes a priority in all our new projects. Everything is reflected there, from the acoustics to the light. »
Urban agriculture
EDITING EXTRACTED FROM THE ORIA WEBSITE
The Oria garden area
More than ever, people want to get their hands dirty, and the waiting lists for community gardens are long, notes Hugo Girard-Beauchamp. A sixty gardening containers will occupy a large part of the Ville-Marie’s 6,000 square feet of terrace. Residents will be able to grow fruits and vegetables on this Agricultural Promenade, which has been favored over the swimming pool.
The vegetable garden will also be integrated into phase II of the Auguste & Louis Condominiums, on the former site of Radio-Canada. Large tables will be added to the grow boxes for gardening workshops, harvest sharing and dinners reminiscent of impromptu alley parties.
Promote active transportation
EDITING EXTRACTED FROM THE RACHEL CONDOMINIUMS WEBSITE
The Rachel Condominiums
The Rachel Condominiums is erected in Shops Angus in the Rosemont district. About sixty units, essentially two- and three-bedroom units, are aimed at families with an affordable offer. “It’s a common-sense project,” says architect Alexandre Blouin, of the firm Blouin Tardif, who designed the project. Since we are next to the bike paths, we have provided a nice storage space for the bikes on the ground floor, and not just in the basement as is often the case. Some buildings also offer bike repair stations, while Place Saint-Charles in Brossard offers a car sharing system to encourage customers to give up their second car.
A fully-equipped kitchen
EDITING EXTRACTED FROM THE MAESTRIA WEBSITE
The Master’s dining room
Communal dining rooms with kitchens are increasingly common and offer the possibility of hosting large groups. At the Éolia project in Brossard, tenants gather around the island to cook together. “Montrealers also love their terrace,” says Adam Martelli. These green spaces, often equipped with barbecues and large tables, allow all residents to enjoy the summer and evenings under the stars.
Well-being more than ever
EDITING EXTRACTED FROM THE NOBEL CONDOMINIUMS WEBSITE
The Nobel Condominiums
The training room has always been a sensitive point, notes William Atkinson. “Reaching as many residents as possible involves keeping abreast of the latest trends in the field, such as crossfit or multimedia terminals with virtual trainers. At Maestria Condominiums, you can play alone or with others in virtual golf.
In larger buildings, indoor or rooftop pools are still the norm. The projects stand out by offering waterfalls, paddling areas or infinite pools. “To choose, we favor the number of places to stretch out, even if it means making concessions on the size of the swimming pool”, adds the architect.
Attentions appreciated
EDITING EXTRACTED FROM THE MAESTRIA WEBSITE
With its 40,000 square feet of living space, the Maestria project pushes the experience further with a concept focused on the arts and gastronomy: piano lounge, dining room that can accommodate a chef or caterer, reading room, artists’ studio, small movie theatre, spas and other wellness-focused facilities.
Dog owners are happy to find grooming stations in certain buildings: a charming “extra”. As for the delivery management service, it has become essential with the rise of e-commerce. Groupe Devimco systematically installs smart lockers in its new buildings, where delivery people leave parcels without there being any risk of theft or confusion.
In a previous version of this text, it was written that the Sir Charles Condominiums had a coworking space, but this is not the case. Our apologies.