Shopping centers in Quebec are evolving into vibrant residential communities, with developers like Carbonleo and Trudel Corporation leading the charge. Projects such as Royalmount and Fleur de lys aim to create car-free living environments that emphasize convenience and accessibility. This shift towards mixed-use developments caters to modern lifestyles, allowing residents to enjoy amenities and transportation options within close proximity. The “15-minute city” concept further drives this transformation, making it essential for shopping centers to adapt to changing urban needs.
Transforming Shopping Centers into Vibrant Communities
The notion of residing within a shopping center is fast becoming a reality, as an increasing number of Quebec residents choose to make their homes in these integrated complexes. This emerging trend is gaining traction in various cities across the province.
Claude Marcotte, executive vice president and partner at Carbonleo, the developer behind Royalmount, highlights a key aspect of this movement: “The concept is centered around a car-free lifestyle, where individuals can live, work, and enjoy leisure activities all in one location.”
Set at the crossroads of highways 15 and 40 in Montreal, the ambitious Royalmount project aims to introduce a residential component by 2027, which will encompass approximately 6,000 housing units, pending city approvals. “Our objective is to cultivate a community that offers seamless connectivity to transportation networks, embodying modern urban living,” he adds.
Convenience at Your Doorstep
In Quebec City, Trudel Corporation is spearheading the transformation of shopping centers into residential havens, with three ongoing projects: Fleur de lys, which will welcome its first residents next March with a total of 3,500 units; Place des Quatre Bourgeois, which will feature 1,500 units; and Galeries Charlesbourg, also with 1,500 units.
Mario Daigle, spokesperson for Trudel, shares his excitement, stating, “I can live there and do my grocery shopping in slippers.” This lifestyle, characterized by proximity to various amenities, is increasingly appealing to many residents across the province, as noted by the Urban Development Institute of Quebec (IDU).
“This trend is becoming more prominent as cities evolve. It’s about redeveloping urban spaces to achieve higher density in areas equipped with existing facilities. Shopping centers already benefit from public transport access, catering to the growing demand for convenience,” explains IDU CEO Isabelle Melançon.
Kevin Dalpé, a proud condo owner at Solar Uniquartier in Brossard since 2023, enjoys the perks of this lifestyle: “I don’t have to bundle up in a coat or winter boots. I can simply slip on my flip-flops and go anywhere.” His routine includes attending spinning classes, grabbing coffee at Starbucks, catching a hockey game at La Cage aux Sports, and commuting to his job in Montreal in just 18 minutes—all without stepping outside.
The “15-minute city” concept, which ensures residents can access essential services within a quarter of an hour, is driving a significant shift in the function of shopping centers. These centers have faced challenges from the rise of e-commerce and the pandemic’s impact on remote work and lifestyle changes.
François Des Rosiers, a professor at Laval University’s Faculty of Administration Sciences, asserts the need for transformation: “There is a pressing requirement for change; it’s a matter of survival. The traditional model of isolated shopping centers is no longer viable; mixed-use developments offer a pathway to attract visitors and enhance profitability.”