The pandemic has convinced many Quebecers to get closer to nature, which has worsened the housing shortage in areas like the Laurentians. What if better access to a roof and to nature went through neighborhoods built in the middle of the woods? This is what LIVE Immobilier is offering with a project of 82 “horizontal” triplexes in Sainte-Adèle.
Posted at 12:00 p.m.
The 5.8 million square foot land features four peaks, a waterway, wetlands and thousands of trees. And by the end of the decade, nearly 250 housing units should appear in this typical Laurentian landscape, less than 5 km from downtown Sainte-Adèle.
IMAGE PROVIDED BY DEVICE ARCHITECTURE
The “horizontal” triplexes will be arranged differently depending on the topography of each lot.
The Relief North project, which received the approval of the city council in September, provides for terraced houses built in groups of three on 246 lots of nearly 40,000 sq.ft.2 on average. Each unit, mostly for rent, will offer an area of approximately 1430 sq.ft.2 and at least two bedrooms. Everyone will have their own door and a small private courtyard. And can also enjoy common areas (multi-use pavilion, community gardens).
However, the project stands out by offering privileged access to nature. The promoters will keep 1.3 million square feet of forest, which will become a private park open to all and hiking, cross-country skiing or biking trails, maintained by the organization Plein air Sainte-Adèle (PASA). About 85% of the forest cover will be preserved.
LIVE Immobilier expects to carry out this project of at least $125 million in four phases over the next “five or six years”. The marketing should take place at the beginning of next year. One thing is certain, demand is strong in a region where the pandemic has encouraged population growth and aggravated the housing shortage.
Experience
This is a first project of this scale for Sylvain and Alexandre Blanchard, father and son, who founded LIVE Immobilier, both developer and builder of Relief nord, in 2018, just before selling their respective roofing and construction businesses. ‘landscaping.
The two partners made their classes in real estate by renovating apartment buildings in Montreal to resell them. As owners, the Blanchards say they have always tried to help tenants who resigned themselves to leaving, sometimes even by finding them a new home. But it was a daunting task that ended up discouraging them. In July 2021, a former tenant was found dead a few months after his eviction from a building on rue Bélanger that LIVE had just sold before transforming it. The case was reported in the media. “Even evicted, this tenant should not have been left to himself,” laments Alexandre Blanchard.
From now on, LIVE Immobilier wants to build something new. “There is the rise in interest rates and the market which has changed with the pandemic, but the human factor explains 75% or 80% of our decision”, explains the 30-year-old man.
find allies
The Blanchards wanted to surround themselves well for Relief nord. In particular, they joined the firm Apparatus architecture to design the future houses. “It’s not the kind of project we usually do, but I really liked their willingness to think about housing in kind,” says Kim Pariseau, founding architect. We spent six months talking to find the right model. »
PHOTO PROVIDED BY APPAREIL ARCHITECTURE
Kim Pariseau, founding architect of Apparatus architecture
Rather than making lots of single-family homes, since the developers wanted to keep natural spaces, we developed the idea of the horizontal triplex. Each accommodation remains in direct connection with the land. A landscape architect will help us improve the views.
Kim Pariseau, architect
The reflection also focused on social diversity, with units intended for young families and others for couples looking for a certain comfort.
IMAGE PROVIDED BY DEVICE ARCHITECTURE
The layout of the units, with their sloping roofs of varying volumes, will protect the privacy of their occupants while offering views of the surrounding forest.
The sketches show houses with steep roofs. We recognize the style of the Montreal firm, which notably designed the chalets of the Beside project, also built in the middle of the forest, in Lanaudière.
The rugged topography will force Apparatus to get creative. The layout of the units will vary from group to group, and some will no doubt be built on stilts. “When arriving on the site, we want to give the impression that the houses have always been there, not that it is a series of similar buildings,” explains the architect.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
The Relief North land is located between Highway 15 and Highway 117. A park on the side of the highway will reduce traffic noise for residents.
A model to follow
Without knowing the project in detail, Gianpiero Moretti, professor at the School of Architecture at Laval University, welcomes the desire to share access to nature.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY GIANPIERO MORETTI
Gianpiero Moretti, professor of architecture and urban design at the School of Architecture of Laval University
Yes, we’re going to encroach into the woods, but it’s a path to explore. There is an ever greater demand for nature since the pandemic. A project like this, with more collective access, is interesting.
Gianpiero Moretti, professor of architecture and urban design at the School of Architecture of Laval University
The relative density of the project can also support less polluting infrastructures, rejoices the professor. All Relief Nord units will indeed be connected to the water distribution network and the sewer. “When each house in a development has its own septic tank, the land ends up being polluted,” he explains.
The downside, according to Mr. Moretti, is that residents will have to take their car to go shopping in Sainte-Adèle. Zoning currently prohibits businesses in the area.
PHOTO MIGUEL MEDINA, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE ARCHIVES
The vertical Bosco of Milan, left
The relationship between housing and nature deserves to be further explored in Quebec, continues the professor. In Europe, it is not uncommon to see eco-districts built between strips of forest or countryside, sometimes at the edge of the city. “In Milan, we even bring nature into the city, with the vertical Bosco, a building that almost becomes a tree,” says Mr. Moretti. Until now, we have opposed nature and buildings, but we really feel that there is a way to mix the two. »