The City of Montreal has selected local developers UTILE and Mondev to move forward with a major redevelopment of the former Voyageur bus terminal site, known as Îlot Voyageur Sud (Voyageur Island South.)

If all goes according to plan, project will feature approximately 1,000 rental-housing units, with more than half designated as off-market housing, aligning with the city’s vision for sustainable urban growth.

The city said it will now proceed with the next steps in negotiating the terms and conditions of the sale of the site, which is located near downtown Montreal and well-connected to public transit.

“This redevelopment project on the Îlot Voyageur Sud site is a concrete way of accelerating residential construction, particularly off-market, and responding to the housing crisis that is particularly severe in the downtown area,” said Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante in a news release.

“It shows that we’re making unparalleled efforts to meet needs and ensure mixed-use neighbourhoods.”

The approved proposal envisions a high-rise building between 14 and 20 storeys. Approximately 430 of the affordable units will be dedicated to students.

Additionally, the Maison des gens de lettres (House of People of Letters), a social-housing initiative supported by a coalition of literary and community stakeholders, will offer 100 non-profit housing units.

Plante said the “ambitious project” will revitalize the Latin Quarter and Village districts while ensuring sustainable affordability in the downtown Montreal area.

Benoit Dorais, vice-president of the city’s executive committee responsible for finance and property assessment, housing, real estate strategy, and legal affairs, touted the project’s potential.

“We have everything we need to build an attractive neighbourhood where people will want to settle,” he said. “This project meets the objectives of the Downtown Strategy, which places a strong emphasis on revitalizing key areas such as the Quartier Latin and the Village. We’re also keen to keep up the pace with the construction of family and non-market housing, both social and affordable. By using the levers at our disposal, we want to ensure that non-market housing projects continue to see the light of day throughout the metropolis.”

In addition to revitalizing the Latin Quarter, the project will meet a variety of housing needs in the area, said Laurent Levesque, president and CEO of UTILE.

“Through our innovative partnership [with Mondev], we are able to exceed the objectives of the initial call for projects by developing 50% non-profit housing on the site. The Quartier Latin was the birthplace of UTILE, and our commitment to student housing is stronger than ever.

“The innovation of our partnership is key to delivering an optimal project in the shortest possible timeframe,” said Jordan Owen, director and partner at Mondev while acknowledging the complexity of the project.

The project will include retail, other commercial, and community spaces on the ground floor.

Pictured: Former Voyageur bus terminal site near downtown Montreal.

Photo: Agora Montreal