Rachel Julien Launches First Two Phases of Canoe Mixed-Use Project
Rachel Julien has launched the first two phases of its Canoe mixed-use residential development project in Montreal.
The project is located at 4500 rue Hochelaga in the city’s Mercier—Hochelaga-Maisonneuve district. The launch coincided with the company’s 30th anniversary celebration.
“Rachel Julien’s mission has always been to create living spaces that meet the needs of citizens, and we are honoured to continue this mission today, particularly through the Canoe project,” said Mélanie Robitaille, the Montreal-based development company’s vice-president and general manager.
Units in Canoe can now be reserved for both sale and rent.
The project is designed to address critical housing needs in Montreal, offering a combination of about 900 affordable and social housing, condominiums, local shops, a childcare centre, and public spaces. At its heart, the development will also feature public art and a park, emphasizing community and sustainability.
Rachel Julien’s launch of the project comes at a crucial time, as Montreal faces ongoing challenges in its real estate market, said the company. High construction costs, worsened by the pandemic, have major challenges to affordable housing.
Despite these hurdles, said Rachel Julien, the company has successfully advanced Canoe through close collaboration with municipal authorities, community organizations, and local residents.
Benoit Dorais, vice-chairman of the City of Montreal’s executive committee, and Soraya Martinez, the federal tourism minister and Hochelaga riding’s MP, indicated in a Rachel Julien news release that their governments supported the project. But no details on any kind of municipal or federal assistance were announced in the news release.
Rendering: Rachel Julien