1600 Maisonneuve Est Redevelopment Project
location: Montréal, Canada
client: OMNIA technologies
Invited architecture competition
In collaboration with Simard Architectes
The Challenge
The 1600 Maisonneuve Street block is a symbolic site in downtown East Montreal, bearing witness to decades of television production, followed by a long period of vacancy that gradually eroded both tangible and intangible cultural heritage.
Situated between a residential neighborhood to the north and commercial and institutional zones to the south, the block faces several vulnerabilities: lack of greenery, increased heat, low urban permeability, and limited pedestrian connectivity. The challenge lies in reimagining this space to preserve its memory, enhance its sustainability, and create a lively, green central hub integrated into the neighborhood.
The Response
The project proposes a transformative redevelopment that combines heritage preservation with the sustainable transformation of the block, giving it a new residential purpose. It includes several rehabilitated or newly constructed buildings, ranging from affordable housing to contemporary residences, while incorporating greenhouse and urban farming spaces, as well as the heritage enhancement of the Théâtre Arcade.
A north-south green corridor, serving as a signature feature, runs through the block, improving permeability, connectivity, biodiversity, and climate comfort, while integrating a commemorative trail dedicated to Francophone television culture.
Designed with a sustainable strategy approach, the project incorporates measures such as urban heat island reduction, greening, water management, biodiversity enhancement, carbon footprint minimization, promotion of food and energy autonomy, thermal optimization, and greenhouse gas emission reduction, with the goal of achieving an environmental performance certification.
Through this integrated approach, combining heritage, greening, and urban resilience, the project delivers an inclusive, sustainable, and meaningful transformation for the East Downtown area.
Expertise(s)
THINK-TANK & INCUBATOR, DESIGN & INNOVATION
Market(s)