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The launch of the Accès Condos accredited project Faubourg Contrecœur Phase 5 took place on Saturday, September 16. It was blessed by wonderful summer weather and the good spirits of the more than 140 households that turned out for the event, well-determined to reserve the housing unit of their choice. At 7 a.m., there were over 25 people in line and the first ones had been there since 11 a.m. the morning before!

In addition to the developer’s sales team, the Caisse Desjardins’ presence was a first in the launch of an Accès Condos accredited project. Its representatives provided potential buyers with an opportunity to obtain maximum information on mortgage qualification conditions and, in that way, get answers to the many questions in the minds of these future residents of this housing project.

The 3-, 4- and 5-bedroom urban cottages on two levels proved to be very successful. All in all, over half of the 95 units available were reserved. However, « reserved » doesn’t mean « sold », as the buyers must now take steps toward mortgage approval in order to finalize the sale.

Anyone interested in the housing project must contact directly the sales team at 514 891-5200 or visit the sales office at 5200 rue de Contrecœur. For sales office hours or further details of the project, click here.

Reconversion d’un immeuble vacant en ateliers d’artistes
Un projet structurant pour le développement économique et culturel du quartier

M. Réal Ménard, maire de l’arrondissement de Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve et Monsieur Marcel Choquette, président du conseil d’administration d’Ateliers créatifs Montréal ont procédé, aujourd’hui, à l’inauguration du projet Le Ste-Cath, un nouveau pôle créatif du quartier Maisonneuve. Situé au 3890-3910 rue Sainte-Catherine Est, l’ancien édifice vacant, d’une superficie de 27 500 pieds carrés répartis sur deux étages a été réhabilité et transformé en ateliers d’artistes et d’artisans.

« L’ouverture officielle du pôle créatif Le Ste-Cath est une nouvelle étape dans la réalisation de ce projet porteur, tant pour le secteur des arts visuels que pour le quartier dans lequel il s’implante, ajoute Nancy Shoiry, directrice générale de la SHDM. C’est aussi une démonstration concrète des façons de donner vie à une idée avec un partenariat innovant qui s’appuie sur les forces combinées de chacun : le concept artistique des Ateliers créatifs la vision urbanistique de Montréal en tant que métropole culturelle et de l’arrondissement Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, ainsi que l’expertise en immobilier responsable de la SHDM ».

Le projet en chiffres
Dans le cadre d’un partenariat visant le développement d’un projet structurant dans Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, la Société d’habitation et de développement de Montréal (SHDM) a acheté l’immeuble en septembre 2015 en prenant l’engagement de le revendre aux Ateliers créatifs Montréal dans un délai de dix ans à prix et coûts d’acquisition pour un total d’environ 2 174 000 $. En immobilisant les fonds nécessaires à l’achat de l’immeuble et en garantissant un prix de vente fixe à Ateliers créatifs Montréal sur la base d’un plan d’affaires responsable et durable, la SHDM permet la réalisation immédiate du projet et assure sa pérennité en protégeant le projet des risques de spéculation immobilière. Cette échéance laissera également à l’organisme le temps de réunir le capital nécessaire à l’achat de l’immeuble tout en limitant les frais de financement.

Par ailleurs, ce projet de conversion bénéficie du soutien de la Ville de Montréal, grâce à une aide financière de 1,34 M$ du gouvernement du Québec accordée dans le cadre de l’Entente Montréal 2025, administrée par le Secrétariat à la région métropolitaine. Le financement a permis la réalisation des travaux de base ainsi que certaines améliorations locatives pour les ateliers d’artistes. L’imprimerie, centre d’artistes, anciennement Atelier Graff, est soutenu financièrement à hauteur de 415 914 $ par le ministère de la Culture et des Communications dans le cadre de l’Entente Ville-Ministère sur les ateliers d’artistes afin de financer les aménagements adaptés à ses besoins spécifiques. Véritable vecteur de revitalisation pour le sud-ouest d’Hochelaga, cette initiative est d’autant plus structurante qu’elle s’inscrit dans le cadre de la démarche de revitalisation urbaine intégrée (RUI) Hochelaga, une stratégie d’intervention soutenue par la Ville de Montréal.

Un bâtiment tout désigné pour sa nouvelle vocation artistique
D’une superficie de 27 500 pieds carrés répartis sur deux étages, l’immeuble du 3890-3910 de la rue Sainte-Catherine Est est en très bon état et répond aux spécifications techniques recherchées pour l’aménagement d’ateliers d’artistes : une hauteur de plafond suffisante, des planchers de béton, de grandes fenêtres, une capacité portante ainsi qu’une capacité électrique suffisante. En plus de combler un manque d’espaces de création pour les artistes et artisans professionnels déjà présents dans le quartier, la réhabilitation de ce bâtiment permettra à plus d’une centaine de créateurs, ainsi qu’à plus de 70 membres de L’imprimerie, centre d’artistes, de disposer de lieux de travail adéquats, sécuritaires et abordables. Les deux tiers de l’espace seront occupés par des artistes et artisans, et l’autre tiers par des locataires solidaires — professionnels et entreprises — assurant ainsi une certaine mixité d’usage.

À propos d’Ateliers créatifs Montréal
Ateliers créatifs Montréal est un développeur immobilier à but non lucratif fondé en 2007 qui a pour mandat de pérenniser des lieux de travail adéquats, sécuritaires et abordables pour des artistes, artisans et organismes culturels. ACM gère près de 300 000 pieds carrés d’espaces d’ateliers sur le territoire de Montréal à titre de propriétaire, de locataire principal ou de gestionnaire et répond aux besoins d’espaces de créations pour plus de 650 artistes et artisans. www.atelierscreatifs.org

À propos L’imprimerie, centre d’artistes (anciennement Atelier Graff)
L’art commence au moment où il se fait ! L’imprimerie, centre d’artistes est un espace de production voué aux pratiques de l’imprimé et du photographique. Les artistes et créateurs de tous milieux y sont les bienvenus, peu importe leur niveau d’autonomie. L’imprimerie offre à ses membres des espaces de travail, des ressources et des expertises spécialisées, dans une approche personnalisée favorisant le développement professionnel. Elle propose des résidences, des formations, des rencontres et des accompagnements adaptés aux besoins de sa communauté, qui stimulent la recherche et le transfert de savoir-faire. De plus, L’imprimerie privilégie des techniques et des produits respectueux de la santé et de l’environnement et mise sur la collaboration avec d’autres organismes pour bonifier ses actions. www.limprimerie.art

An exhibition highlights its history and its place in the collective memory of Montréal

Inaugurated in 1847, the Marché Bonsecours celebrates its 170 years. As an integral part of Montréal’s history, silhouette and heritage, it is also an emblematic destination for visitors. Taking advantage of Montréal’s 375th anniversary celebrations, the Société d’habitation et de développement de Montréal (SHDM), responsible for the management and development of the Marché Bonsecours, dedicates an exhibition that highlights its history and place in our collective memory, in the form of postcards or giant photos. The 170-year-old Marché Bonsecours exhibition is presented as part of the World Press Photo Montréal, on the mezzanine of the main exhibition hall.

SHDM’s Managing Director, Nancy Shoiry, emphasized: “Participating in the vitality of Montréal also means making our built heritage better known, together with its contribution to our history and the evolution of an entire neighbourhood. This exhibition devoted to Marché Bonsecours recalls the daily life in this emblematic building during different eras and the place it occupied in the life of Montrealers for 170 years.”

“Since Marché Bonsecours is also known as a cultural venue that hosts many events each year, including the renowned exhibition of the World Press Photo, it is all the more flattering to be received in our own venues, as part of this popular event. A link is established from the outset between the two exhibitions since we drew from yesterday’s news stories magnificent journalistic photos and anecdotes of the time, all reproduced in giant format and exhibited in the mezzanine gallery.”

USEFUL INFORMATION
World Press Photo Montréal
Marché Bonsecours, 170 years of exchanges
August 30 to October 1, 2017

At Marché Bonsecours
325, de la Commune Est
Sunday to Wednesday, 10 am to 10 pm
Thursadyto Saturday, 10 am to midnight

General Admission: $13
Students, seniors (65+), FPJQ or AJIQ cartholders: $10
12 and under: free

Regarding Marché Bonsecours
With its silvery dome that shapes the Montréal landscape, Marché Bonsecours is recognized as one of the ten most beautiful heritage buildings in Canada. Designed by architect William Footner, it was home to the city’s main farmers market for more than a century, was subsequently repurposed to meet changing needs over the years by housing Montréal City Hall, the Parliament of United Canada, concert halls and banquet halls, training and armoury halls, and municipal offices. The Marché Bonsecours has become a must-see cultural and tourist destination, hosting events and exhibitions, as well as being home to the Conseil des métiers d’art du Québec, high-end ‘made in Québec’ designer boutiques, and restaurants that offer locally grown products.

Aficionados of history and archive photographs can also visit the virtual exhibition Au fil du temps presented on the Marché Bonsecours website at http://marchebonsecours-expo.com/ 

It’s in a neighbourhood that is reaching maturity that the fifth and penultimate phase of the Accès Condos accredited project – Faubourg Contrecœur – will be launched on Saturday, September 16, 2017. Already under construction right in front of Carlos-d’Alcantara Park, the project will be particularly attractive for young families and those wishing to buy in Montréal, with a selection of 95 affordable units, the majority of which offering two or more bedrooms.

Opening of the sales office 
Saturday, September 16, 2017, at 10 am
at 5200, rue de Contrecœur

“One must visit the Faubourg Contrecœur to take measure of the path we have travelled. The neighbourhood vibrates to the rhythm of the life of some 1,500 residents already settled, the large Carlos-Alcantara park and soon the services of a CPE and shops whose opening is announced for 2018. This Accès Condos, accredited phase 5 blends in the neighbourhood perfectly, and offers a choice of affordable and quality condos that meet the needs of people who wish to buy and stay in Montréal.”, said Johanne Mallette, Director of Development and Fixed Assets of Société d’habitation et de développement de Montréal (SHDM).

The Accès Condos accreditation enables buyers to benefit from a 10% purchase credit that is applied to the down payment, enabling them to buy with only a $1,000 deposit and to reduce their monthly mortgage payments.

The Faubourg Contrecœur Phase 5 project is developed and marketed by SEC Merlin Contrecœur, based on an architectural concept by Ruccolo + Faubert Architectes inc.

For more information, visit accescondos.org/fc5
Floor plans for the units will be available online as of September 11.

THE PROJECT
• 95 units, including twenty-one 3, 4 and 5 BDR stacked townhouses on two floors
• Eighteen 1-BDR units 
• Fifty-two 2-BDR units 
• Twenty-two 3-BDR units
• Two 4-BRD units 
• One 5-BDR unit 
• 6 floors
• 2 elevators
• 64 indoor parking spaces

THE NEIGHBOURHOOD
• Neighbourhood that has been developing for a decade
• Facing Carlos-d’Alcantara Park and its many amenities (mini-soccer field, climbing wall, water games, basketball court, table tennis, slope for winter sliding…)
• Opening of a daycare centre (CPE) in June 2018 including a nursery
• Shopping area to be developed at the corner of Sherbrooke and Contrecœur
• Serviced by collective and active transport (STM, Communauto, cycle paths)

Regarding the Accès Condos program
Accès Condos is a program that accredits affordable, high-quality residential projects and provides buyers with a 10% purchase credit on the condo’s purchase value, enabling them to buy with only a $1,000 deposit and at the same time reduce their monthly mortgage payments. Since its creation in 2005, SHDM’s Accès Condos Program has enabled more than 3,000 households to acquire a quality property at very competitive prices while staying in Montréal. This program does even more. It contributes to the revitalization of neighbourhoods in a sustainable way, by the creation of dynamic living environments. For more information, visit accescondos.org.

Together, we go further. The community united around the Habitations Terrasse Saint-Michel proved it once again by organizing a collective clean-up bee that brought together about 25 people on July 28th. Tenants, building managers and community workers gathered in good humour to clean and beautify the common areas and green spaces.

Mobilized to improve their living environment, neighbours got to know each other, but also the stakeholders in their community, among others, the Habitations Terrasse Saint-Michel management and maintenance team as well as representatives from the local éco-quartier, the Info-Logement office, the Saint-Michel CLSC, Action Saint Michel Est (ASME) and Mon Resto Saint-Michel. In support of this initiative, the SHDM, the owner of the buildings, sponsored a picnic to conclude the activity in a festive atmosphere.

Clean-up bees have an impact that extends well beyond the few hours devoted to them. Not only is the result immediately visible, but it motivates everyone to take care of their environment. Thus, the ties forged between the participants reinforce the spirit of mutual assistance among neighbours and the wish to be involved for the benefit of the neighbourhood as a whole.

This activity initiated by tenants and neighbourhood organizations is a fine example of the spirit of the SHDM community, engaging all actors to better living together.

 

The SHDM community has more than 4,700 tenants. We are sharing here the testimony of a committed and enthusiastic member of this community who speaks with love of her neighbourhood, Pointe-Saint-Charles, where the SHDM owns many rental units.

Louisane is 23 and has just completed her first year at Concordia University’s Faculty of Fine Arts in the Digital Arts program. She welcomes us in an apartment owned by the SHDM, where she lives with her mother and her two brothers, aged 9 and 21 respectively. Louisane is a dynamic and genuine young woman. She describes her neighbourhood as a family-oriented and supportive haven of peace with a remarkable diversity of inhabitants living side by side.

“We moved here when I was 12 years old. Before, we lived in Saint-Henri in a 3 ½. We were therefore going from an apartment where my mother, my brother Christian and I slept in the same room to a 5 ½ where each of us had his own bedroom, » says Louisane. This apartment is part of the SHDM rental park, which includes several 2- to 4-storey plex-style buildings that house several families.

Located in Le Sud-Ouest borough, in the heart of Pointe-Saint-Charles, the dwelling is at a five-minute walk from the Charlevoix metro station on the green line. In addition to this ideal location in relation to downtown Montréal, the neighbourhood offers a premium quality of life according to Louisane, because of its many municipal amenities and its tightly woven social fabric that is supported by community organizations.

“Just a few metres from our door step, there is the library, the recreation centre which includes a swimming pool and a winter arena, a basketball court, a baseball field, Saint-Gabriel Park, Hibernia Square or Des Apprentis Park. The neighbourhood also has great schools. My younger brother, who is still in primary school, is in an intensive music program inspired by the El Sistema philosophy and practices the violin three times a week thanks to a partnership between his school and the organization Partageons l’espoir” explains Louisane. “There are many organizations in the neighbourhood that make a real difference,” she continues, “I am thinking in particular of the Pointe-Saint-Charles Carrefour d’éducation populaire or Madame prend congé for which I have been volunteering for eight months and running a body expression workshop.”

Louisane is familiar with other boroughs in Montréal, having lived or studied in several of them. She pragmatically recognizes the assets of her current neighbourhood. “It’s my favourite at the moment because it fits my lifestyle. It is a quiet, very mixed neighbourhood, with many families, children, and seniors as well. Here everyone knows each other,” she says. The neighbourhood parks that host events, pétanque competitions or sports contests are the ideal place for community life and their continuous animation is a reflection of a tightly woven community. “I feel an attachment of the people for their neighbourhood, and this is perhaps due to the historical character of Pointe-Saint-Charles. This kind of attachment is not as common in other parts of the city. I also like that the organized events are not commercial, but rather, have as their primary objective the fostering of social links. The community spirit is very strong,” says Louisane.

The values of inclusion and solidarity of the neighbourhood are in line with the values of Louisane, but for her family, her parents are from Cameroon, the value of education is also very important. Their mother, a doctoral student in Educational Science, paved the way for her children who are pursuing their schooling with commitment. Christian, who is completing his college diploma, will also be attending Concordia University in September. Louisane does not yet know what she will do in the future, but she is determined to work for more justice, happiness, quality of life and equality. “Uplifting people’s lives in the broad sense is close to my heart,” she says. It’s all to her honour and you can bet that her neighbourhood would be proud of her.

This was an inspiring meeting with a young Montrealer who is open-minded, engaged and supportive of her community! We wish Louisane and her brothers much success and we sincerely thank them for this wonderful interview.

The testimony of Louisane inspired us to support the social and economic development efforts of organizations in the Pointe-Saint-Charles neighbourhood and the SHDM donated $300 to the Partageons l’espoir organization.