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This summer, several tenants of the SHDM had the pleasure of participating in greening, horticulture and urban agriculture projects.

Watch this short video to see our tenants, our very own horticulture team and Sentier Urbain and Ville en vert’s teams in action. Join the movement next summer and create a living environments that are dynamic, vibrant and green.

Fostering the spirit of good neighbourliness, increasing the sense of belonging and control over the living environment and creating a place for sharing knowledge are all objectives set by the SHDM through the implementation of these greening and urban agriculture projects in its rental properties. What’s more, they enable tenants to reduce their grocery bill with their crops.

To secure assistance for these mobilization projects, the SHDM mandated two organizations specialized in urban agriculture and community outreach, namely Ville en vert and Sentier Urbain. These organizations conducted a series of planting and gardening workshops and provided tenants with on-site support throughout the summer to build beautiful community gardens and vegetable gardens in the Ahuntsic-Cartierville borough and in the Côte-des-Neiges-Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough.

At the same time, the SHDM own horticulture team continued its work with the tenant community of its Autonomie+, rental buildings, which are reserved for autonomous people aged 55 and over. Nearly ten urban vegetable gardens are now available to these tenants. “Developing the green thumbs of our tenants not only allows us to improve their living environment and contribute to their quality of life, but it also ensures the sustainability of horticultural development projects from year to year. It is certainly an added value for our tenants” explained Lorraine, horticulturist at the SHDM.

The SHDM thanks Sentier urbain, Ville en vert and the Société de développement d’habitation communautaire (SODHAC), external manager for the SHDM, for their professionalism in carrying out the mandates granted to them for this project.

Community life and autonomy, the choice of Pamela – Living in Montréal has many advantages, such as being close to shops and services, the dynamic cultural offer, and the diversity of the people we meet. The SHDM Autonomie + buildings, for autonomous people aged 55 and over, enable aging people to take advantage of these urban amenities while benefiting from the solidarity and complicity with neighbours who are sharing the same lifestyle. Pamela, a tenant of the SHDM, explains her housing choice and the reasons why her apartment will be her “last stop.” (video in French only)

About autonomie+ housing units – The SHDM owns 16 Autonomie+ rental complexes totalling more than 1,100 housing units for an autonomous clientele aged 55 and over. In addition to providing affordable rents below the market price, the Autonomie+ communities help to counter isolation and provide dynamic living environments for retired people.

Autonomie + buildings complement the range of choices available to aging but still physically active tenants in Montréal who are looking for an alternative to multigenerational neighbourhoods or certified seniors’ residences that offer fee-based services.

In addition to a dedicated and professional team to manage and maintain the buildings, our Autonomie+ properties have the following amenities: concrete structures, elevators, access ramps, emergency repairs service, secure access, laundry room, recreation room, garden or terrace.

 

Video credit: Marie-Hélène Beaudry

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.