News
Go behind the scenes and discover how Îlot Balmoral was designed
Ongoing until February 27, 2016 at the exhibition center of Université de Montréal, the exhibition 1: X – exploration multidisciplinaire presented by the Provencher_Roy architectural firm stages five major projects including the Îlot Balmoral.
Whether from the architectural, urban planning, sustainable development or interior design angle, the exhibition enables visitors to understand the issues and principles that guided the design of the Îlot Balmoral.
You will discover sketches, draft projects, models of different versions of the project, and the model of the final project. You will also learn about the origin of the motifs for the glass façade and will see the materials selected for the building’s interior design.
A must see!
- We wish to remind the public that a call for expressions of interest for renting space in the building is underway. For more information, please visit the section of our website dedicated to Balmoral Island.
- For additional information on the exhibition, visit the website of the Université de Montréal exhibition center.
- For more information on the Provencher_Roy architectural firm, visit their website.
Contractors and residential real estate developers - call for proposals
With the Faubourg Contrecœur development project entering its final phases, the SHDM (Société d’habitation et de développement de Montréal) is issuing a public call for proposals to select a contractor/developer to develop approximately 170 certified Accès Condos units on SHDM lots 4 974 782 and 4 061 763 for phases five and six of this project.
Once an agreement is signed with Accès Condos, these lots will be sold to the chosen developer, who will build and sell the certified Accès Condos units.
Benefits of this type of agreement:
- Accès Condos certification, an appealing formula for developers and attractive to buyers
- Shared risk, with a sales warranty on units from SHDM
- An opportunity to work with an experienced professional team to develop and showcase the project
General conditions:
- Hold a valid license issued by RBQ and authorization from AMF (Autorité des marchés financiers) to enter into public contracts in Quebec
- Have extensive experience developing residential condominiums
- Have the financial means to purchase the two lots and complete the project
Documents available AS OF FEBRUARY 10TH on www.seao.ca
For questions about the Accès Condos program, please consult the Partners and Suppliers section on our website.
Leader in the field of affordable housing and home ownership, the SHDM accredits and supports the development of quality residential projects in Montréal, while contributing to the vitality of neighbourhoods. In the past 10 years, 26 agreements were signed with 17 developers, totaling 30 projects and more than 3,600 units of affordable condos in 10 boroughs of Montréal.
SHDM makes its mark in the St. Michel neighbourhood
Through a unique partnership between the SHDM and the Habitations Terrasse Saint Michel organization, the Saint-Michel neighbourhood is revealed in its best light and unveils its innovative, community and solidarity features.
After acquiring in 1990, in the heart of Saint-Michel, a set of 14 buildings totaling 127 dwellings that were in disrepair, the SHDM renovated and restored all of the buildings and created housing for families. Mindful of the social and cultural complexity of the neighborhood as well as of the dynamism of several community groups, SHDM turned over to the latter the management of these properties. In 1995, the organization Habitations Terrasse St-Michel was created, regrouping on its board several organizations that were already active in the area.
As the new owner, the SHDM carried out major works to improve the tenants’ quality of life. It also assumed the financial risk by supporting the decisions and proposals of the managing organization. Hence, premises have been offered free of charge to certain organizations, on an ad hoc or ongoing basis, and some of the dwellings were offered primarily to young single mothers. For its part, the Habitations Terrasse St-Michel organization is active in the field and contributes to a sense of well-being. Making repairs as quickly as possible and even preventively, maintaining lawns, planting flowers around the entrances, painting the walls, but also involving residents, helping them to fit in and step out of their isolation are some of the tasks undertaken by the organization.
The success of this business model was highlighted in 2002 by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) by giving to the Habitations Terrasse St-Michel project and the partners involved a Excellence Award for « Affordable Housing Innovations » in the “Process and Management” category.
In addition to providing below the market rents to a fragile clientele, this partnership created a community center and provided leverage to local organizations. This approach adequately addresses the needs of residents and neighbourhood issues. In addition to the very family-oriented environment, with a large proportion of households with more than three children, the Habitations Terrasse St-Michel welcome people from across the world. « For us, diversity is extremely important, » explains Claude Deshaies, treasurer of the Habitations Terrasse St-Michel organization. A community worker at the St-Michel CLSC for more than 20 years – retired in October 2015 – he reflects on the evolution of neighbourhood. « Before, St. Michel was a transition course and had a very bad reputation. Today, we see that people are comfortable here and that they do not want to leave. This means that they bonded with the neighbourhood and that they now feel it is theirs. The cooperation and coordination of community and municipal organizations was behind this turn around.”
A community worker at the Bureau Info-Logement of Centre éducatif communautaire René-Goupil and a board member of Habitations Terrasse St-Michel, Coralie Leroux explains that the purpose of community groups is to fight against the « Out of sight out of mind » mentality. All these small projects, workshops, meetings organized by community groups, are aimed at empowering people, but they are also excuses for people to gather, share some coffee, chat, and get to know each other. The goal is to help them come out of their isolation. «
The SHDM, an expert in Responsible Property Investment, is proud of this partnership which helped to build a real living environment and would like to thank and congratulate the team of Habitations Terrasse St-Michel for its commitment and its outstanding work.
Claude Deshaies, treasurer of the Habitations Terrasse St-Michel organization
Annie, in charge of the community garden and Soumaila Kafando, social mobilizer for Action Saint-Michel-Est (ASME)
The community garden
Front facade of Habitations Terasse Saint-Michel
Mural produced by MU
The finance and administration team welcomes an experienced director
With over 20 years of experience in financial management, Mario De Fanti was entrusted with the management of the Finance and Administration Department of the Société d’habitation et de développement de Montréal (SHDM). Reporting to the managing director, Nancy Shoiry, he will be responsible for the implementation of all financial and budgetary processes in the corporation. Mr. De Fanti will also lead the corporation’s development with respect to procurements, IT systems and administration, in addition to managing the teams involved with these issues.
Mario De Fanti’s extensive career bears out his wide expertise, including financial and strategic planning, financial analysis and project management. Known for his analytical ability, integrity and leadership, he will ensure that the finance and administration team’s activities are in keeping with SHDM’s values and strategic objectives.
After managing the finances of the property management division of an international telecommunications company for over 10 years and having served as Vice President, Finance and Administration, in the Old Port of Montréal Corporation, Mr. De Fanti was recently heading the operations of the finance, procurements and IT departments of the Société du parc Jean-Drapeau. Mario De Fanti was ranked among the top ten in Canada for the 1994-1995 tax, auditing and financial accounting exams of the CGA Order and has a BA in Accounting from Concordia University.
The SHDM is publishing a call for expressions of interest for the marketing of spaces still available in the Îlot Balmoral building
While construction of the Îlot Balmoral is progressing smoothly, the SHDM is entering a new phase of the project by launching the marketing of rental spaces that are still available.
True to its mission of economic, social and cultural development of Montréal, the SHDM primarily targets cultural, digital and institutional organizations as potential tenants of this landmark building located near the Place des Festivals.
It may be recalled that the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) will install its headquarters in the building and occupy six of its thirteen floors in spring 2018.
Would you like to benefit from synergy with the NFB, the dynamism of the Quartier des spectacles and the proximity with Montréal’s business centre, and all this in a bold architectural environment that has a LEED NC 2009 GOLD rating? Let us know about your interest by sending a presentation file that specifies your needs no later than February 26, 2016 to have your application evaluated.
All information materials as well as the expression of interest form are available on a dedicated page of SHDM’s portal.