The Diocese of Montreal recently put up for sale four churches in the heart of the metropolis, but stubbornly refuses to say which ones. The buildings are located “in the high-demand areas of Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, Rosemont–Petite-Patrie and Pointe-Saint-Charles,” according to the Colliers Canada real estate listing. They provide a “unique opportunity for redevelopment” or use as places of worship, says broker Chimène Constance. The precise identity of the buildings, however, is only made available to individuals who agree to sign a confidentiality agreement. The Press refused. “As the projects are still ongoing and Christian communities are involved, we remain cautious in sharing details,” said Erika Jacinto, diocesan press officer. The organization declined a request for an interview.
After a decade of hesitation, Quebec has finally put up for sale the site of the Hôpital de la Miséricorde, located on René-Lévesque Boulevard, just south of Berri-UQAM. The complex – built from the mid-nineteenth century – is slated for redevelopment, but will have to retain several heritage elements. “It would be a tragedy if the building were still vacant in ten years,” said real estate broker Sylvain Bernèche, of Landerz. “There is something to do there that [will] be important both for the neighborhood and for Montreal as a whole. “The responsiveness is very good,” he added. In 2021, the Plante administration made public its vision for the redevelopment of the site: it said it was ready to authorize the construction of a 17-story tower on the site, in exchange for the inclusion of lower-paying projects, namely “90 social housing, 130 artists’ studios, 60 studios for the Maison du Père, 80 student studios”, as well as a cultural space in the chapel. However, this vision does not bind the future buyer. “We are pleased to have collaborated with the SQI (Société québécoise des infrastructures) to determine the redevelopment needs of this important site in line with the needs of the community and commensurate with the historical and heritage value of the site,” said Thursday the head of housing at the City, Benoit Dorais, in a written statement.
The buildings – abandoned for years and covered in graffiti from the foundations to the roof – are obvious to anyone walking on Saint-Laurent Boulevard, near the intersection of Marie-Anne Street and the park. from Portugal. They are now offered to the highest bidder. Real estate broker Anthony Kyriakou refers to a “hotel development opportunity” on the site, which includes six separate buildings. “Its prime location in one of Montreal’s most desirable neighborhoods makes this site an exceptional candidate for mixed-use development,” the listing adds. Without a zoning change, the future building could reach four floors in places, specifies the broker, who did not call back La Presse. The set belongs to Anna Kiorpelidis, the widow of a local mechanic.
The City of Montreal confirmed on Wednesday its desire to sell the Center Saint-Paul, the former city hall of Côte-Saint-Paul, located on avenue de l’Eglise in the Sud-Ouest borough. The city will be looking this spring for “a business or not-for-profit organization that will commit to restoring, preserving and showcasing” the century-old building, which also housed a fire station. This building is the first to be targeted by the Real Estate Strategy for vacant and surplus buildings of the City of Montreal, which aims to lighten the expensive municipal real estate inventory. “The Saint-Paul Center requalification project could begin in 2024,” the Plante administration said in a statement.
The building is not on the market, but LaPresse was able to confirm that the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Mary recently moved out of their huge complex on rue Laurier, between boulevard Saint-Laurent and rue de Bullion, in the borough of the Plateau-Mont-Royal. The information had already circulated on local news platforms. “At our age, we are still sent to continue this mission to a new Promised Land,” reads a newsletter posted on the congregation’s website. “The exodus of the 24 sisters from the infirmary, the 7 semi-autonomous sisters and the other 6 autonomous sisters took place in peace and serenity despite a few tears showing a surrender in trust. Everything went very well. The organization declined La Presse’s interview request.
