“What will become of this place?” That is probably the question that the Franciscans asked themselves. We are standing before the Domaine de l’ancien Monastère de la Résurrection. It sits at the intersection of Rosemont Boulevard and Dickson Street. This site in Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie is currently undergoing redevelopment.
The religious community is selling the land. Groupe Prével is the real estate developer. They are working with the borough and the city. They also collaborate with institutional partners to develop a project. It aims to meet community needs.
Let’s talk about the project’s main parts. The address is 5750 Rosemont Boulevard. Plans include 650 to 750 private housing units. These units will be in three new buildings. One building will be eight stories high. Another will be 13 stories. The tallest building will be 23 stories. Social housing will also be created. These units will be in two new buildings. Part of the convent will be demolished. This includes the chapel and infirmary. This demolition is required to build the new social housing. The city will acquire two vacant lots. These lots could hold 130 to 150 housing units.
The project includes collective and community spaces. The convent will be renovated for a new purpose. A community organization will manage it. Its focus will be on sociocommunity activities. The convent will be restored to meet current standards. This restoration follows a detailed assessment. The city requires this assessment before issuing permits. The convent is at the heart of the site. It will be preserved and restored. Plazas around it will bring it to life. A public space will be created in front of the convent’s main entrance. This area can host events like a public market.
The Verdissement or greening plan is also important. The privately owned Bois des Pères will be given to the city. This will create a public green space. It can be added to the adjacent Bois-des-Pères park. Landscaped walkways lined with trees are planned. Two of these will connect the old convent to the wooded area. There will be 143000 square feet of green space on the site. This is 54% of the area. A shared access promenade bordered by plants will be created. It will be designed using sustainable development practices.
Other key features include density that meets housing needs. The site is near public transport such as the Réseau Express Vélo. The architecture will blend with the existing buildings. Regulations will be adapted to the site. Traffic on the site will be minimized. This is achieved by a one-way shared street. Underground parking with access from Dickson Street will be available.
The 5750 Rosemont Boulevard project requires changes to the urban planning regulations. It also needs changes to the site’s permitted uses. These changes require a modification to Montreal’s urban plan. They also need an exemption from local regulations. This exemption is under Article 89 of the City of Montreal Charter.
The project aims to revitalize the Domaine de l’ancien Monastère de la Résurrection. It seeks to balance housing community needs and heritage. The goal is to create a vibrant space. It will serve the Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie area for years to come.