Controversial high-rise development planned in Gatineau near History Museum

Building up: Gatineau residents are raising concerns over plans for two new towers proposed by Developer Brigil across from the Canadian Museum of History. They would be 45 and 30 storeys tall, and house between 800 and 1,000 units. 

For context the tallest building in the National Capital Region is the Claridge Icon which towers at 45 storeys over Carling Avenue and Preston Street. 

• “What we’ve been trying to do is to work with the community to put a public space, bring the presbytery more value and give it more space, breathable space, and to be able to create a touristic attraction with the project,” said Jessy Dejardins, vice-president of Development and Design with The Brigil Group, according to CTV. ”We want to turn this big parking lot into a community, into a housing community, with a mixed-use project.”

There is backlash: Neighbourhood group l'Association des résidents de l'île de Hull said the proposed development came as a shock and said “it is totally unacceptable to go beyond the urban planning [limits],” reported CBC. Concerns are being raised about the buildings not fitting in with the neighbourhood's character and how they could block sunlight. 

Approval is needed first: The current height limit is 30 storeys, but Gatineau is reviewing its urban plan for a downtown core. Brigil has asked Gatineau city council for a decision by August. 

Gatineau Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette didn’t indicate how she thinks council will vote, but said priority should not be building more expensive units. 

• “When it comes to condos that are more high-end, we don't have a crisis there. We have a crisis for people on the street, for social and affordable housing," she said during a news conference Wednesday.  

In 2018, Brigil proposed two 35- and 55-storey towers in Gatineau’s Quartier du Musé neighbourhood, but the $400-million Place des Peuples project was voted down. 

Brigil plans to convert current shopping mall space 

Brigil has also unveiled its Espace Canevas community project, which it calls “a bold real estate concept that will revitalize this important urban hub in Gatineau, representing investments of approximately $1.3 billion.”

By the numbers: The project at the Village Cartier shopping center has potential for upwards of 2,600 residential units,192,000 square feet of commercial space, and 182,000 square feet of office space. 

“What we are proposing with the Espace Canevas community is the redefinition of our urban spaces for the benefit of the Gatineau-Ottawa population. Reflecting the ambitions of the neighborhood, the project offers a second life to the Village Cartier shopping center and demonstrates the immense potential for transforming large commercial spaces to increase the number of available units in the context of a housing crisis," said Desjardins in a statement.