The City of Montreal has taken a significant step forward in its urban development by giving the green light to the addition of additional floors to several real estate projects.

This decision, announced on May 6, 2025, aims to meet the growing demand for housing in the city while optimizing the use of available land.

Municipal authorities emphasized that this initiative will not only increase the housing supply but also promote more harmonious urban densification.

By adding additional floors to existing buildings and new projects, Montreal hopes to create more dynamic neighborhoods better served by infrastructure and public services.

Two major projects are particularly affected by this new direction. On the site of the former Hôpital de la Miséricorde, a vacant heritage complex on René-Lévesque Boulevard, a tower could reach 28 floors (90 meters).

This represents a significant increase from the previously presented preliminary version of 65 meters.

This tower could become one of the tallest in the eastern part of downtown.

The project also includes a location for social housing, although the exact number of units was not specified in an advisory opinion.4 This site, vacant for about a dozen years, currently belongs to the Quebec government.

Another impacted project is the Frontenac Real Estate Complex, led by the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) near the metro station of the same name.

This project could reach 20 stories, while a previously approved version had only 123.

The STM project calls for the construction of 524 units, including 442 rental housing units and 82 social housing units, in one of its parking lots.

The urban planning advisory committee considers it "structuring for the neighborhood" because it includes social housing and family housing.

Both projects received favorable opinions from the urban planning advisory committee covering the downtown area.

Among the projects affected are residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments located in various boroughs across the city.

These projects will now benefit from the possibility of adding multiple floors, which will accommodate more residents and businesses.

Real estate developers welcomed this decision, stating that it will allow them to better meet market needs while contributing to the revitalization of certain neighborhoods.

They also emphasized the importance of complying with construction standards and ensuring the harmonious integration of new floors into the existing urban landscape.

However, this initiative also raises concerns among some residents and community groups.

They fear that adding additional floors could lead to increased population density and traffic problems, as well as a possible deterioration in the quality of life in certain neighborhoods.

City officials have assured that they will take these concerns into account and implement measures to mitigate potential negative impacts.

The approval of additional storeys for real estate projects in Montreal represents a significant milestone in the city's urban development.

This initiative aims to meet the growing demand for housing while promoting harmonious urban densification.

Real estate developers and municipal authorities will need to work together to ensure that these new developments benefit the entire Montreal community.

For more information on real estate projects in Montreal and urban development initiatives, stay tuned for our upcoming publications.