Social real estate has reached a historic milestone in Montreal. Sun Youth (SY), a century-old institution that has operated from temporary locations since 2018 (notably the "white house" in Mount Royal Park and spaces in the Saint-Michel district), is officially moving into its brand-new headquarters.

It is located in the Villeray neighborhood on Saint-Laurent Boulevard, facing Jarry Park, the 40,000-square-foot building spans four floors, including the basement

.Currently, only the first floor is open and accessible to the public.

 It houses the food bank, a home delivery basket area, and the reception desk.

A community kitchen, funded in partnership with Metro grocery stores and the Food Banks of Quebec, will be made available to three partner organizations currently being identified by SY.

 ‘’The Saint-Roch organization, for example, organizes collective kitchens with its clientele. They will be able to come here and use it for free," explains Mme Boulos-Winton, Executive Director.

Meeting rooms will also be available to other non-profits at a low cost, and an outdoor terrace with an urban garden is planned next to the cafeteria.

The upper floors—still being finalized—feature the community kitchen, a large gymnasium, meeting rooms, and an outdoor terrace.

A State-of-the-Art Sustainable Building

Located steps away from the De Castelnau metro station, the new complex is a model of carbon neutrality.

 Designed by KANVA Architecture, its mixed structure combines reinforced concrete and engineered wood (sourced from Nordic Structures).

Its energy footprint is minimized by:

• A geothermal heating and cooling system (25 wells).

• A roof equipped with photovoltaic panels (12 kW).

• A vast rooftop urban garden to reduce heat islands and produce fresh produce.

Financial Details and Partners

The project's $36.5 million financing is the result of exemplary collaboration between the public and private sectors:

• Federal Investment: $10.7M via the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program.

• Private Fundraising Campaign: $15.9M raised (exceeding the initial goal), co-chaired by Claude Mongeau (former CEO of CN) and Lucy Riddell.

• Municipal Support: Financial contribution and regulatory facilitation by the City of Montreal.

• Major Donors: CN ($750,000 donation for the gymnasium), the Molson, McConnell, J.A. DeSève, and Rossy foundations.

To finance this project, the organization notably sold its summer camp.

This transaction helped clear funds for the $7.5M land acquisition where the new building now stands.

Timeline and Execution

The construction site, managed by JCB Construction Canada, mobilized over 700 workers over 16 months.

 The food bank opened in January 2026, while the official inauguration is scheduled for June 2026.

Social Impact and Attendance Statistics

This new community "hub" arrives at a critical time as food insecurity reaches record highs.

• Traffic: In 2024-2025, SY helped nearly 96,000 people. The new food bank, designed like a modern grocery store, allows for a more dignified experience for a growing volume of beneficiaries.

• Youth and Sport: The CN Gymnasium will host over 600 young athletes annually, with a projected 40% increase in registrations thanks to the new facilities.

• Social Integration: Sports programs—including basketball, football, flag football, soccer, tennis, and hockey—target youth aged 5 to 17. Art workshops and tutoring services complete the offer.

• Accessibility: Day camps welcome about 70 youths per week, half of whom come from families using the food bank, for fees as low as $15 per week. Furthermore, 65% of volunteer coaches are former program participants.

Currently, sports programs are still held at external locations, such as Pensionnat du Saint-Nom-de-Marie and Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf.

They are set to move to the Saint-Laurent Boulevard facilities starting April 1st.

Economic Impact

Beyond direct aid, the project generated immediate benefits through job creation during construction and the consolidation of 45 full-time positions.

By centralizing operations, the organization expects to reduce administrative costs (currently maintained at a low 4%) to maximize direct aid to families, where every dollar donated injects approximately 89 cents back into the community.