This historic building, which housed the Franciscans for over a century, is now being managed by the non-profit organization (NPO) Entremise.

The project aims to preserve the site's heritage while offering affordable spaces for social services, socio-professional integration workshops, and temporary accommodation, supported by a financial model of solidarity rents and funding from the City of Montreal.

Building History

 Built gradually between 1914 and 1960, the structure served as a monastery and residence for the Order of Franciscans for over 100 years.

As a testament to a rich history where religious communities played a role in social services, the Franciscan Convent now represents built heritage that Entremise is committed to preserving.

The NPO’s approach is to maintain the site’s original communal spirit by minimizing structural interventions.

Management Model

The project is led by the NPO Entremise, which created a dedicated real estate company to ensure the model's viability and replicability.

 It received initial financial support of $450,000 from the City of Montreal.

The economic model adopted is solidarity rents.

This structure allows for guaranteed affordable spaces in perpetuity for community organizations.

Specifically, certain occupants whose activities generate income (such as a commercial food service offering) will pay a higher rent, thus subsidizing organizations with a less profitable social mission (such as socio-professional integration workshops).

The developed community hub includes four main axes:

1. A solidarity food hub and a physical activity center on the ground floor.

2. Spaces for socio-professional integration workshops (French language classes, specific training).

3. 35 rooms designated for temporary accommodation (stays from one to six months).

4. A community health hub, hosting cooperative clinics.

Entremise acts as the infrastructure manager, ensuring its coherence and longevity, with the ambition of creating a social utility trust to anchor the convent's community vocation in the long term.

Entremise's work is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2026 and should be completed around the end of 2027.

Status and Approvals

 Following public consultations conducted by the OCPM (Office de consultation publique de Montréal) in late 2024 and early 2025, the project received a largely positive reception and secured the necessary regulatory approvals.

 In May 2025, the City Council endorsed the amendment to the Urban Planning Bylaw, confirming the site’s new vocation.

The demolition of the infirmary and the chapel (to make way for social housing) was approved, with provisions to preserve the memory of the site.

Economic and Financial Information 

The management model based on solidarity rents (aimed at providing perpetually affordable spaces for organizations) is secured by increased public funding.

• City of Montreal: Initial aid of $450,000.

• Quebec Government: Major additional support of $4 million for the requalification of the convent.

Timeline and Next Steps 

The implementation steps are precise:

• Spring 2026: Start of the first phase of work (infrastructure, partial demolitions) by Groupe Prével.

• Fall 2026: Start of requalification work on the convent by Entremise.

• End of 2027: Expected completion of work, marking the opening of the community hub (temporary accommodation, integration workshops, community health services, etc.).

The call for applications to identify future occupants (community organizations, cooperatives, etc.) is active, ensuring the convent meets the real needs of the community.