1. Location and Accessibility

• Exact Address: 1050-1150 Gordon Street, Verdun (Montreal), QC H4G 2R6.

• Metro Station: Less than 300 meters from De l’Église (Green Line), providing direct access to downtown in under 15 minutes.

• Urban Context: The site benefits from its proximity to Wellington Street, renowned for its commercial vitality and local services.

2. Stakeholders and Partners

• Developer / Project Lead: Société d’habitation et de développement de Montréal (SHDM), acting on behalf of the City of Montreal.

• Architecture: The firm AdHoc Architectes was mandated to redesign the space.

• Acquisition: The City of Montreal exercised its right of first refusal in 2023 to acquire the building (formerly Jardins Gordon) to protect it from real estate speculation.

3. Project Details and Social Mix

The project involves a major transformation of a 3-story building from the 1950s:

• Unit Types: Approximately 89 units, primarily studios and one-bedroom apartments, along with larger units (2 bedrooms) to meet diverse needs.

• Target Audience: Priority is given to single individuals, couples, and seniors aged 55+ (Autonomy+ clientele).

• Common Spaces: Includes a community room to combat social isolation and approximately 30 reconfigured outdoor parking spaces.

4. Economic and Budgetary Analysis

• Acquisition Cost: $8.1M (paid by the City of Montreal in 2023).

• Revised Total Budget: Approximately $27M (including purchase and transformation works).

• Funding: A partnership between the City of Montreal, the Government of Quebec (via the SHQ), and the Federal Government. The project benefits from subsidies under the Canada-Quebec Housing Agreement.

• Timeline: Construction began in Spring 2025, with an estimated duration of 12 to 18 months.

5. Social Impact and Traffic

• Social Impact: The project restores a permanent purpose to a building that served as a temporary emergency shelter in 2024. It secures 89 units outside the speculative market with permanent affordable rents.

• Traffic: With nearly 100 permanent residents added, an increase in foot traffic is expected for Wellington Street businesses, along with higher use of active transport infrastructure (Lachine Canal bike paths nearby).

Residential real estate is no longer just about building walls; it is about weaving social ties within mobility hubs.

The Gordon Project fits perfectly into the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) movement.

"Transform rather than demolish: the Gordon Project illustrates how 1950s built heritage can meet the urgent needs of 2026 while strengthening Verdun's social fabric."

Mobility and the "Green Line" Factor

The immediate proximity to the metro is the heart of this project. For the 89 future households, this means a drastic reduction in car dependency.

• Flow Impact: The location is estimated to generate over 200 additional daily trips via active or public transit on the STM network.

• Carbon Footprint: Potential savings of several tons of CO2 annually through car-to-metro substitution.

Social Diversity and Community Impact

The project prevents "wild gentrification" by diversifying the local housing supply.

• Structure: It accommodates young professionals, families, and seniors alike.

• Resilience: Social mixing fosters better neighborhood resilience and sustained local commercial vitality throughout the day.

Timeline and Construction Status

The schedule has been adjusted to reflect the complexity of structural conversion and 1950s building code compliance.

1. Project Chronology

• Winter 2025 - Spring 2026: Intensive interior redevelopment phase (gutting, plumbing, electricity) and facade modifications.

• July 2026 (Current Target): Estimated delivery of units and welcoming of the first tenants.

"Despite the inherent challenges of renovating a historic building, the July 2026 timeline remains the firm objective to provide a concrete solution to the housing crisis in Verdun."

2. Current Construction Status (February 2026)

The project is currently in the interior finishing and code compliance phase.

• Building Envelope: Facade work and the removal of old rear balconies are complete to ensure modern sealing and insulation.

• Mechanical Systems: Installation of new fire protection and ventilation systems (essential for converting rooms into autonomous studios with kitchens) is nearing completion.

• External Improvements: Partial driveway repaving and the addition of a front-facing transformer (TSS) are planned for the spring thaw.

3. Technical and Budgetary Adjustments

• Unit Count: Finalized at 85 units (adjusted from the initial 89) to optimize living space and meet universal accessibility standards.

• Revised Budget: The total cost is now evaluated at $27M, necessary to cover rising construction costs and unforeseen structural reinforcement/decontamination.

4. Next Steps

• March - May 2026: Installation of flooring, kitchen cabinets, and interior finishes.

• June 2026: Final building inspection and obtaining occupancy permits.

• July 2026: Handing over keys to the first residents.