1. Ateliers Belleville: Immunity Against Speculation

Formerly located at the corner of Beaubien and Waverly, Ateliers Belleville had to leave Mile-Ex in 2019 after their building was acquired by Canderel to build a digital technology and AI campus.

Their response? Becoming owners to control their own destiny.

• The Project: A 55,000-square-foot building at 545 Legendre Street West, recently completed.

• Capacity: 65 permanent members across 5 floors.

• Social Impact: By 2028, the organization plans to welcome 200 "itinerant" members, providing access to common creation spaces and specialized equipment (wood, metal, ceramics) for only $200 per year.

• Financial Model: Acquisition and renovations totaling $15 million.

• As a non-profit (OBNL) owner, the organization is exempt from property taxes, stabilizing rent at a fixed rate of $12 per square foot with no hidden fees.

2. The CAB Centre and Associated Studios

A second major pole is rising further north, driven by the Centre d'Art de Bagnolet (CAB).

• The Exhibition Centre (333 Port-Royal West): A $25 million project, 50% funded by philanthropist Joe Battat.

This 27,000-square-foot former marble factory features a structure made of black spruce wood.

Opening is scheduled for Fall 2027.

• The Studios (Tolhurst St.): A $5 million transformation of a former spa factory (31,000 sq. ft.).

About twenty studios will be available by Summer 2027 at below-market rates.

3. A Consolidating Ecosystem

Chabanel is not starting from scratch. These new projects join a critical mass of established studios:

• 99 Chabanel: Managed by the Société des Deux-Bourgeois, housing approximately 70 studios with 10-year leases.

• Satellite Studios: Ateliers Port-Royal, Verville, and Avenue du Parc offer rents between $10 and $14 per square foot—significantly lower than prices south of the Metropolitan Highway.

Technical Sheet: Funding and Sustainability Mechanisms

The success of Chabanel relies on the strategic use of municipal programs designed to counter real estate speculation:

Key Financial Aids:

1. Renovation Support: Covers up to 90% of eligible expenses for affordable studios.

2. Tax Compensation: Subsidies covering 100% of property tax increases resulting from post-renovation value (up to $190,000/year for 3 years).

3. Direct Artist Grants: Artists can receive $13/m² per year for research/creation and $3/m² for storage via the Montreal Arts Council (CAM).

Analysis: Why is it working on Chabanel?

The district benefits from a "perfect storm" of favorable factors:

• OBNL Ownership: By becoming owners, organizations remove creative square footage from the speculative market.

• Tax Exemptions: Recognized non-profit status allows for total property tax exemptions, a massive saving passed directly to the artists through lower rent.

• Heavy Industrial Zoning: Regulations limit luxury residential development or high-end "tech" offices in certain zones, keeping land values accessible for the arts.

• Psychological Distance: Once perceived as "too far," Chabanel now offers artists relative peace from condo developers.

Key Stakeholders:

• Alexis Bellavance & Jonathan Villeneuve: Co-directors of Ateliers Belleville.

• Anne-Marie Barnard: Executive Director of the CAB Centre (formerly of the MAC Foundation).

• Atelier Barda: The architectural firm behind both major projects.

Data Source: City of Montreal Culture Department / 2025 Budget