Much care was taken in the development of land adjacent to the Sainte-Anne hospital, bordered by Boulevard des Anciens-Combattants, in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue. Square Bellevue will include 750 condos and rental units surrounded by greenery. It will be designed to appeal to a population aged 55 and over, while aiming for LEED-AQ certification.
“This is our first high-density project,” reveals Paola Hawa, mayor of Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue. There will be a big contrast between this neighborhood and the village of Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, but we made sure to keep the same character. We wanted, despite the height of the buildings, for there to be a good quality of life and for people of a certain age to feel good, in a place that meets their needs. »
Deploring the fate too often reserved for the elderly, in residences built one at a time, she wanted to innovate. “Our population is aging, like elsewhere in the West Island, which has the highest percentage of aging people in Quebec,” she says. What’s missing is a real village with public spaces where people can go out, play cards, read a book or pick their tomatoes. This is the challenge we wanted to take up, by tackling the issue of isolation. »
By becoming the owner of the surplus land of Sainte-Anne hospital, transferred as part of the transfer of the establishment from the federal government to the provincial government, in 2016, the municipality established an action plan. A lot has been reserved for a medical clinic, built last year. Four other lots, totaling 12.47 acres, were the subject of a call for proposals. Among the requirements was the obligation to aim for LEED-AQ ecological certification (neighborhood development).
The project led by Dév Méta, designed by NEUF architect(e)s, was selected because it reflected particularly well what was sought, explains Ms. Hawa. “They understood that we didn’t want bunkers or a ghetto where all the buildings looked the same,” she explains.
The proximity of students from the Macdonald campus of McGill University, focused on agriculture, will also be used to encourage interactions between different generations, she emphasizes.
Square Bellevue will be built in four phases starting next February and will include buildings of 7 to 10 stories. First, 170 condominiums in a two-building complex, so as not to seem massive, were put up for sale in June. Among the many common areas will be a lounge with a pool table, shared workspaces – perfect in the evening for playing bridge –, a library, two separate exercise areas, a swimming pool with a hot tub and sauna. Outside, a large landscaped courtyard and a pétanque court will be created.
Another complex also subdivided into two buildings and comprising 190 rental units (at least 15% of which will be affordable) is also in preparation, as is a private residence for seniors (RPA). The latter will offer 240 rental homes. In the fourth phase, the use of the 150 units will be determined by demand.
“Everything is oriented to create a connection with nature, encourage walking and have affordable typologies for an aging clientele,” indicates Dominique Dubuc, project director at Dév Méta.
“There was phenomenal teamwork with the City and several partners to make this project stand out from the others and truly become a neighborhood for people aged 55 and over, where people of different ages will be able to develop,” underlines Michel Guilbault. , Vice President of Dev Meta. We will leave a legacy for generations to come and we hope to be able to repeat it elsewhere. »
Square Bellevue is aiming for LEED-AQ certification. This approval pursues several objectives: reducing urban sprawl, reducing dependence on automobiles, promoting efficient use of energy and water, encouraging walking, improving air quality and protecting the environment. . Each of the buildings will have to achieve objectives in terms of energy efficiency, effective water management and eco-responsible landscaping, specifies Dominique Dubuc.
For Dév Méta, Square Bellevue represents an investment of more than 300 million. Condo owners and tenants in the first two phases are expected to move in in early 2026, while the senior living community is expected to open in late 2026 or early 2027. The fourth phase will follow.
