As residential building projects kick off, configurations are emerging around a new reality: investing in common spaces is no longer just an added value, but a necessity. A look at the trends that mark this new era.
The Mellem brand is showing up with a new rental unit project near the Frontenac metro station. The Mellem Ville-Marie, which will be finalized in the spring of 2024, offers “efficient” housing, without excessive size, and relies on socialization between residents in its shared areas. Among other things, there is a large terrace with a vegetable garden, a shared kitchen, shared workspaces and a green interior courtyard where children can play in complete safety.
This community vision, Mellem had it before COVID-19. The pandemic will however have accentuated the trend, notes the president of Maître Carré, Hugo Girard-Beauchamp, who is working on the development of Ville-Marie.
Real estate developer Broccolini, which has three condo buildings under construction downtown – the luxurious 628 Saint-Jacques, the Sherbrooke and the Victoria sur le parc – agrees. “The house is no longer a box where you come to eat and sleep,” observes its director of residential development, Adam Martelli. Our residents invest in common places more than before. We want them to feel at home there. »
Instilling that feeling of “home” is done through a less formal and minimalist design than before, adds William Atkinson. “The atmosphere is set by muted lighting, warm materials, the addition of a fireplace or intimate areas, gives the example of the director of architecture and real estate intelligence at Groupe Devimco. We also reserve a privileged location for these shared areas in the building so that all residents can benefit from a spectacular view or generous light. »
“We have always included office furniture in the accommodations,” notes the rental director at Maître Carré, Étienne Payette-Lebeau. With the pandemic, thinking has evolved to provide better service and ensure people can work away from home. »
The Mellem Ville-Marie refines the formula with its Collaborative Space adjacent to the café. Its residents can work alone or in pairs in the open area or in closed cubicles. The place also includes a conference room that can be used by all residents by reservation, up to twice a week, as is the case at Nobel and Oria (phases II), in Solar Uniquartier, in Brossard. “We now know that working from home is a reality that will stay,” said William Atkinson. In this new context, the space dedicated to work becomes a priority in all our new projects. Everything is reflected there, from the acoustics to the light. »
More than ever, people want to get their hands dirty, and the waiting lists for community gardens are long, notes Hugo Girard-Beauchamp. About 60 gardening containers will occupy a good part of the 6,000 square feet of the Ville-Marie terrace. Residents will be able to grow fruits and vegetables on this Agricultural Promenade, which has been favored over the swimming pool.
The vegetable garden will also be integrated into phase II of the Auguste
The Rachel Condominiums is erected in Shops Angus in the Rosemont district. About sixty units, mainly two- and three-bedroom homes, are aimed at families with an affordable offer. “It’s a common sense project,” says architect Alexandre Blouin, of the firm Blouin Tardif, who designed the project. Since we are next to the bike paths, we have provided a nice storage space for the bikes on the ground floor, and not just in the basement as is often the case. Some buildings also offer bike repair stations, while Place Saint-Charles in Brossard offers a car sharing system to encourage customers to give up their second car.
Communal dining rooms with kitchens are increasingly common and offer the possibility of hosting large groups. At the Éolia project in Brossard, tenants gather around the island to cook together. “Montrealers also love their patios,” says Adam Martelli. These green spaces, often equipped with barbecues and large tables, allow all residents to enjoy the summer and evenings under the stars.
The training room has always been a sensitive point, notes William Atkinson. “Reaching as many residents as possible means keeping up to date with the latest trends in the field, such as crossfit or multimedia terminals with virtual trainers. At Maestria Condominiums, you can play alone or with others in virtual golf.
In larger buildings, indoor or rooftop pools are still the norm. The projects stand out by offering waterfalls, paddling areas or infinite pools. “To choose, we favor the number of places to spread out, even if it means making concessions on the size of the swimming pool”, adds the architect.
Dog owners are happy to find grooming stations in some buildings: a nice “extra”. As for the delivery management service, it has become essential with the rise of e-commerce. Groupe Devimco systematically installs smart lockers in its new buildings, where delivery people leave parcels without there being any risk of theft or confusion.
CorrigendumIn a previous version of this text, it was written that the Sir Charles Condominiums had a coworking space, but this is not the case. Our apologies.
