A TOD under development at the heart of Longueuil’s future downtown

For several months, and in fact for a few years now, our teams, in consortium with FABG Architects, have been working intensively on a development project in a rapidly transforming sector that will become Longueuil’s new downtown. Ultimately, this Devimco-led project will be part of a larger development comprising approximately 8,000 residential units, along with nearby retail spaces, offices, services, and cultural institutions, in addition to the already significant presence of the Université de Sherbrooke, which has occupied this strategic site for several years.

The presence of an STM metro station, the ARTM terminal, intercity transit services, and direct connections to the REV (bicycle network) will make this district one of the best-served areas in the Greater Montreal region. Ideally located above the metro station, the future building will serve as the keystone of this TOD (Transit-Oriented Development), featuring direct access to the station, ground-floor retail, and two residential towers.

Developed by Peter Calthorpe in 1993, the TOD concept promotes a form of development centered on active and public transportation. Residents have easy access to services within walking distance, typically within a 600- to 800-metre radius. Implemented primarily in North America, this planning approach aims to sustainably transform residents’ lifestyles by reducing reliance on the private automobile and encouraging collective and active mobility rooted in community life and healthy living habits.

Construction has been underway for nearly a year. The work began with the demolition of the existing building, followed by the construction of a temporary shelter allowing the thousands of daily metro users to move through the station safely. Underground excavation work is also taking place beneath Place Charles-LeMoyne.

This large-scale project has notably leveraged the expertise of our public transit specialists. The significant constraints associated with integrating an existing metro station, providing access to the bus terminal, constructing a major underground parking facility beneath Place Charles-LeMoyne, and managing the various vehicular and pedestrian access points became the framework around which the entire project was developed, without compromising the quality of life of future residents and retailers. Ultimately, they will benefit from an integrated complex offering a comfortable, functional, and sustainable living environment that supports an active and inspiring lifestyle at the heart of the community, while being less than 10 minutes from downtown Montréal.