Alta Canada plans to build a 30-plus storey residential tower at the long-abandoned Miséricorde hospital property in the eastern sector of downtown Montreal, part of a multi-phased project with an investment of around $500 million.

The 90-metre (295-foot) high, multifamily tower to be built at the corner of René Lévesque Blvd. E. and St-Hubert St. will be the tallest residential highrise in the area, Richard Geller, the 30-year-old principal of Alta Canada, told RENX.

Alta Canada (formerly Staerk Group) officially closed in late May on the acquisition of the former hospital site at 840-890 René Lévesque Blvd. E, which has been vacant for at least 13 years. Alta acquired the site from the Quebec government’s Société québécoise des infrastructures for an undisclosed amount.

“It’s a four- to five-phase project. It’s a colossal undertaking,” says Geller of the development. “There’s a lot of work to do, but we’re looking at it as a nice community project in terms of revitalizing the block and adding to the neighbourhood and just bringing it back to life.” 

Miséricorde property and the development

Tens of thousands of children were born in the former Hôpital général de la Miséricorde. Built between 1853 and 1940, the eight-building hospital site last served as a CHSLD (long-term care home for seniors) but was shuttered in 2012 after it was deemed too rundown.

Although plans have not been finalized, much of the site will be renovated and preserved, Geller says.

He hopes the permitting process can be completed in the next three months: “We’re close to the finish line.”

If all goes well, excavation work can begin this fall for the rental tower, Phase 1 of the development. The tower site is currently occupied by a parking lot and a boiler room which will be demolished.

Construction will take about two years and Geller expects the building to be in the $100-million range. Geller says Alta has private and conventional financing to build the tower.

Amenities for the rental building have not been decided on, but “we like to do above-average stuff. We like to put some nice quality in our rental apartments,” Geller says. “That’s how we stand out.”

Miséricorde is Alta's biggest project

The Miséricorde development is by far Alta’s biggest, Geller says. “It’s new heights for us, it’s a new milestone, it’s a new challenge, but we’re very optimistic and very excited.”

The hospital, which includes a cathedral-like building, “is really a magnificent, breathtaking site. We’re excited to bring that back to life. We want to revitalize that part for sure.”

Geller, 30, has been in real estate and construction for more than eight years, but “I feel way older,” he jokes. “Trust me, this project’s got me some grey hairs, but it’s fun. It’s been worth it.”

Staerk was recently renamed as Alta Canada, which Geller says is a more straightforward and easier-to-pronounce company name. 

Alta, which has more than 20 employees, focuses on properties downtown, Geller says.

Some of its assets include Mont, an 85-unit, 11 storey residential rental building at Ste. Catherine and Mackay streets; 2075 Robert Bourassa, a 16-storey office building; and Castle Lofts, rental units at 1463 Bishop St.  

Its more than one-million-square-foot portfolio also includes properties in Old Montreal, the Plateau Mont-Royal and Notre Dame de Grâce.

Through acquisitions, Alta will be adding about a million square feet to its portfolio in the coming weeks, Geller says.

Additional uses still to be decided

Geller says Alta is in negotiations with various groups about the vocation for the rest of the Miséricorde site. “There’s nothing set in stone yet.” Among the possibilities are artist studios, a library, community centre and events spaces.

There will be a social housing component on the site, in concert with city of Montreal regulations.

“The idea is to revitalize the block by not just developing a highrise. We want to add on to the community aspect.” 

Geller says major players in Montreal’s development community were at the table in the bidding process for the hospital site.

“This is one of the last blocks being sold in such a prime location, which is ripe for development. It was obviously an interesting opportunity for me.” 

He notes several major developments are planned or underway in the eastern sector of downtown, including Goupe Montoni’s development of the former Molson Brewery site, Groupe Mach’s development of Quartier des Lumières at the former CBC-Radio-Canada site and Prével’s Esplanade Cartier near the Jacques Cartier Bridge.

“By looking at the other players doing all those big projects in the area, it’s kind of a very logical step for us to take on this challenge and really give life back to this lot.”