Place Versailles to be torn down to build nearly 5,000 housing units

Place Versailles will be demolished to build residential buildings, according to a new project plan presented by the site’s owners and reported by La Presse.

Around 5,000 housing units, a school, a hotel, and a commercial space will be built in the upcoming years, on 17-hectares of land.

According to documents by the Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve district which La Presse consulted, the project will consist of gradually demolishing the shopping centre in phases.

The proposed height of the project varies between 12 and 16 floors, but two buildings could have 25 floors, with a maximum height of 115 metres.

Place Versailles belongs to a Montreal family, the Gregorys.

It was inaugurated in 1963 and Place Versailles was the first indoor shopping centre built in Montreal.

The property has 4,000 parking spaces and 225 commercial businesses.

In addition to the large towers, the project will include two-story buildings to “smooth the transition” to the surrounding single-family residential neighbourhood.

Also, the council claims that a “buffer” wall must be set up alongside the buildings to limit the views of the main road.

Members of the Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve council will ask the Montreal city council to authorize the demolition of Place Versailles on Monday.

They will also send the file to the city’s public consultation office (OCPM) – for public input.