October 14, 2026
Construction has officially begun on Quartier Molson, a major mixed-use redevelopment that will transform Montréal’s former Molson brewery complex into a new neighbourhood along the St. Lawrence River.
MONTONI and the Fonds immobilier de solidarité FTQ marked the milestone with a groundbreaking ceremony for the project, which is expected to take shape over seven to 10 years and ultimately include nearly 5,000 housing units, commercial spaces, restaurants, hotel accommodations, civic amenities and extensive public green space.
The first major component is CHAPITRE Quartier Molson, a 383-unit rental residential development representing an investment of more than $190 million.
Designed by Sid Lee Architecture, the building will also include a 22,000-square-foot supermarket serving residents and the surrounding community. Completion is targeted for summer 2028.
The project’s initial phase will also include work on the Îlot des Voltigeurs, the heritage component intended to become a central part of the new neighbourhood, as well as the first off-market housing units. Construction on those housing units is scheduled to begin in 2027.
Housing will be a major component of the redevelopment, with nearly 5,000 units planned across the site.
Approximately 1,000 are expected to be off-market housing units distributed throughout the neighbourhood to support a mix of housing options. The development agreement with the City of Montréal includes 717 such units on consortium-owned land.
Separately, a Société d’habitation et de développement de Montréal project is expected to provide approximately 370 social and affordable housing units, including about 150 enabled through land transferred by the developers.
Land has also been reserved for a potential school, although its development remains subject to decisions by the Centre de services scolaire de Montréal and Québec’s Ministry of Education.
Public space plays a prominent role in the Quartier Molson master plan.
The historic Sohmer Park, once a popular Montréal gathering place in the late 19th century, will be recreated in its original location. It is planned as a major public space with views of the St. Lawrence River, Île Sainte-Hélène, Jacques Cartier Bridge and the historic Molson tower.
Sohmer Park and the planned Craig Linear Park will together provide approximately 161,000 square feet of public space. Courtyards, pocket parks, gardens and gathering areas will further connect the neighbourhood, with green and public spaces accounting for 23% of the overall site.
The redevelopment will preserve important architectural and industrial elements of the former brewery.
Recognizable features including the Molson tower, chimney stack, clock and sign are expected to remain prominent parts of the site, connecting the new development with the brewery’s history and Montréal’s industrial heritage.
The Îlot des Voltigeurs will further integrate heritage buildings and features into the emerging neighbourhood.
Quartier Molson is being planned as a predominantly pedestrian neighbourhood connected to Montréal’s existing transit and active transportation networks.
The site is less than a 15-minute walk from the Champ-de-Mars, Beaudry and Papineau métro stations. Urban pathways, landscaped public areas and active transportation connections are intended to make walking and cycling central to movement through the neighbourhood.
MONTONI and its development partners are positioning Quartier Molson as a sustainable urban redevelopment project.
The development is targeting LEED and Zero-Carbon Building (ZCB) certification, while an energy loop capable of serving the entire neighbourhood is currently being studied.
The combination of brownfield redevelopment, higher-density housing, public green space, active transportation, heritage preservation and lower-carbon building strategies is intended to create a resilient neighbourhood along Montréal’s waterfront.
Design and development partners involved in Quartier Molson include Sid Lee Architecture, CCxA Architectes paysagistes and Équipe Laurence.
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