Highlights
- Name: Mellem Ville-Marie
- Address: Ontario Street E, Montreal, Qc, Canada
- Customer: Maître Carré
- Architects and Interior Designer: ADHOC
- Structural Engineer: Génimac
- Electrical, Civil, and Mechanical Engineer: Desjardins Experts-Conseil
- Landscape Architect: Version Paysage
- Energy Efficiency Consultant: AEdifica
- Accessorization: Maripier Edwar
- Lighting: Luminaires Authentik
- Project Completion Date: May 2024
- Photographer: Maxime Brouillet
Facing rising housing demand, Mellem Ville-Marie introduces a model of gentle densification that prioritizes community, sustainability, and Montreal’s architectural identity. Designed by the local firm ADHOC for developer Maître Carré, this 216-home project illustrates how thoughtful architecture can integrate new developments into established neighborhoods while honoring local culture and addressing contemporary housing challenges.
Designing for Context and Community
Situated within Montreal’s Ville-Marie district, Mellem Ville-Marie carefully blends into the neighborhood with a variety of residential layouts that respect the area’s urban fabric. The architecture is designed with both functional and aesthetic elements, featuring fragmented facades that reduce visual mass and maintain a human scale. Units range from studios to three-bedroom apartments, each with private outdoor spaces, ensuring diverse housing options for different needs. Over 60 housing typologies are incorporated, optimized for natural light and ventilation, allowing residents to connect with the outdoors while enjoying comfort indoors.
This attention to detail helps the development fit within the neighborhood seamlessly. The building’s materials, including brick and steel, subtly recall the area’s industrial heritage, offering a familiar aesthetic that respects Montreal’s urban landscape.
Embracing Montreal’s Cultural Identity
Montreal’s status as a UNESCO City of Design is woven into the fabric of Mellem Ville-Marie, with urban art playing a significant role in the project’s character. The building’s structure includes blank walls and archways that host works by local graffiti and street artists, giving it a strong cultural presence that resonates with the creative spirit of the neighborhood. Positioned near the De Rouen Street tunnel—a well-known site for legal graffiti—the project enriches the area’s aesthetic, adding a visual layer that reflects Montreal’s creative heritage.
This urban art is more than decorative; it celebrates local artists and brings color and character to the development, making it feel more like a part of the existing neighborhood. It also invites both residents and visitors to engage with Montreal’s dynamic art scene, transforming Mellem Ville-Marie into a canvas for the city’s creativity.
Social Spaces that Foster Connection
Mellem Ville-Marie’s design encourages social interaction through thoughtful shared spaces. On the ground floor, a bright coworking area open to the street provides a versatile place for residents and neighbors to work or relax, creating a connection between the building and its surroundings. Directly linked to a café and bar, the space fosters a lively, welcoming atmosphere that resonates with Montreal’s communal spirit.
The rooftop, another hub of activity, includes a communal kitchen and lounge that act as gathering spots for residents, enhancing a sense of belonging. The rooftop terrace also offers planters for urban gardening, allowing residents to grow their own herbs and plants while participating in Montreal’s push for sustainable, local agriculture. These communal areas strengthen social ties, encouraging residents to engage with one another and with the local community.
Building for a Sustainable Future
Sustainability lies at the heart of Mellem Ville-Marie’s design. The project minimizes car parking, offering only 0.25 spots per unit, and instead emphasizes active mobility with abundant bike storage. This shift encourages residents to choose sustainable transportation options, supporting Montreal’s environmental goals.
Mellem Ville-Marie reflects a larger trend in urban design, one that values sustainability and community as central tenets of modern housing. By combining efficient land use, a strong connection to local heritage, and thoughtful community amenities, the project demonstrates how urban densification can be achieved without compromising quality of life or cultural identity.
This approach to gentle densification serves as a model for other cities seeking to address housing needs while enhancing the vitality of their neighborhoods. Mellem Ville-Marie’s emphasis on integration, sustainability, and community engagement illustrates how architecture can help shape an inclusive and resilient urban future, enriching the experience of both residents and the wider city.
