Innovative Public-Private Partnership to Transform Affordable Housing in Montreal

📅 6 days ago 🏷️ Broccolini

A collaborative effort between Broccolini and Bâtir son Quartier aims to create nearly 800 rental units, including affordable housing, in the Triangle Nord Pointe-Saint-Charles project, showcasing a new model for public-private partnerships in Montreal.

On November 4, 2025, the Rendez-vous de l’Habitation, organized by the Société d’habitation du Québec, featured a panel discussion that highlighted a significant collaboration between the private sector and community organizations. Adam Martelli, Vice President of Residential Real Estate Development at Broccolini, and Yann Omer-Kassin, Development Coordinator at Bâtir son Quartier, came together to present the Triangle Nord Pointe-Saint-Charles project. This ambitious initiative is part of the broader redevelopment efforts in the Bridge–Bonaventure district, a formerly industrial area in Montreal’s Sud-Ouest that is currently undergoing extensive transformation.
The Triangle Nord Pointe-Saint-Charles project will see the construction of two twin towers on a large site located at the intersection of Bridge, Wellington, and Saint-Patrick streets. These towers will provide nearly 800 rental units, of which 376 will be designated as affordable, non-market apartments. The origins of this project can be traced back to 2022, when the City of Montreal initiated the Chantier Montréal Abordable, aimed at rethinking the production of affordable housing in the city. This initiative was co-chaired by Édith Cyr, Roger Plamondon, who is the outgoing President of Broccolini, and Mayor Benoit Dorais. It served as a platform for stakeholders from various sectors to come together, exchange ideas, and establish a shared understanding of their objectives.
Édith Cyr noted, "It was in this context that the relationship of trust between Broccolini and Bâtir son Quartier took shape. We realized that we shared the same goal: to house more families, more quickly, at a reasonable cost, without compromising on quality." This collaborative spirit led to the conception of the joint project, which also includes Point Commun, a non-profit organization based in Montreal’s Sud-Ouest, as a key partner from the beginning.
Adam Martelli emphasized the importance of transparency in their partnership, stating, "We began by acknowledging our respective strengths and limitations. Broccolini brings expertise in design-build execution and in cost and schedule management, while Bâtir son Quartier contributes its deep understanding of public programs and social and community structuring." This open-book approach, which involves complete sharing of data, margins, risks, and decision-making processes, has successfully eliminated budget redundancies and fostered genuine trust among the partners and the Société d’habitation du Québec (SHQ).
Martelli remarked, "It’s rare for a public–private partnership to operate with such fluidity. We were able to recalculate reserves together, adjust financing parameters in real time, and find optimal solutions, without losing momentum." The financial aspect of the project is also noteworthy, with projected costs estimated at around $130 million. The funding structure combines federal, provincial, and municipal resources, alongside patient capital and institutional loans, creating a cross-leveraged financing model aimed at maximizing the number of affordable units for every public dollar invested.
The design of the project focuses on density and efficiency, featuring 20 storeys, vertically stacked typologies, and shared infrastructure. The average cost per affordable unit aligns with the targeted subsidy of $100,000 per unit, while ensuring that the architectural standards remain sustainable and appealing. Construction of the non-market housing component is slated to commence in summer 2026, with an expected completion date in fall 2028.
Beyond the immediate goals of the Triangle Nord Pointe-Saint-Charles project, the panel discussion underscored a governance and transparency framework that could serve as a model for future partnerships. Martelli concluded, "Every public dollar can go further when stakeholders share their information and objectives from the outset." For Broccolini and Bâtir son Quartier, this initiative exemplifies how affordable housing can be approached differently through collaboration, mutual respect, and a focus on results rather than mere recognition. Thus, Triangle Nord Pointe-Saint-Charles stands not only as a construction endeavor but also as a living laboratory for social and real estate innovation, contributing to a more inclusive urban landscape.

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