The Canada Malting plant owners in Sud-Ouest borough are set to partially dismantle the site due to safety concerns identified in a recent engineering report. The report, released this month, indicated that the structure posed an immediate risk to public safety, particularly from a detached brick facade wall that engineers warned was on the verge of collapsing onto St-Ambroise Street. Développement La Malterie S.E.C., the group overseeing the building, has obtained an alteration permit from the borough to proceed with the partial dismantling starting on October 19. The operation, expected to last five days followed by three days for equipment removal, will require public avoidance of the area.
Real estate developer Noam Schnitzer, representing the company, emphasized the careful approach being taken to address the building’s condition. The proposed development plans for the site, which are currently under review by the borough, include 685 housing units with 20% allocated for social housing, as well as green spaces, shops, a grocery store, and a pharmacy. The project aims to restore access to the Lachine Canal and preserve the iconic pink house atop the plant. The developer’s commitment to monitoring and maintaining the building’s integrity remains a priority as the project progresses.