MONTREAL, Oct. 1, 2026 /CNW/ -- The Groupe Développement La Malterie S.E.C., owner of the former Canada Malting site, wishes to inform the public of the measures that will be put in place today to secure the site and protect the public. This follows the most recent engineering report commissioned by the Southwest Borough as part of the site development file analysis. The report concludes that the building's advanced state of deterioration represents an imminent danger and recommends its demolition for public safety reasons.
Despite the measures implemented over the years, including barricading, 24-hour monitoring of the premises, and monitoring of the building's condition, the latest report confirms it is deteriorating at a worrying rate. The report calls for the immediate establishment of a security perimeter to be maintained until demolition work is completed.
This would involve securing the site, followed by the controlled demolition of the entire front part of the brick building, subject to the required borough authorization and based on recommendations from the deconstruction experts. Starting today, a portion of Saint-Ambroise Street will be closed in accordance with the traffic plan authorized by the borough. The duration of this closure will be determined based on the input and recommendations of structural experts.
Safeguards will be maintained as long as experts deem necessary to ensure public safety. Lastly, the deconstruction experts and engineers overseeing the operations will determine the sequence of events, their duration, and the methods to be used, according to the site-specific safety requirements.
A project to bring local memory to life
The developer who became the site's owner in 2024 is fully engaged to make it an exemplary project. This approach is based on in-depth research on the site's history and heritage value, participation in several consultations, and ongoing exchanges with the City and community stakeholders. A formal Request for Preliminary Notice was filed in November 2025 and the plans for the La Malterie project are still being analyzed by the borough.
The proposal includes 685 units, 20% of which will be social housing, as well as community spaces, public spaces, businesses, and community services. It also aims to restore access to the Lachine Canal, preserve the pink house, and preserve the site's industrial memory.
"The former Canada Malting site occupies a unique place in the history of Saint-Henri and in Montreal's industrial legacy. We are considering its future with great seriousness and sensitivity. We are working with the City and our experts to ensure that the required interventions are completed in a timely, rigorous, and controlled manner, with a focus on public safety. We remain fully committed to ensuring that the identity of this iconic site can be live on through the future La Malterie project," said Noam Schnitzer, on behalf of Development La Malterie S.E.C. and La Malterie Inc.
Lastly, the promoter remains committed to continuing his discussions with the borough and local stakeholders to offer Saint-Henri residents a new living environment that meets their needs and aspirations.
The project's engineering report and executive summary are available upon request.
SOURCE Développement La Malterie S.E.C. et La Malterie Inc.
Media Inquiries: Ryan Public Affairs, [email protected], 514-267-4153
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