Tramway corridor densification

Council approves expansion of Taché Boul heritage home, adding 169 new units

Sophie Demers 

At the June 11 Gatineau municipal council meeting, the expansion of 771 Boulevard Alexandre-Taché was approved. The 1937 heritage building, the John Hamilton House, has been abandoned for some time. The land also includes a large courtyard that is currently overgrown. The northern border of the property is along boulevard Alexandre-Taché and southern border along boulevard Lucerne.

The developers committed to protecting and preserving five existing trees on the property during construction and planting 100 new trees to get the site back to the original number of trees. 

The plan for the new building includes conserving and restoring the heritage home while adding a modern expansion comprising eight storeys and 169 units. There will also be three levels of underground parking. The project is recommended by the city’s Service de l'Urbanisme et de Développement Durable (SUDD). 

The project took some time to get social acceptability from the neighbourhood. Residents of the Place Champlain neighbourhood first mobilized in June 2023 after hearing about the project. There were some difficulties getting their voices heard and getting the proper information. Residents said this spoke to the need for developers to have public consultations when they plan a project.  “Despite some obstacles and lack of information in the beginning, with the help of Deschênes councillor Caroline Murray, citizens were able to work with the developer, who saw the value in their suggestions,” said one resident. 

Another resident thanked the developers and architects for revising their plans to better integrate the building in the neighbourhood and their commitment to restoring and conserving the heritage home. “I am happy that tonight we are approving this project,” said Murray in a statement during the council meeting. “It is an excellent example showing that if the developer had consulted residents, we would have wasted less time. In the end it was done, the developer, residents, elected officials and city administration were able to talk and improve the project. The goal is never to block projects, simply to improve them to ensure they respond to the needs of the community.” 

Photo caption: Digital plans for the expansion of the John Hamilton House located at 771 Boulevard Alexandre-Taché

Photo credit: Campanella et associés, architecture et design