New 44-storey tower promises a strong ‘sense of place’
For Montreal real estate developer Benjamin Sternthal, the ideal building project is a marriage of logic and vision: not just financially successful, but also, in some way, remarkable.
“We believe in magic, and we believe in logic,” Sternthal said. “You can’t look at real estate development as an Excel model. You can’t forget you’re building for people.”
To Sternthal, whose development company Kodem has spearheaded a wide variety of projects including ski resorts, elementary schools, village centres and condo towers, a building is never just a building. It’s an opportunity to create meaningful places in urban spaces, to be a part of the transformation of a city from good to great.
Take Sternthal’s latest project, Solstice Montreal (solsticemontreal.com). It’s a 44-storey, 330-unit development to be built on de la Montagne St., south of René-Lévesque Blvd, just a short walk from the Lucien L’Allier métro and train station.
Solstice includes a long list of luxurious extras for residents of the building, but its design also aims to make a notable mark on the neighbourhood streetscape and the Montreal skyline.
“What we’re marketing and selling is really a sense of place,” Sternthal said. “When you buy into a building you buy into a community.”
The building is expected to be completed by 2021 and will be among the tallest in the city, Sternthal said. It will be crowned by unusual architectural features to create a distinctive landmark that will stand out amid the growing forest of towers downtown.
An elevated east-west pedestrian path to be built by the city of Montreal linking Overdale Ave. and de la Montagne will connect to a covered walkway snaking around the foot of the Solstice building. Sternthal said the project will include park-like landscaping and public art, like a mini version of New York City’s famous High Line, the elevated park built on the former New York Central Railroad.
Local entrepreneurs Luc Quenneville and Sylvain Ménard have teamed up for the project under the banner Consortium QMD -Ménard, bringing in Kodem to handle development on the project, along with MP1 for advertising and branding and the real estate marketing company SIX to manage sales.
With design work done by award-winning Montreal architectural firm NEUF, the unique shape of the building is the result of months of experimentation to find a way to bring more light in. The square footprint of the building is notched on two sides, creating an irregular shape with six corner units instead of four on the lower floors. With the exception of studios, every unit will also have a recessed balcony.
Internationally known Montreal-based ceramic artist Pascale Girardin has been commissioned to create two original works of art for Solstice: a mobile installation in the building ’s foyer as well as a dramatic textured mural that will be visible from the fourth-floor pool, spa and gym.
The focus on art and design isn’t by accident. Sternthal said the goal is to create an atmosphere like that of a boutique hotel: distinctive, luxurious and beautiful.
Interior finishing will incorporate oak and copper accents along with locally sourced Montreal stone, and Solstice has inked a partnership with high-end furniture store Restoration Hardware to fully furnish apartments for those buyers who desire it. Every unit will also have a full kitchen with an island, rather than the galley-style kitchens often seen in smaller apartments.
In addition to the expected amenities, like a swimming pool and gym, Solstice will incorporate spa-like hot and cold pools, an owner’s lounge reminiscent of a hotel bar, and a private wine cellar with access to a tasting room for entertaining guests.
It’s one thing to design a place of beauty. To create a place of belonging, a feeling of connection within a community is a much bigger challenge.
It’s a lofty aim, but as Montreal’s building boom continues, I hope we’ll see more developers do their best to try.