Canada Malting plant in Montreal's Sud

Canada Malting plant in Montreal's Sud-Ouest to be partially dismantled due to collapse risk

Dismantling of 9-storey building and facade to begin Oct. 19

The owners of the Canada Malting plant in the Sud-Ouest borough say the site will soon be partially dismantled in response to collapse risks highlighted in a recent engineering report.

The report, released earlier this month, found the structure represented an "imminent danger" to public safety.

One of the biggest risks was deemed to be a brick facade wall that engineers warned is “hanging by a thread" after having detached from the roof, prompting concerns it could collapse onto St-Ambroise Street, potentially injuring pedestrians and damaging parked vehicles.

The group responsible for the building, Développement La Malterie S.E.C., says that an alteration permit has since been issued by the borough, with significant development plans slated for the site once the plant has been demolished. The planned partial dismantling work is set to begin on Oct. 19.

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Members of the public are being asked to avoid the area during the operation, which is expected to take five days, followed by three days to remove heavy equipment.

"We are approaching these interventions with all the rigour and sensitivity this landmark demands, and we will continue to monitor the building's condition and carry out any necessary work," said real estate developer Noam Schnitzer, on behalf of the company.

The developer's proposal for the site, which remains under review by the borough, includes 685 housing units. Twenty per cent of those units would be dedicated to social housing. There would also be green spaces, as well as shops and services, including a grocery store and pharmacy.

The project aims to restore access to the Lachine Canal, according to the developer, and to preserve the famous pink house that sits atop the plant.

Engineer warns this Montreal building along the Lachine Canal could collapse any minute