CHAMPLAIN URBAN VILLAGE THE COMPLETE NEIGHBOURHOOD PAR EXCELLENCE

GATINEAU – APRIL 28, 2023. Since 1985, Brigil has had a long-term development vision and has worked closely with the City of Gatineau and key community stakeholders to make it a reality.

 

Along with the protection and enhancement of our built and cultural heritage, the importance of environmental protection is at the heart of our thinking and emerges from our corporate values. The Brigil team is inspired by the desire to create "complete neighbourhoods" that promote active transportation, local purchasing, and a vibrant culture, while reducing dependence on the automobile.  It is this evolving vision of community well-being that leads us to build with purpose.

 

Brigil's new Champlain Urban Village: an innovative and sustainable community

 

In the same vein, Brigil recently launched the large-scale Champlain Urban Village project in the Aylmer sector. This innovative residential project is in line with modern urban planning trends and takes advantage of the best principles in terms of densification, environment, design and lifestyle improvement. The result: a housing stock adapted to the area's strong demographic growth.

 

In the 1990s, Brigil's founding president, Gilles Desjardins, surveyed the land and immediately fell in love with its topography and natural setting. The businessman quickly saw the enormous potential of the lot, which was once destined for embassy construction. Bordered by 3 golf courses, the Ottawa River and connected to a variety of nature trails and bike paths, the land enjoys an enviable location. It is also less than 2 km from the Champlain Bridge, 6.5 km from downtown Hull and only 8 km from the Ottawa Parliament.

 

Between 1996 and 2000, Brigil was already on the lookout for future trends, thanks to expert reports commissioned by the company, which identified the need to densify the area to accommodate future population growth.

 

In 2001, during the planning process for the sale of the approximately 460,000 sq. m. land, an ecological corridor of over 100,000 sq. m. was identified and protected, as well as a parcel of land that will later be dedicated to public infrastructure such as a school or park. This leaves approximately 340,000 sq. m. for the realization of Brigil's vision, a beautiful complete neighbourhood including housing, bike paths, public gathering places and many additional green spaces, such as two greenways and a central park.

 

The ABCs of the "complete neighbourhood”

 

Between 2002 and 2005, Brigil was a pioneer in meeting with various key stakeholders to present its vision of a "complete neighbourhood" – a neighbourhood where people can live, work and play, all within a 15-minute walk or bike ride from their homes. With the goal of reducing automobile dependency and promoting a sustainable and friendly lifestyle, Brigil is implementing an approach that promotes public transportation in a safe and secure manner.

 

The Champlain Urban Village project is designed around the principles of transit-oriented and pedestrian-oriented development. These concepts increase the use of alternative transportation and facilitate access to transit stations, particularly the future Tramway in the west, as well as to the commercial core on foot.

 

This land is a jewel, due to its location and its many development possibilities. That's why Brigil's president took the time to carefully analyze the various options available to him to present a flagship project that would live up to the full potential of this exceptional site. Far be it from him to "waste" a site of this calibre by developing it exclusively at low density.

 

A collaborative project

 

Brigil held a public consultation in 2020 to discuss its vision and directions for the project, which was very well received. Offering the perfect balance between nature and the city, this "complete neighbourhood" includes a range of services and activities nearby, including local merchants and cafés, telecommuting facilities, as well as numerous green spaces and parks.

 

Brigil is committed to collaborating and responding to any concerns about the project. In addition to discussions with the "Friends of the Champlain Corridor Forest", we are very pleased that representatives of the "Mothers on the Front Lines" group accepted our invitation on April 24 to discuss our common environmental objectives.

 

This meeting allowed us to start a dialogue on climate change. As citizen builders, we appreciated learning more about the concerns and objectives of Mothers on the Front. We have heard the group's demands and are analyzing, with the help of many experts, their requests as well as the content of the environmental report produced by Capital Nature.

 

A new way to imagine urban development

 

An original master plan was already adopted by the city council in 2016. The first phase, totaling two buildings and approximately 100 rental units, was launched in the fall of 2021 and is already 100% leased. Brigil has received all approvals for the second phase of the project, which will offer 329 units as well as a community building and pool.

 

Champlain Urban Village will ultimately be comprised of high-end rental units, single-family homes (for sale), commercial space and public gathering spaces. Subsequent phases will follow over the next few years to complete an urban village project of several thousand housing units.

 

The result of careful work that takes into account sustainable development and a reduced ecological footprint

 

The Brigil team worked meticulously to plan the harmonious integration of the various types of buildings, taking into account sunlight and wind. Safety is also a primary concern, so sidewalks and pathways will be adapted for everyone, including people with reduced mobility. This thoughtful design will promote well-being while reducing automobile dependency and toxic emissions. In addition, from a social perspective, the complete neighbourhood has been shown to foster equity, social connections, and a sense of community.

 

Taking full advantage of the surrounding natural spaces, the project is built while respecting and preserving the ponds and wooded areas of the site, including a 14,000 sq. m area in the heart of the project, where majestic mature oak trees stand. These efforts are essential to maintain the ecological integrity of the Ottawa River and Gatineau Park. In addition, local biodiversity will be further supported through the addition of native flowers and plants that do not require fertilization and through the creation of community gardens and a rainwater harvesting system, so that water does not enter the sewers and gradually drains into the ground. Finally, the creation of a network of extensively vegetated paths will ensure connectivity between natural environments (creation of ecological corridors) where wildlife and plant components can circulate and preserve regional biodiversity.

 

To learn more, visit villagechamplain.ca

 

Quotes

 

"We are committed to contributing to the area we all live in. The city belongs to people, to be a social network and create opportunities for people. Therefore, densification and social diversity are the cornerstones of sustainable urban growth and the only way forward to remain relevant as a city. This is a very exciting and significant moment for Brigil."  – Jessy Desjardins, Vice President of Development and Design at Brigil.

 

"Since the project's inception, several challenges have affected our ability to help address the housing crisis in Gatineau, including the global pandemic, labour shortages, rising inflation and soaring interest rates. However, the Brigil team is staying the course and mobilizing to continue offering complete living environments to the residents of the national capital. – Jessy Desjardins, vice president of development and design at Brigil.

 

"We want to provide residents with an environment where they can live a fulfilling life while reducing their environmental footprint. As an ethical and environmentally responsible developer, our responsibility goes beyond construction. The development of a community in this area serves to protect the urban perimeter, and the conservation of the area's natural environment remains at the forefront of this project." – Jessy Desjardins, vice president of development and design at Brigil.

 

About Brigil

Brigil is a leading real estate company in Canada's National Capital Region. Since 1985, it has built more than 14,000 housing units and owns nearly 4,000 rental units, plus 2,000 which are currently under construction. With an impressive collection of landholdings, Brigil intends to build more than 44,000 housing units within the next 20 years, strategically located in forty communities on both sides of the Ottawa River. Brigil is helping to alleviate the housing crisis while creating vibrant, sustainable and inclusive communities. Its founding president, Gilles Desjardins, is at the head of the family business, accompanied by his two sons, Jessy and Kevin. They are supported by a solid team of 300 professionals. Gilles Desjardins was awarded the Grand Bâtisseur (Great Builder) Award by the APCHQ Outaouais for his lifetime achievements. Committed to his community, he is recognized as one of Quebec's greatest patrons and received the Meritorious Service Medal of Canada from the Governor General in 2018. This is why the company’s mission goes beyond that of the builder. Brigil builds with purpose. For more information, please visit brigil.com 

 

 

-30-

 

For more information

Sylvie Carbonneau

Director, Communication and Marketing

Brigil

scarbonneau@brigil.com 

819 664-4118

 


Construction

Baseline

Brigil Follows Downtown Proposal with Plan for Three-Building Project on Baseline Road

After announcing plans to build more than 1,000 rental units at the site of the old Greyhound bus terminal in downtown Ottawa, Brigil says it wants to construct 700 rental suites next to property it is already developing on Baseline Road. The Gatineau-based firm’s latest proposal calls for two highrises of 28 and 32 storeys […]


Lire plus
Baseline

Baseline’s Second Tower : 179 More Units in Ottawa

Project characteristics : Brigil marked today the “groundbreaking” of the second tower of its Baseline community, located in Ottawa’s Qualicum neighbourhood. This significant milestone was achieved with the contribution of our business partner EBC, which specializes in large-scale projects. The 17-storey, 179-unit rental development will help respond to the growing housing demand in the area. Baseline Tower […]


Lire plus
Construction

Construction begins for Petrie’s Landing II, block 8

  NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE     CONSTRUCTION BEGINS FOR PETRIE’S LANDING II, BLOCK 8   OTTAWA – March 7th, 2023 – The Brigil team marked the start of construction on Block 8 in the Petrie's Landing II community with a traditional groundbreaking event today. Located along the Ottawa River in Orléans, this new and […]


Lire plus
Baseline

Baseline: An ideal way to support healthy living

If you’ve ever dreamed of elevating your personal baseline, a solution is at hand. Brigil, a leading builder of luxury rental accommodations throughout the National Capital Region, is nearing completion on an elegant new tower intentionally designed to redefine the idea of home by encouraging residents to put themselves first. Baseline by Brigil offers a […]


Lire plus
Construction

The Dale – One luxury tower is good. Two is better.

The Dale, located at 121 Parkdale, is a high-end rental building that has sprouted up in Mechanicsville/Hintonburg, becoming — for the time being at least — the tallest rental tower in Ottawa. The building is the first of two towers to be built at the site. A second, 28-storey tower is currently being built and […]


Lire plus
Baseline

Baseline: Live the Resort Life at Home in Brigil’s Newest Premium Apartments

Are you looking for a dynamic living environment that will remind you of an all-inclusive resort, promoting active living and relaxation as well as style and simplicity? The new Baseline community has all of this and more! Located in the lovely Qualicum area of near-west Ottawa at 2944 Baseline Rd., the first of three planned […]


Lire plus
Baseline

Baseline: New Brigil community offers the ideal environment to support healthy living

If you’ve ever dreamed about elevating your personal baseline, a solution is at hand. Brigil, a leading builder of luxury rental accommodations throughout the National Capital Region, is nearing completion of an elegant new tower intentionally designed to redefine the idea of home by encouraging residents to put themselves first. Baseline by Brigil offers a […]


Lire plus
Construction

The Dale : Life Unconventional.

The Dale: The Pleasure of Living, in Its Purest Form By building its latest tower in the heart of the artistic neighborhood of Hintonburg, Brigil offers undeniable appeal to both young professionals and active retirees who seek to combine the advantages of city living with the quality of life near nature. Indeed, The Dale is […]


Lire plus
Construction

The Dale: 33-Storey Rental Project Takes Luxury to New Heights

Jessy Desjardins has bought into his father’s vision, both personally and professionally. His dad is Brigil founder Gilles Desjardins, who has spent the past 35 years building a housing empire on both sides of the Ottawa River. His latest project is a high-end rental building that has sprouted up in Mechanicsville/Hintonburg, becoming the tallest rental […]


Lire plus
Columbia

The Launch of The Columbia Project : A Harmonious Pairing Between the Past and the Future

The real estate developer Brigil Construction officially launched the construction of its new luxury residential tower, Le Columbia, on Friday, located on Saint-Joseph Boulevard in Gatineau, where “the marriage of modernity and heritage become one,” the company highlights. The 20-story building, which will include approximately 240 condo units, is situated on the site of the […]


Lire plus

Pour être à l’affût de toutes nos nouvelles, c’est par ici

    Reset password

    Enter your email address and we will send you a link to change your password.