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 Columbia Farm, which was acquired by the company in 2007. The tower will be built behind the historic house of the Columbia Farm, whose historical charm will be integrated into the real estate project.
“It’s not every day that we have the opportunity to undertake a project where the foundation is a building that has been standing for nearly 200 years, built by Philemon Wright in 1835. The historic site of the Columbia Farm is a place we want to preserve at all costs. We are putting a lot of effort into this,” explained Jessy Desjardins from Brigil Construction.
The house received its heritage designation in 1988. The developers are seeking the public’s help as they are looking for photos, illustrations, and written stories unknown to the public in order to paint a complete picture of the importance of the Columbia Farm in the local heritage.
“We want to integrate historical elements into the exterior design between the Columbia tower and the heritage building in order to engrave in our collective memory this witness to our past. Future generations deserve it,” said Brigil President Gilles Desjardins.
No artifacts were found during the excavation work where the tower will be erected, but the stone from the retaining walls of the farm’s inner courtyard was dismantled, cleaned, and will be re-integrated into the facade of the new building, the developers noted.
Construction of the luxury apartment tower, located at the intersection of Saint-Joseph Boulevard and Gamelin Street, is expected to be completed by the summer or fall of 2021. The building will feature a panoramic lounge on the top floor with a pool and spa, a rooftop terrace, and a medical clinic.
Excavation work is progressing well at the site of the future Le Columbia community in Gatineau.
The size of the units will range from 515 square feet to 1,131 square feet. The project is valued at $85 million.
“For me, today is a big day. I want to assure you that our primary intention is to protect this beautiful building,” emphasized Gilles Desjardins, referring to the Columbia Farmhouse.
