In Gatineau: building a city on the site of a former shopping centre

A Gatineau-based company has drawn inspiration from best practices around the world—particularly in the Danish capital, Copenhagen—to create an urban living model centered on community.

The project aims to transform the former Village Cartier shopping centre in Gatineau into an urban living environment inspired by European models. Valued at $1.3 billion, the new neighbourhood could include 2,600 residential units, integrating retail and public spaces to reduce car dependency and improve quality of life.

This concept could be replicated in other regions of Quebec, converting shopping centres into multifunctional spaces.

Listen to Jessy Desjardins, Vice President, Development and Design at Brigil, discuss the project with Jean-Sébastien Hammal on Thursday.

“It’s essential that we rethink how these spaces are used and encourage property owners to move forward with new models that are much more focused on human connections—creating a complete living environment rather than a single, functional centre where the only reason to go is to spend money.”
— Jessy Desjardins

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