La Presse - A New Real Estate Project To Revive Downtown Gatineau

Revitalizing Gatineau’s Core and Attracting More Visitors:
That is the ambition behind 35 Laurier, a project by real estate developer Brigil. Featuring a modernized hotel, a diversified lodging offering, a public square, local shops, and an observatory open to everyone, this project—designed with the utmost respect for the city’s heritage—aims to transform this urban space into a must-see destination for the many tourists who pass through Ottawa and Gatineau each year.

A Vision Born of a Unique Location

The future 35 Laurier site occupies a prime position within the National Capital Region. Located in the Quartier-du-Musée along the Ottawa River, it is just steps from Canada’s Parliament and directly across from the Canadian Museum of History, the most visited museum in the country. Currently, the site consists of a hotel built several decades ago and a large parking lot, covering 85,000 square feet (approximately 8,000 square metres).

For Gilles Desjardins, Founder and President of Brigil, revisiting an already approved project and rethinking its vision to enhance it and make it more accessible represents a unique urban development opportunity.
“This site is a gateway to Gatineau, and it deserves to become a place that truly reflects what the city has to offer,” he explains, adding:
“We therefore want to give this area new momentum through a people-centered real estate project that will protect and showcase the richness of our heritage and historic buildings—such as the presbytery—while creating a gathering and inspiring space for both residents and visitors.”

For Brigil, the project is also an opportunity to create a true living environment for the community, businesspeople, and tourists, while establishing a physical and cultural connection with the downtown core and its cultural pathway, inviting residents and visitors alike to explore and enjoy it.

An Observatory and a New Tourism Offering

According to Brigil’s president, the project’s flagship feature is the observatory envisioned for the 45th floor of one of the two towers in the new complex. If approved by the City, it would offer a unique panoramic view of the region, with Canada’s Parliament on one side, Gatineau Park on the other, and the Ottawa River in the foreground. No existing infrastructure in the region currently provides such a 360-degree perspective.

“It’s surprising, but in the entire area, there is still no public space like this,” notes Gilles Desjardins.
“We want to allow people to admire the city from above, host cultural activities and events there, and create a new point of interest for tourists and Gatineau residents,” adds his son Jessy Desjardins, Vice President of Brigil.

At the same time, the complex will modernize and expand the hotel already on site. The addition of 200 new rooms will bring total capacity to 400, addressing a significant gap for hosting mid-sized conventions. Meeting rooms, restaurants, cafés, and retail shops will round out the offering and encourage visitors to extend their stay downtown.

A Major Economic Driver

With this combination of accommodations, public spaces, and local services, Brigil aims to inject new vitality into the Laurier sector.
“Each year, several thousand visitors pass through the Canadian Museum of History, but most of them leave Gatineau immediately after their visit,” notes Gilles Desjardins. By adding a hotel offering and a tourist attraction such as an observatory, the developer hopes to retain some of these visitors and generate economic benefits for nearby businesses and local restaurants.

“35 Laurier aligns with our desire to strengthen Gatineau’s position as one of Quebec’s three most important tourist gateways. We want to build a bold project capable of energizing the downtown core and reflecting the aspirations of our citizens.”
— Gilles Desjardins, Founder and President, Brigil

A Project Redesigned Around Public Spaces

Since 2021, Brigil’s team has conducted numerous public consultations and architecture competitions. Two calls for proposals generated about fifteen creative submissions, resulting in an approach that includes nearly 20,000 square feet (1,860 square metres) of ground-level space—the equivalent of 11 hockey rinks. This area will be dedicated to creating a large public square in harmony with the Quartier-du-Musée, as well as better integrating existing and heritage buildings into the urban landscape. These historical landmarks—such as the presbytery and 69 Laurier—will be highlighted throughout the project.

“We worked with architecture firms that understand the sensitivity of the downtown area. We want citizens to be proud of this project, as it has the potential to positively change the image of a sector that has been neglected for far too long.”
— Jessy Desjardins, Vice President, Development and Design, Brigil

For the Desjardins family, the project represents both a vision and a commitment. A public presentation is planned to allow the team to share its vision with residents and gather their ideas, ensuring the project becomes an inspiring achievement for everyone.

“We live here and we believe in our city. 35 Laurier will be a signature project designed to instill pride among Gatineau residents and show tourists that Gatineau has much to offer,” concludes Gilles Desjardins.