After many ideas, including a baseball stadium, the public got its first look at the plan to redevelop the grounds where the former Montreal Children's Hospital stands.
The plan for the space at the corner of René Levesque Blvd and Atwater Ave. will see six high-rise towers, ranging from 20 to 32 stories, housing 600 condominium units, 600 apartments for rent, and feature dozens of social housing units all while including a community centre, several stores and possible a library.
If everything continues to move along as planned, the joint Devimco, Fiera Capital and FTQ project can begin demolition in June.
Once the old hospital is torn down, up to eight buildings could be constructed on the lot.
"We're quite happy and proud about that, almost 175 units in a tower of 20 stories," Brian Fahey of Devimco told CTV Montreal.
The city said in the middle of the towers will be a green space accessible to everyone.
"This is great. It's going to have a community centre and how many years have people in western downtown been asking for a community centre?" city councillor Steve Shanahan said.
It's possible a school could also be included, though officials said it would require eliminating a nearby park.
During the first night of public consultations the main sticking point for residents was just how tall the buildings are set to be, with one woman who has lived in the area for 45 years saying "the look of the area is going to change the parks are doing to be dwarfed."
Fahey agreed and noted the consultations will help improve on the design and make for a better project.