The architecture of the current building already brings with it a sense of originality and uniqueness. As for the two massive chimneys towering above it, they seem to show us the way forward—reaching toward the sky, pointed toward infinity, like endless possibilities.

Once recognized as the most modern incinerator in North America—and later as a major polluter—the Des Carrières incinerator has since become a gigantic tomb. It is time to restore dignity to 1310 by transforming this piece of industrial heritage into a symbol of environmental renewal, business-community collaboration, and urban, cultural, and economic development—with a visibility that knows no borders. Now, 45 years after its inauguration, the City of Montreal has announced plans to demolish the structure to make way for road expansion. But we must consider the projects that could turn 1310 into one of Montreal’s most remarkable landmarks.

Several proposals have been put forward to repurpose the Des Carrières incinerator. In the 2000s, Taz had hoped to convert the site into a recreational center for youth, with a skatepark, climbing walls, and a snow park. The project was ultimately abandoned in favor of the Frédéric-Back Park in Saint-Michel.

In 2015, as part of the City of Montreal’s development plan, a “Green Cathedral” project to transform the incinerator into hanging gardens was not selected. In 2018, the borough of Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie commissioned a team from the Faculty of Environmental Design at the Université de Montréal to analyze and propose an intervention plan for the site.

Currently, the incinerator is used as a warehouse by the city’s road maintenance department. It was damaged by two fires, one in 2015 and another in 2019.

In 2025, the city announced the demolition of the access ramp due to its advanced state of deterioration and obsolescence. According to the City of Montreal, dismantling the ramp is intended to ensure the safety of those using the site, improve the layout of the yard, and allow for better space management.