UQÀM will build a new building on this site to house the École des sciences de la gestion (Management Sciences). Studies conducted for UQÀM following the departure of the CLSC revealed that it was impossible to keep all of the existing structural elements. However, the elements with a strong heritage and architectural potential, such as the main façade and the interior courtyard, will be preserved in the new project led by the SAJO company and which should be completed in the summer of 2022. There appears to be an exercise in “façadisme” here, a method used in many other real estate projects in a heritage context.

In order to proceed with this project, an amendment to the City of Montreal’s Urban Plan was required to include the “remains of the former Alexandra School” in the list of buildings of heritage and architectural interest outside sectors of exceptional value. In accordance with the Act Respecting Land Use Planning and Development, a 15-day written consultation was declared by a public notice (in French), published on June 13, 2020.

Following this consultation, a second draft resolution (in French) to authorize “the partial demolition and expansion of the building located at 1240 Sanguinet Street” was adopted at the regular meeting of the Ville-Marie borough council on July 8, 2020, allowing the adoption procedure for the partial demolition and expansion of the building to proceed. Also, it allowed the opening of the referendum process as required by the law. Unfortunately, no request to participate in a referendum was received by the borough authorities; therefore, resolution CA20 240364 was unanimously adopted by Ville-Marie’s elected officials (in French) at the September 8, 2020 borough council meeting, allowing work to begin at the former Alexandra School.

The work was completed a few years later. The main façade, as well as the windows, was restored, and a one-storey addition was built.