NEWS
Builder of Excellence!
With its expertise in the design, creation, and delivery of multi-residential projects, Groupe Montclair was awarded last May the Construire prize from the Association de la construction du Québec (ACQ), earning the prestigious title of Builder of Excellence. With this recognition, the ACQ wished to highlight the 75 years of history of this family-owned company, where attention to detail has always been part of a tradition of excellence.
“This award represents an important mark of recognition from our peers in the industry. The competition is fierce. There are several major players in the market right now. To be ranked among the best in Montreal—if not the very best—is a great source of pride for us,” says Nicolas Galardo, partner and Director of Sales and Marketing at Groupe Montclair.
He runs the company alongside three other partners: Project Manager Henrik Houle; Foreman Stéphane Geoffroy; and his father Greg, who is helping him carry on the family legacy. “We are the new generation! When the previous one saw that we were ready to take our place, they let us take the reins,” explains Galardo.
Bois-Franc Neighbourhood
Montclair is one of the two developers who founded the Bois-Franc neighbourhood, located in the borough of Saint-Laurent. This area offers an exceptional quality of life with abundant green and blue spaces, a wide range of services and local shops, quick access to downtown in about 15 minutes, and a variety of housing options.
While the first homes built in the neighbourhood were townhouses, today only condos are being developed. All of these are located within about 300 metres of the Bois-Franc REM station. “A station was named after the project. That shows how important Bois-Franc is in Montreal,” Galardo points out.
According to him, the neighbourhood is an asset in itself, being recognized for its lakes and parks, which occupy 31% of its surface area. “Just a five-minute walk from your condo, you can find yourself in a million-square-foot park with two water basins, a diverse range of wildlife and plant life. It’s truly impressive! In the middle of the city, you feel completely surrounded by nature,” he adds.
A Winning Formula
Groupe Montclair not only builds superior-quality residences, but also works to reduce the ecological footprint of each project. To achieve this, the company complies with regulations and takes every environmental aspect into account during planning and construction, particularly by aiming for LEED certification. Whether in terms of energy efficiency or soundproofing, Montclair maintains very high standards.
Montclair projects also stand out for their striking interior design and timeless architecture. Buyers can choose from a variety of models. “When it comes to design, we strive to introduce new trends. We don’t limit ourselves to what’s already being done in Montreal,” Galardo explains.
Indeed, Montclair’s consultants keep a close eye on emerging trends worldwide, especially in Europe, and draw inspiration from them. In today’s “dry spell” in the market, these criteria set Montclair homes apart from competitors. “Since real estate is such a competitive industry, we must determine what gives us a competitive edge. All of these elements together form a winning formula. That’s what makes us stand out from other developers,” he says.
After-Sales Service
The developer is proud to uphold its reputation—one home at a time. “In this borough, many of our condo buyers are already from Saint-Laurent. People know us and talk about us. We rely heavily on word-of-mouth to attract new clients. One of the pillars of our reputation and success is our after-sales service. We provide one year of after-sales support after project completion to all our clients. We leave nothing aside. If there are inconveniences or touch-ups required, we are always there to help and fix the issue,” Galardo assures.
In other words, homes delivered to clients are taken care of from A to Z. This guarantees that clients end up with a quality product that will not cause them problems.
Great Potential
Groupe Montclair works hand in hand with its subcontractors—often linked through long-lasting relationships—as well as with stakeholders and borough officials to secure project approvals. The company shows patience at every step, as approval processes have become increasingly complex over the years.
“When it comes to urban planning, everything must integrate well with the neighbourhood. A sense of harmony must be created, which is entirely legitimate. At the same time, this adds many steps to the construction process,” Galardo admits.
In addition to integrating harmoniously into the neighbourhood, Montclair’s residential projects in Bois-Franc align with the density targets set for municipal growth. The development potential of the area, which is far from fully tapped, will certainly keep Montclair busy for many years to come. “There’s potential to build 750 new condos,” Galardo explains.
