Developers want to build twin residential skyscrapers that would be tallest in Montreal

A consortium of real estate developers have started promoting a $700-million pair of residential towers that woulddominate Montreal's skyline well before municipal officials have given the project a green light.

Developers announced Thursday that theMAESTRIA, the proposed mixed-use complex which would rise more than 50-storeys high on the site of the long-closed Spectrum theatre in the Quartier des Spectacles, will include some 1,000 "prestigious" condos, 500 rental units and a window-lined bridge connecting the two towers 25 floors up.

It was designed in collaboration with the architectural firmLemay. In the announcement,the firm's senior partner, Daniel Arbour, describes the two towers as "seemingly in motion, like a pair of tango dancers."

Construction is slated to begin by the end of 2019 and unbuilt condos are tohit the market in February, the announcement says.

Butcity spokespersonYoussefAmane is calling the announcementa "publicity stunt," because the project hasn'teven been submitted to the Ville-Marie borough's planning advisory committee for review.

"They are doingeverything upside down," Amane told Radio-Canada.

The city's administration is not for oragainst the project, he explained, but there are steps that need to be followed the first beingthe borough's confirmation thatthe project respects local zoning regulations.

With a project of this magnitude, he said, the city can always call for changes along the way.

Integrating into QuartierdesSpectacles

The project is being developed by Devimco Immobilier, the Fonds immobilier de solidarit FTQ and Fiera Properties.

The announcement says there areplans to incorporate the project into the area's cultural scene.

Highlights of the project include indoor parking, pools, a Scandinavianspa, a movie theatre, retail spaces, games for children andtwo sky lounges.

Signs touting the towers are already up on the site. The towers are to include access points offJeanne-Mance, Bleury and Ste-Catherine streets all steps away from the Place des Arts, in a district alive with festivals and other events throughout the year.

At 53storeys, one of the towers, if built,would be the tallest building in Montreal.

DinuBumbaru, policy director for Heritage Montreal, says a skyscraper doesn't fit into the urban landscape on Ste-Catherine Street, as it might on, say, Ren-Lvesque Boulevard.

He questions if it's a real development or just flashy images "that don't seem to fit the Montreal landscape."

He said that site, in particular, couldalso bea huge loss to the public.

"So much public money has been spent on the Place des Festivals.If you drown it in shade, or a wind vortex, with a bad highrise around it, you end up wasting $100 million of public money,"Bumbarusaid.

NormandBlanger, president and CEO of the Fondsimmobilier, said, however, that the project wouldhelp drive the city's economy.

"As a reminder of the glory days of the Spectrum, we plan to incorporate some commemorative items, including a collection from the legendary concert venue's archives," Blangersaid.

Veteran developers back project

The companiesbehind the project are mainstays in the greater Montreal region.

Devimco, headquartered in Brossard, is behind the Quartier Dix30and was responsible for one third of all new condos in downtown Montreal in 2017.

Fiera Properties manages some $3 billion of commercial real estate through its investment funds and accounts, according to its website. It isowned byFiera Capital Corporation, aninvestment-management firm with more than $143 billion of assets under its management.

Fonds immobilier acquired the land of the old theatre after it closed in 2007.