Construction equipment operational on Isle of Hull
Hull Island's Comeback: A Journey from Expropriations to Ambitious Revitalization
Hull Island, now the heart of Gatineau, has finally resurfaced after the tumultuous 1970s when it was ravaged for federal buildings and highways. Originally a working-class district on the Ottawa River's north shore, Hull Island is shedding its old skin and embracing a contemporary persona.
Steve Moran, Hull-Wright district city councillor and Gatineau's executive committee president, shares the distressing memories of the island's expropriation that forced thousands to relocate. "The entire fabric of the island was shattered, and the wounds still run deep," he commented. But change is afoot. The last major supermarket on Hull Island closed its doors in 1998, and only in 2024, a new one opened, marking a new chapter.
To boost housing construction, a tax credit program was initiated in 2010. This drive resulted in 4,000 units under construction by 2023, leading to the extension of the Downtown Housing Construction Subsidy Program. This new program aims to finance the construction of family or social housing, as well as more eco-efficient buildings, notes Steve Moran. And there are cranes everywhere on Hull Island, a testament to the revitalization.
Fraught Revisions
The makeover of Gatineau's downtown isn't without its obstacles. The Association of Residents and Residents of Hull Island (ARIH), established in 2002, heightened their efforts in 2021 to protect tenants' rights, with some evictions occurring without due consideration. The forceful eviction of tenants living near Fire Station 3 last year to make room for a residential tower was a turning point.
"Tenants were evicted abruptly, and we had to intervene," says ARIH's president, Daniel Cayley-Daoust. With pressure from elected officials, the mayor's office, and civil servants, the first modification to the demolition bylaw was made. Changes are still needed to modify practices, but progress is underway.
For nearly 10 years, ARIH has been imploring the City of Gatineau to preserve the unique matchstick houses, a century-old relic, to keep their legacy alive. "Many demolitions have been approved over the years, laments Mr. Cayley-Daoust. But the City has finally declared a moratorium on their demolition on Hull Island, while a preservation plan is developed."
A New Face Emerges
The 15-story Éléonore residential complex, situated west of the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge, marks a significant shift in Gatineau's downtown landscape. The complex rose from the demolition of eight old houses, but two historic buildings were saved.
Associate architect and president of blanchette archi.design, Patrick Blanchette, explains their significance, "These houses are a part of the site's heritage, and they helped define the architecture behind them." The use of red brick and a dynamic metallic cladding ensures unity and contrast, making the complex stand out.
The preservation of these two heritage buildings is an eco-friendly move, says Dominic Chainé, operational partner and vice-president of Oktodev. "It was inevitable for the building to aim for a LEED Gold certification because it's designed with sustainability in mind."
In September 2024, four months after its opening, all 242 units in Éléonore were rented, reveals Laurence Lachance-Fiset, marketing director at Oktodev. They're working hard to offer more at the Alexandra, a nearby project slated to open in 2026, with 314 units and a commercial space. Like Éléonore, the Alexandra, too, will aim for a LEED certification.
Explore the Éléonore website
[4]: Montreal Gazette, "Maison Oddo bakery"
- In 2023, the Downtown Hull Island revitalization project sees the construction of 4,000 housing units, thanks to a tax credit program initiated in 2010.
- In contrast to the rapid development, the Association of Residents and Residents of Hull Island (ARIH) has been advocating for tenant rights and historic preservation since 2002, with recent efforts intensified in 2021.
- In a significant move towards preservation, the City of Gatineau has declared a moratorium on the demolition of century-old matchstick houses on Hull Island, while a preservation plan is developed.
- The forthcoming Alexandra project, slated to open in 2026, will follow in the eco-friendly footsteps of the Éléonore residential complex, aiming for a LEED certification like its predecessor.
