Former Montreal Children's Hospital officially sold to developer for $25M

The former site of the Montreal Children's Hospital officially has a new owner.

The MUHC announced on its website Thursday that the winning bid was placed by a numbered company. It's owned by real estate developer Luc Poirier.

According to Pierre Major, the associate director of planning and project management at the MUHC, the company paid $25 million for the building and property.

"It's been completely handed off," said Major. "Yesterday we were at the notary and, as of today, we're no longer responsible."

In November 2015, Poirier suggested using the property for a baseball stadium but wouldn't disclose any official plans for the site at the time.

Condos, offices, seniors residences are also possible, he noted.

The property and building, located at 2300 Tupper Street, was evaluated as being worth a little more than $45 million by the City of Montreal in 2015. The municipal assessment roll lists the property value as approximately $17 million and the building value as close to $28 million.

The site has been empty since the Children's Hospital moved to its new building in May 2015.

Uncertain future for building

Speaking to CBC, Major said the MUHC did not know of any plans or what might happen to the building.

Some residents shared their concerns that the building might be razed by its new owners.

"We've been hearing rumours," said Shireen Pasha, who lives around the corner from the hospital's site.

​"The people here are very angry, disappointed and scared something is going to happen to this building."

Annmarie Adams, Chair of the department of Social Studies of Medicine at McGill University and specialist in the history of hospital architecture, believes that the site should at least maintain its connection to children.

"The noble thing to do would be to reuse the building for the benefit of the children of Montreal," she said.

Adams also believes elements of the building, like the nurse's residence at the corner of René Lévesque Boulevard and Atwater Avenue, have heritage value and should be preserved.

Poirier became a high-profile player in local real estate following a series of ventures, including a failed bid to develop land on Île-Charron.