Canada Malting demolition paused after partial collapse

Work to dismantle part of the former Canada Malting plant in Montreal’s Saint-Henri neighbourhood has been halted after a section of floors collapsed inside the nine-storey building. No one was hurt, the developer said.

Développement La Malterie S.E.C. said in a statement to CBC News that a portion of the floors had collapsed, leaving a facade wall without lateral support. The developer said it learned of the incident Wednesday from the company running the demolition, and that work was immediately halted and extra safety measures put in place.

The Sud-Ouest borough said the work is expected to start again Monday, but spokesperson Anyck Paradis warned of possible interruptions for evaluations and adjustments, CBC reported. The developer said work will resume only once the borough authorizes it based on experts’ recommendations.

The partial dismantling was announced in an Oct. 15 news release, after the borough issued an alteration permit. The developer said engineering experts had documented an imminent risk of collapse affecting the nine-storey building and its facade. Work was to begin the week of Oct. 19 and take five days, followed by equipment removal within 72 hours. The developer called that schedule preliminary.

An engineering report released earlier this month called the structure an imminent danger to public safety. Engineers warned that a brick facade wall had detached from the roof and was “hanging by a thread,” with a risk it could fall onto St-Ambroise Street, where it could injure pedestrians and damage parked vehicles.

The developer said it is working with the city to reassess its work methods so the job can continue safely. It said it has stepped up security at the site and is urging residents to stay outside the safety perimeter. The borough said its inspectors visit the site and meet regularly with the owner.

The landmark plant is the centre of the proposed La Malterie project, which the developer says would include 685 housing units, 20 per cent of them social housing, along with community and green spaces, shops and a restored link to the Lachine Canal. The developer said the proposal remains under borough review and that it aims to preserve the pink house on the site. Heritage advocates have questioned the emergency demolition. Earlier Canada News Media coverage of Montreal’s housing pressures includes Quebec’s emergency homelessness funds and the Montreal city professionals’ strike.

Sources: Développement La Malterie news release; CBC News.

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