Montreal-based developer Brivia Group recently acquired the Mansfield Athletic Club site located at 1230 Mansfield St., at the corner of Ste-Catherine St. The building, known for its striking red bricks and early-20th-century architecture, formerly housed the historic Loew’s Theatre.
“By purchasing this building, we hope to be part of the revitalization of Ste-Catherine,” said Vincent Kou, vice-president of corporate development and growth for Brivia Group.
According to Gascon and Associates LLP, the developer purchased the 50,000-square-foot property for over $20 million. While Kou says it is too early to determine exactly what type of building will be established at the site, he says the group is contemplating rental units, condos and even a hotel.
“We are still envisioning the best product that can fit in the site, but we are virtually certain that it will be residential,” he said.
The Mansfield site, recognized as one of Montreal’s oldest theatre buildings, was built in the early 1900s. In its heyday, the Loew’s Theatre hosted live performances and film screenings. At the turn of the century, the building was repurposed into an entertainment complex, before housing the athletic club in 2005.
“Our architects are working closely with the city to determine what aspects will be maintained and what will be removed,” Kou said. “It’s an ongoing process at this time.”
Kou says that, given the discussions with the city and the extensive planning involved, he expects excavations to begin in two years.
The Mansfield Athletic Club isn’t the only Montreal fitness centre to be involved in a recent real estate transaction. Last year, Devimco Immobilier purchased the property of Club Sportif MAA, Montreal’s oldest athletics club, in a deal that will result in a $150-million, 31-storey condo tower being built on the site of the 138-year-old building. Construction is slated to begin this fall.
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