Introduction
A MONTONI écoparc is much more than an industrial campus. It’s tangible proof that we can build differently—sustainably, smartly and humanly. Our site in Saint-Bruno, now at nearly full occupancy, set the stage for this new generation of industrial spaces. The Écoparc MONTONI Châteauguay 30 project, due for completion in May 2025, will further embody that same ambition: to create industrial work environments that are not only efficient, but inspirational.
Behind this approach lies a vision. That of MONTONI, but also that of Project Manager Masa Akil, who is leading these developments with conviction. The objectives were clear right from the design stage: aim high, targeting certifications like LEED Gold and Zero-Carbon Building (ZCB), which have become requisite here.
This article provides an overview of what these projects mean—to the landscape, for businesses and for the people working on these campuses daily.
The vision embraced by MONTONI
Écoparc MONTONI is about much more than property development. It’s the manifestation of an ambitious vision: to build industrial spaces that are resilient, sustainable and people-focused, designed to evolve along with the companies of today.
That vision first took shape with Écoparc Saint-Bruno, the first in a series of projects destined to redefine the standards of industrial property development in Québec. Led with enthusiasm and commitment by Project Manager Masa Akil and supported by solid partners like the Fonds immobilier de solidarité FTQ and AIMCo, the initiative got off to a remarkably auspicious start, with 75% of spaces leased before the end of construction and delivered in record time. It’s an achievement that Akil is especially proud of and that proves how companies’ needs are evolving toward industrial facilities that are more modern, more sustainable and more intelligently planned.
Every decision, every detail, every siting choice was informed by a strict standard of quality. Nothing was left to chance. We want to prove that an industrial campus can be innovative, inspiring and designed for the long term.
— Masa Akil, Project Manager, MONTONI
Sustainability: at the heart of every decision
Right from the initial sketches, Akil sought to demonstrate that an industrial park can be both efficient and environmentally responsible. Rather than adding a few “green touches” near the end of the project, the development followed sustainable building principles from the beginning, in every decision and down to the last detail, with LEED Gold and Zero-Carbon Building (ZCB) certifications targeted.
Renewable energy sources incorporated at the design stage
At Écoparc MONTONI Saint-Bruno, the results of that ambition are evident in the design of the roof, which features more than 750 solar panels that generate 5% of the energy consumed onsite.
At the same time, rainwater is collected and reused, enabling a 50% reduction in the use of potable water for plumbing fixtures—an initiative rarely seen in this type of infrastructure.
Taking the green commitment even further, high-efficiency mechanical systems, including heat pumps, have been installed. This, combined with a building envelope design that optimizes airtightness and insulation, reduces heating needs by more than 75% and cooling needs by 30%.
MONTONI has made choices that are ambitious, but sustainable. If we want buildings to last, we need to design them with the right resources in mind from the very start.
Sort. Reuse. Optimize. The keys to reducing waste at source.
Waste management is often a daunting challenge on an industrial worksite of this scale. For Akil, the vision was clear: scrupulously segment materials, recycle all that could be recycled, steer clear of toxic components and, above all, do whatever possible to minimize materials going to landfill.
“These actions, incorporated into the routine, have become a matter of course, a natural standard for all Écoparc MONTONI buildings,” she says.
Other, more discreet measures also reflect this attention to detail. For instance, mesh fabric was put up all around the site to catch windblown waste and keep it from contaminating nearby bodies of water—a practice often overlooked in real estate construction.It’s about respecting the site, the surroundings and the overall environment. We wanted the worksite to reflect the care we take at every step of our projects.
— Masa Akil, Project Manager, MONTONI
Accessible green campuses, focused on the mobility needs of tomorrow
With their locations near major highway routes, the MONTONI écoparcs in Saint-Bruno and Châteauguay are designed above all to satisfy clear logistical imperatives. For companies making that strategic choice, however, this can mean fewer sustainable transport options for employees and visitors.
With that in mind, we made sure to consider workers’ and visitors’ access to these sites with as much care as we put into the buildings themselves.
— Masa Akil, Project Manager, MONTONI
How could these sites be made more accessible, even if employees didn’t have cars? Gradually, concrete solutions were implemented: integration of bike paths, planning of future public transportation service with the city and inclusion of electric-vehicle charging stations. These concrete steps were taken with an eye to delivering real mobility options—and responding today to the needs of tomorrow.
Reconciling industry and nature: a changing vision of work
In Ms. Akil’s view, MONTONI’s écoparcs have nothing to do with the typical image people have of an industrial campus: “It’s about achieving a balanced blend of efficiency and wellness—a new way of approaching work in the industrial sector, in keeping with the image of MONTONI.”
Workspaces designed to put people first
Workers at Écoparc MONTONI sites enjoy spaces designed for wellness, both inside and outside. The buildings are bathed in natural light thanks to ample windows opening onto verdant courtyards. Outside, a lake, meticulously landscaped grounds, urban furniture and bike paths are further evidence of the attention paid to comfort and balance. No detail has been overlooked, creating a work environment that is stimulating, calming and resolutely people-centred.
This vision of a safe, comfortable and efficient workplace guided the design process for Écoparc MONTONI Saint-Bruno, with every detail designed to be conducive to health, engagement and appeal. With that in mind, MONTONI targeted LEED certification, with its strong focus on occupant wellness—an approach that underscores the company’s genuine commitment to workplace quality of life.
A living balance of architecture and nature
Perhaps the most potent symbol of this approach is the green roof at Écoparc Saint-Bruno—at over 151,600 square feet, the largest in Canada. This bold architectural statement enables improved water management, prevents heat islands, contributes to biodiversity development, captures air pollutants and improves building air efficiency.
The outdoor environment is an extension of the indoor experience, and vice versa.
A transformative choice for businesses
For a company, moving to a new industrial location also means defining how it plans to grow. For many, the environment it operates in is a strategic lever.
The goal is to reconcile efficiency, flexibility and responsibility.
Prime location at a crossroads of commerce
The optimum locations of the Saint-Bruno and Châteauguay Écoparcs, at the crossroads of major logistics corridors linking Québec, Ontario and the U.S., deliver invaluable efficiency gains every day.
For our tenants, it means easier deliveries, reduced lead times and simplified operations, plus natural connections to key markets. This logistical edge quickly becomes a competitive differentiator for these companies.
— Masa Akil, Project Manager, MONTONI
Industrial spaces optimized to better reflect your values
The facilities have been designed to evolve along with companies’ needs. From 40-foot ceilings to reinforced concrete slabs, vertical loading docks and modular configuration, every detail bears the MONTONI signature, guided by the objective of optimizing every square foot.
Looking beyond efficiency, the timeless esthetic of the sites enhances the image of companies that move there—a tangible way for them to embody their values, in the eyes of customers and employees alike.
A project driving local economic development
Behind the walls of Écoparc MONTONI Saint-Bruno, more than 300 people are already working every day—not to mention the many truck drivers, deliverypersons and visitors bringing life to the site. As projects progress, the benefits are multiplying, and extend far beyond the confines of the campus itself.
Retailers are setting up shop nearby, connections are being made between businesses that are now neighbours, and the growing influence of this well-thought-out workplace is attracting curiosity as well as talent.
Écoparc MONTONI is growing into more than an industrial centre. It’s an economic hub in motion, serving as a catalyst for development throughout the surrounding community.
This is only the beginning for Écoparc MONTONI
With 75% of spaces at Écoparc MONTONI Saint-Bruno already leased, the response from the market is clear: businesses are ready, willing and able to adopt a model of industrial property development that is more sustainable and more human. The next step is very close to completion, with delivery of the Écoparc MONTONI Châteauguay 30 project expected in May 2025.
At MONTONI, we see every new project as an opportunity to do better. To improve what’s already working and to innovate wherever and whenever we can. All with the ultimate objective of developing buildings that are ever more efficient, self-sufficient and in harmony with their environment.
What we’ve done here in Québec has the potential to resonate far beyond—because as industries change, their spaces must change as well. And Écoparc MONTONI intends to remain at the forefront of that transformation.
Written by
- Masa AkilProject Manager, ConstructionA civil engineer, Masa began her career at MONTONI as a junior project manager, before quickly rising through the ranks to become Project Manager, Construction. Renowned for her analytical mind and rigorous approach, she now oversees a number of major projects, including the Écoparc Saint-Bruno. She embodies the company's values of collaboration and innovation. As construction manager, she ensures alignment between design, estimating and execution.
