Tashi Farmilo
LJI Reporter

A proposal to demolish the historic Manoir Quesnel and replace it with a 10-storey apartment
complex has sparked fierce opposition from residents in Gatineau’s Aylmer district. On February
11, at 1:30 pm, the Association des résidents du Parc Champlain et des environs will present its
arguments to the city council in the Salle Jean-Despréz at the Maison du Citoyen, located at 25
rue Laurier, urging officials to reject the plan and preserve the 19th-century building and its
ecologically significant surroundings.

The Manoir, located at 1175 chemin d’Aylmer, is more than just a historical structure. The three-
acre property features a natural waterway, a pond hosting a delicate ecosystem, and trees
estimated to be over a century old. Residents say these elements make the site an
irreplaceable part of the Champlain ecological corridor. The proposed redevelopment, which
would introduce 172 apartments on 10 storeys, has heightened concerns about the loss of both
heritage and environmental assets.

A heritage study submitted by the developer, Gris Orange Consultant Inc., concludes that the
Manoir does not meet the criteria for designation as a protected historical building. The report
argues that its architectural features lack originality and that its condition has deteriorated,
making restoration costly. However, opponents of the project dispute these findings,
emphasizing the building’s cultural significance and its integration into the natural landscape.

The community has framed the debate as a broader struggle between urban development and
the need to safeguard natural and historical spaces. Critics of the redevelopment note that the
site’s pond and surrounding greenery support unique flora and fauna, which would be
irreversibly affected by construction. The Association has also raised questions about whether
Gatineau’s urban planning policies adequately consider environmental sustainability in
decisions like this one.

The February 11 council meeting is expected to draw significant public interest, with the
Association calling on supporters to attend and voice their opposition. Residents are
encouraged to review the Gris Orange Consultant Inc. report, which can be found on the
group’s Facebook page “Amis de la forêt du corridor Champlain”, and to submit comments and
suggestions ahead of the meeting.

Photo: Residents in Gatineau’s Aylmer district are rallying to save the historic Manoir Quesnel, a
19th-century building surrounded by a rich ecological landscape, from demolition to make way
for a 10-storey, 172-unit apartment complex. (TF) Photo courtesy of the City of Gatineau