The story of Îlot Dorchester goes all the way back to the early days of the French colony of New France. In those first few decades, the site was a bustling hub of craftsmanship, a place where artisans and labourers lived, worked, and sold their wares from traditional stall-front homes. As the Industrial Revolution took hold, the Saint-Roch district emerged as major manufacturing centre, led by pioneers like Dominion Corset.

However, as globalization shifted the industrial landscape, the site evolved once again. By the 1980s, it had become a transit hub and home to the city’s bus station. When these transit operations eventually moved, the site served as little more than a sprawling open-air parking lot for decades.

Today, that commercial parking lot—framed by Dorchester, Sainte-Hélène, Caron, and Saint-Vallier streets—is home to the future Îlot Dorchester. It represents the last true redevelopment opportunity in Saint-Roch that requires no demolition. This nearly 10,000 m2 canvas offers a world of possibilities: a chance to build a thoughtful new landmark that aligns with today’s urban priorities, right in the heart of one of Quebec City’s most vibrant neighbourhoods. This is our vision for Îlot Dorchester.

• 400 residential units (no short-term rentals)
  • 40 affordable housing units ($1,027/month or less), including 20 units capped at 25% of gross income (Programme de supplément au loyer)
• A full-service grocery store in the heart of the neighbourhood
• A dedicated arts space to showcase local talent
• A 150-room hotel to help boost tourism in the area and reduce pressure on the local housing market caused by short-term rentals (like Airbnb)
• Numerous local businesses with 16,500 sq. ft. of dedicated space
• A public park open to all residents and the public

For over 10 years, Trudel has made voluntary public consultation a core part of its business model. Because we believe in doing things right, we have held numerous consultation sessions, meetings, and discussions with local residents over the years.

Here is the overall project timeline, as of April 2026.

Spring 2026

• Site setup, soil decontamination, preparation

• Excavation begins and shoring (Berlin) walls are installed

Fall 2026

Formwork and reinforcement work begins

Winter 2027

Structural work, window installation, and insulation begin

Fall 2027

Interior fit-out begins for residential units and commercial spaces

Winter 2029

Exterior landscaping

Summer 2029

Construction ends and project is delivered

Our dispatch centre is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call us at 418 614-1550 or toll-free at 1-888-614-1550, or email us at infoprojets@trudel.ca.