Construction of Montréal's Largest Next-Generation Data Centre

A Fonds immobilier de solidarité FTQ and Urbacon Partnership

MONTRÉAL, March 13, 2015 /PRNewswire/ - A brand new, highly secure next-generation data centre is under construction in downtown Montréal and is slated for occupancy by year-end. This project was made possible by a partnership between the Fonds immobilier de solidarité FTQ and Urbacon.

Located at 544 rue de l'Inspecteur, close to the financial district, the new data centre will take shape on a 43,000-square-foot lot. An existing building will be converted into 19,000 square feet of leasable office space, while an adjacent 10-storey building, built to green standards and to the highest security standards for server and data hosting, will add another 234,000 square feet.   The only purpose built next-generation data centre in Montreal, the project will also be the City's largest, most secure mission critical facility.

"Many companies have their data hosted in buildings that have been converted into data centres, offering a less than optimal or modern environment and often located outside the city. By building from the ground up, the 544 Project will provide a world-class facility that will meet all relevant criteria in terms of structural aspects, security, mechanical equipment and electrical systems for a leading edge data centre. The project represents the evolution of the data centre in Montreal," said Peter Russell, Vice President at Urbacon.

"This is a major project valued at some $70 million and that will create, with construction, almost 600 jobs. We're convinced that companies in search of hosting services will find what they need in this new strategically located, quality building, whose construction is being overseen by Urbacon, a company with 30 years of experience in this field," continued Normand Bélanger, President and CEO of the Fonds immobilier de solidarité FTQ.

Building features
The Centre de données de Montréal will be the biggest and most secure building of its kind in the city, offering a high performance fibre optic system with multiple broadband fibre connections to diverse providers, reinforced floors, 16-ft. ceilings, centralized switchgear and 24/7 security. 

About Urbacon
Since 1984 Urbacon has brought a new standard of quality, integrity and honesty to construction and project management.  Their clients have come to rely on them to construct everything from complex data centre facilities that meet exacting environmental criteria to the installation of mission-critical power and technology management systems, large-scale design-build projects and exceptional commercial interiors. Urbacon has built and maintained a solid reputation for construction and project management excellence across Canada with offices located in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver and more than 150 of the industry's finest professionals.

About Fonds immobilier de solidarité FTQ
Created in 1991, the Fonds immobilier de solidarité FTQ promotes economic growth and employment in Québec by strategically investing in profitable and socially responsible real estate projects in partnership with other industry leaders. The Fonds immobilier backs residential, office, commercial, institutional and industrial projects of all sizes across Québec. At November 30, 2014, the Fonds immobilier had 30 projects in progress, 31 properties under management, 18 million square feet of land and $53 million invested in affordable, social and community housing. Fonds immobilier is member of the Canada Green Building Council. www.fondsimmobilierftq.com

SOURCE Fonds immobilier de solidarité FTQ