City leases space for textile art lab

Summary#

Montréal city council adopted a decision approving a 24-month lease of local 384 at the Cité-des-Hospitalières to Lucie Leroux, doing business as Laboratoire textile. The City will receive rent for research, creative work, workshops about textile art, and screen printing; city staff say the lease supports the site’s temporary use and heritage goals.

  • The lease covers 120 square feet at 251, avenue des Pins Ouest, from February 1, 2026.
  • The total rent is $5,349.60, excluding sales taxes.
  • Either party may end the lease early with 30 days’ notice.
  • The City will provide energy and pay for maintenance and repairs; the tenant will pay property taxes and cleaning costs.

What it means for you#

  • Lucie Leroux / Laboratoire textile: May use the space for the purposes named in the approved resolution, subject to the lease terms. Either party can end the lease early with 30 days’ notice.
  • The City: Becomes the landlord for the 24-month term and receives rental income. It must provide energy and cover maintenance and repairs.
  • Public: The decision does not directly change public services, taxes, or access rules.

Money#

The City expects $5,349.60 in rent revenue, excluding sales taxes; the decision summary lists $6,150.70 including taxes.

  • The rental income will go to the City’s operating budget.
  • The tenant is responsible for property taxes and cleaning; the City pays for energy, maintenance, and repairs. Their costs are not stated.
  • The lease is exempt from the fee for real-estate transactions because it renews an existing occupancy.

What is unclear#

  • The decision summary says the activities include office use, but the approved resolution lists research, creative work, workshops about textile art, and screen printing—not office use.
  • The materials do not give expected costs for the City’s energy, maintenance, and repairs.
  • The lease’s other terms are not included in the supplied materials.

Case for#

  • City staff say the lease supports activities that fit the heritage and community principles for the Cité-des-Hospitalières.
  • Staff say the proposed rent is within the range set by the City’s property valuation division.
  • The lease brings rental income to the City.

Case against#

  • The City’s costs for energy, maintenance, and repairs are not stated, so the net financial benefit is unclear.
  • Either party can end the lease with 30 days’ notice, which may limit certainty for the tenant and the City.