The Sapin building renovation project

By : Françoise Stanton (Translation : Guy Côté)

What’s going on with the Sapin building on Lakeside and the dilapidated house behind it?

Tempo spoke with the building’s owner and city officials to understand why these buildings have been vacant for nearly two years. Both sides are blaming each other for the delay.

Here’s what we know.

The Owner’s Project

Mohamad Kamaredine acquired the former Sapin property (61-63 Lakeside) in October 2024. In an interview with Tempo, he explained that he plans to open a bakery and shop there, a project for which he has already found a baker. According to Kamaredine, the house behind the heritage building, where he intended to house his baker, is at the heart of the dispute. He claims that the town is refusing to issue a separate permit for its renovation, an intervention he considers urgent since it is “falling into ruin.”

The Town’s Position

For his part, municipal communications spokesperson Ghyslain Forcier explained that the refusal was linked to certain provisions of the municipal zoning bylaw (Bylaw 596) as well as the provincial Environment Quality Act, since the building would be located on the banks of a waterway. Forcier did not specify which articles were involved. He indicated that it was impossible for the town “to proceed with projects that do not comply with current regulations.”

A New Permit Application

In the fall of 2025, after several discussions with the town and after agreeing to convert the building into commercial space, a new official application for a renovation permit was submitted. However, documents such as the construction plan and a contractor’s bid have reportedly not yet been submitted.

A Possible Compromise?

The town states that if the owner submits a project that complies with regulations and provides the required documents, a permit could be issued and a solution could be found by the fall. For his part, the owner, who says he is “in love with the place”, remains open to discussion and even claims to be ready to submit his project to the citizens for approval if necessary.