What Rachel Julien does

Rachel Julien is a privately held Montreal-based real estate developer founded in 1994 by Denis Robitaille. The company develops residential condominiums, purpose-built rental apartments, and mixed-use commercial real estate projects, having built more than 5,000 housing units across at least 17 distinct projects in Montreal over a 30-year operating history. Its portfolio spans large-scale new construction (e.g., Bassins du Havre at 505 LEED-certified units, Laurent & Clark at 356 units, Canoë at 900+ planned units) and heritage building conversions (e.g., Le Rachel Julien, Place Delacroix, Wilfrid-Laurier).

The company operates a vertically integrated model that controls site research and acquisition, financial analysis, construction management as general contractor, sales and marketing, customer experience, and property management. This integration allows Rachel Julien to manage the full project lifecycle from municipal relations through deed transfer and post-occupancy service. Its technology stack is operational rather than digital — there is no proprietary software platform, app, or API; the firm's "technology" is its repeatable in-house development process, LEED and Novoclimat-certified building practices, and design partnerships with firms such as Ædifica, Adhoc Architectes, MU Architecture, White Arkitekter, and Figurr.

Rachel Julien generates revenue from three streams: one-time condominium unit sales (projects such as Laurent & Clark, U31, Bassins du Havre), recurring rental income from held purpose-built rental assets (Le Petit Laurent at 52 units, Canoë Phase 1 at 210 rental apartments, plus forthcoming Station C at 288 units), and commercial space leasing (e.g., Maxi grocery store, daycare, retail tenants within mixed-use developments such as Canoë). Go-to-market is direct through in-house sales/leasing teams operating from on-site sales offices and the corporate headquarters at 3325 Rue Hochelaga. The customer base is highly fragmented — individual condominium buyers, rental tenants, and government/CMHC counterparties for affordable housing allocations. The firm has won 7 of 11 municipal calls for proposals from the City of Montreal and Canada Lands Company, and has accumulated over 25 industry awards since 1994, including APCHQ Domus Builder of the Year in 2024.

Name

Rachel Julien

Legal name

Rachel Julien

Website

https://racheljulien.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Rachel Julien is a Montreal-based private real estate developer founded in 1994 that builds condominiums, purpose-built rental apartments, and mixed-use projects through a vertically integrated model, serving individual buyers, renters, and government affordable housing programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Residential Real Estate Development

NAICS

New Housing For-Sale Builders (236117), New Multifamily Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (236116), Residential Building Construction (23611), Land Subdivision (2372)

SIC

General Bldg Contractors - Residential Bldgs (1520), Land Subdividers & Developers (No Cemeteries) (6552), Operators Of Apartment Buildings (6513), Real Estate Agents & Managers (For Others) (6531)

akta.pro primary industry

Multi-Family Residential Construction (Apartments, Condos, Townhomes) (IMAFABAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Residential Design-Build & Renovation-Integrated Builders (IMAFABAE), Residential Affordable Housing Development & Construction (IMAFABAI), Multifamily Apartment Property Management (BPAJAFAA)

Keywords

• Residential real estate development
• Condominium construction
• Rental apartments
• Mixed-use development
• Heritage building conversion

Headquarters

HQ city

Montréal-nord

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. New Condominium Sales: The company develops and sells condominiums, managing the entire process from preliminary contracts through to notary signing and deed transfer. Buyers are guided through design meetings for personalization choices.
2. Rental Apartments: The company develops and holds rental apartment buildings for ongoing rental income. Projects include Le Petit Laurent (52 units) and Phase 1 of Canoë (210 rental units).
3. Commercial Space Leasing: The company includes commercial spaces in their mixed-use developments, such as the Maxi grocery store in Canoë Phase 1, daycare facilities, and retail spaces in various projects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Rachel Julien develops, constructs, and sells residential condominium projects and purpose-built rental apartment buildings across Montreal neighborhoods, and leases commercial spaces integrated within mixed-use developments. The company controls the full development lifecycle in-house through a vertical integration model spanning municipal relations, site acquisition, construction, sales, marketing, and property management. Its portfolio includes flagship mixed-use projects like Canoë (900+ units), heritage conversions, LEED-certified developments, and purpose-built rental buildings such as Le Petit Laurent.

Product overview

Rachel Julien is a Montreal-based real estate developer offering a portfolio of named residential development projects spanning condominiums, purpose-built rental apartments, and mixed-use complexes across Montreal neighbourhoods. The portfolio includes flagship projects such as Canoë (a large mixed-use development with over 900 units in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve), Le Petit Laurent (52-unit rental), Laurent & Clark (356-unit condo), U31 (409+ unit mixed-use), Bassins du Havre (505-unit LEED-certified condo), and multiple completed projects across the city. Beyond project development, the company provides vertically integrated services encompassing development and construction management, sales and marketing, design and customer experience, quality control and finishing, and asset holding and property management. The company was founded in 1994 and has built over 5,000 housing units.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Canoë A large mixed-use residential development in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve spanning over 900 housing units across multiple phases, including cooperative, rental, and condominium units, alongside integrated local businesses (daycare, grocery store via Maxi, medical clinic, café-bistro), public and community spaces, and a public park. Phase 1 (210 rental apartments) delivered; Phase 2 under construction for 2027 delivery.
• Le Petit Laurent A 52-unit purpose-built rental apartment building in the Quartier des Spectacles, designed in a hotel-apartment style with modern, minimalist units fully equipped with five appliances and high-speed fibre internet. Features a gym, ground-floor café-bistro, and rooftop terrace with views of Esplanade Tranquille. Designed by MU Architecture.
• Laurent & Clark A 356-unit condominium project in the Quartier des Spectacles featuring textured geometric facades with colourful, luminous materials. Includes semi-private elevators enabling cross-ventilated units, a full-service spa, fitness centre, lounge, communal terrace, and underground parking.
• U31 A multi-phase mixed-use residential complex of over 409 units in the heart of Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, structured around a pedestrian walkway connecting all phases, communal garden, playground, pathways, park, and including 20% private affordable housing and 42 cooperative units in Phases 3 and 4. Built between 2014 and 2020.
• Bassins du Havre A 505-unit LEED NC-certified residential project along the Lachine Canal in Griffintown, inspired by the 1870s commercial navigation basins. Features varied residential unit types focused on family housing, abundant green and recreational spaces, and landscape architecture. Developed between 2014 and 2019.
• Quartier 54 A 350-unit residential project in Rosemont developed with an environmental vision including alternative transportation, energy-efficient buildings, and a community committed to environmental care.
• Le Bloc Urbain A 69-unit condominium building near Place des Arts and the Montreal Jazz Festival site, comprising studios and one- and two-bedroom units. Constructed in 2007–2008.
• Le SOMO A 48-unit condominium project on Jeanne-Mance Street near the Quartier International, winning a City of Montreal call for proposals, consolidating the urban fabric of the block formed by Anderson, De la Gauchetière, Jeanne-Mance, and René-Lévesque Boulevard.
• Place Delacroix A 70-unit condominium project in Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie converting a former church and presbytery into residential units, with the presbytery repurposed as a community centre for La Petite-Patrie Family Centre.
• Îlot Anderson A 65-unit condominium project in Downtown Montreal winning a call for proposals from Société de Développement de Montréal, consolidating the urban fabric of the downtown block formed by Anderson, De la Gauchetière, Jeanne-Mance, and René-Lévesque Boulevard. Built in 2003.
• Wilfrid-Laurier A 43-unit condominium project on the Plateau-Mont-Royal converting a historic school building into residential units. Heritage conversion recognized with multiple awards.
• Le Rachel Julien A heritage conversion project on Plateau Mont-Royal transforming a century-old former religious building at the corner of Rachel and Henri-Julien streets into 31 residential units (studios to 3-bedroom condominiums). Challenges included preserving architectural integrity, adding a storey, and constructing underground parking via underpinning.
• Station C A new rental project in Côte-des-Neiges (NDG) funded by CMHC's Rapid Housing Initiative, creating 288 housing units with a significant portion affordable. Features shared spaces including rooftop terrace, lounge, co-working space, and fitness room, close to active transportation options.
• Les condos de la gare A 350-unit, three-phase condominium project in Villeray converting two former textile factories near Jarry Park and Jean-Talon market. Phase 3 is a community residence for the elderly serving the Hellenic community of Montreal.
• Berri-Bonsecours A 19-unit, six-storey condominium building in Old Montreal developed through a City of Montreal call for proposals, integrating contemporary architecture within the historic district's built environment.
• Le Haut Saint-Norbert An 81-unit condominium project in Ville-Marie next to the Monastère du Bon-Pasteur and steps from downtown, winning a City of Montreal call for proposals. Features contemporary architecture thoughtfully integrated into the neighbourhood urban fabric.
• Les Cours du Cloître A 196-unit condominium development at the northern edge of the Plateau-Mont-Royal, the company's founding project completed in a record 19 months in 1994 and one of the first projects to integrate the periphery of an industrial area, contributing to sector revitalisation.
• Le QIO A 16-loft condominium building in Villeray near Jean-Talon market and Parc metro station, with private terraces for each unit, constructed in a 4-storey concrete structure.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 5,000 housing units built since 1994
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Ædifica & Adhoc ArchitectescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Architectural firms Ædifica and Adhoc Architectes designed the Canoë project, which won the Architect of the Year 2020 award in the mixed-use category at TAC AWARDS.
• C40 Cities Climate Leadership GroupflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 April 2019Rachel Julien was selected as one of four teams by an international jury for the C40 Reinventing Cities initiative to revitalize the Cour de Voirie de la Commune site in Montreal. Canoë project covers approximately one million square feet of mixed-use space as part of this global climate initiative.
• MU ArchitecturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMU Architecture designed the Le Petit Laurent project with unique dual-facade architecture reflecting both contemporary Quartier des Spectacles design and historic Saint-Laurent Boulevard inspiration.
• White Arkitekter, Figurr, Arup, ConvercitécoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational and local architectural and engineering team members collaborating on the Canoë project for C40 Reinventing Cities initiative.
• City of MontrealcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClose collaboration with municipal authorities on urban development projects including Canoë and various municipal proposals. Company has won 7 of 11 proposals submitted.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Carbonleo: Montreal-based real estate developer of large-scale mixed-use and residential projects, including major downtown districts. Comparable on scale of flagship mixed-use projects and Montreal-centric geography, though typically larger project footprints.
• Devimco Immobilier: Major Montreal-based real estate developer focused on large-scale mixed-use and residential projects across the Greater Montreal area. Directly comparable as a Montreal-headquartered developer pursuing similar condo, rental, and mixed-tenure urban projects at comparable scale.
• Cogir Immobilier: Quebec-based real estate company developing and managing residential rental apartments, condos, and senior living across the province. Directly comparable on purpose-built rental and condo development in the Quebec/Montreal market.
• Prével: Montreal-based residential developer known for innovative condo, rental, and mixed-use projects in urban neighborhoods. Closely comparable on product type (multifamily residential), target customer (Montreal condo buyers and renters), and city focus.
• Brivia: Montreal-based developer with a focus on residential condominium and mixed-use projects in urban neighborhoods. Comparable product offering (condos, rentals, mixed-use), target customer, and Montreal-centric geography.
• Broccolini: Major Montreal-area real estate developer and general contractor with significant residential, commercial, and industrial project activity. Comparable as a vertically integrated Montreal developer-builder executing large mixed-use projects at similar scale.
• The Rosefellow: Montreal-based real estate developer focused on innovative mixed-use and residential projects. Comparable as a smaller, design-oriented Montreal developer pursuing similar urban condo and mixed-use strategies.
• Groupe Montoni: Montreal-based real estate developer with a portfolio spanning industrial, residential, and mixed-use projects. Comparable as a vertically integrated Montreal developer operating at similar scale in the residential and mixed-use segments.

Emerging players

• Société de développement Angus: Montreal community development corporation with mixed-use and affordable housing projects rooted in sustainable urban revitalization. Comparable as a Montreal-based developer emphasizing community-focused, mixed-tenure, and affordable housing projects, though operating at a smaller scale and more mission-driven.

Broad incumbents

• Groupe Sélection: Large Quebec-based developer and operator of retirement residences, rental apartments, and hotels across Canada. Comparable as a Quebec-headquartered residential developer, though with broader scope including senior housing and hospitality.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rachel-julien

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rachel Julien