The construction of a major LEED complex, consisting of industrial and commercial condos in Laval, Qué., is now underway as Cosoltec and Fonds immobilier de solidarité FTQ have broke ground.

The development named Industria 440 will be located in an industrial area of Laval, near the North and South shores and less than 15 minutes from the Montréal-Trudeau Airport.

About 10 buildings will be built, each offering up to 150,000 square feet of industrial space. In turn, the project is expected to produce jobs and economic spinoffs of $200 million.

According to Laval Mayor Marc Demers, the project is attracting various companies from environmental and food to aeronautics and high tech industries.

“We want to create industrial clusters that will allow companies from a given industry to be near each other in order to capitalize on business opportunities,” said Demers.

The structures will also be built with sustainable features, like electro-mechanical systems designed to meet high energy efficiency standards.

“Businesses today want to provide their employees with a modern and environmentally responsible workplace,” added Normand Bélanger, president and chief executive officer of the Fonds immobilier de solidarité FTQ. “That’s why we opted for a LEED project.”

Cosoltec will handle promotion and development, while Fonds immobilier de solidarité FTQ holds a 50 per cent interest in the land and in the project.

Construction will happen in four phases, with occupancy beginning in summer 2015.