The developers behind the Royalmount project, a $2-billion retail/residential development at the junction of Highway 15 (Décarie Blvd.) and Highway 40, announced on Thursday that preparatory work at the site has begun.

Carbonleo and L Catterton Real Estate say the first steps will see the demolishment of buildings located at 8400 and 8600 Décarie, while those at 8300 and 8500 Décarie will be preserved for integration into the project.

The developers say 80 per cent of the materials remaining after the demolition — concrete, wood, glass, steel, copper and aluminum — will be recuperated on site and recycled. They add that plans are in place to keep inconveniences to a strict minimum for local businesses and residents during the process.

Construction is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2019.