6/26/11

Beaver Hall & Viger - Altoria Condo Complex

Altoria condo 1

A new massive condo/office complex, the Altoria, will rise where these building are (or were), on Beaver Hall and Viger. I'm ambivalent about this one. I'm probably the only one who actually liked this corner. First, I love old red brick buildings and they are an endangered species in downtown Montreal. It's not a beautiful building per se but it shows the type that was built back in the day and there's something just solid about that you have to admire. Second, I love the look of the adjoining building, which will also be demolished, the way it rests on the inclination. It has a retro sleek design to it that you don't find much in Montreal and it will be history. The value of the land in the area doomed them to oblivion. Third, the open space feel of the area will be greatly diminished too. The building is set to be 33 storeys high and will change the general  outlook of Square Victoria, making it more closed in than it need be. But of all the new projects rising in Montreal, I have to admit that this is the one that I find with the greatest value. The view from inside the condos, or even the offices, will simply be amazing.

I used to work in the area for 3 years and during that time I walked down Beaver Hall every day and ate at Victory Hot Dogs every other day, for a quick lunch.

A mix of 35mm and digital photos.

Altoria condo 2

Altoria condo 3


Altoria condo 4


Altoria condo - Victory Hot Dog
This is where Victory Hot Dog used to be. They claimed they made the best hot dogs in town.

(image: google streetview)


Altoria condo 7

Altoria condo 6

Altoria condo 5

5 comments:

  1. My sister used to live in the top floor of that big red brick building at the corner of Beaver Hall Hill in a huge loft apartment. It had an ancient elevator in it but it was a cool building inside as it was still all rough, old and industrial looking inside.

    Funny, I was thinking about that apartment the other day and the new years party we had in there in 1996/1997 with the two guys that crashed our party with beer that we didn't even know! It was a blast! Shame that it's going to be knocked down.

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  2. That's a cool story. It's a shame it's going to be knocked down. And they will have difficulty knocking it down because that building looks solid. Thanks for the input.

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  3. yeah, over on mtl-urb right now, most folks are going nuts about how pleased they are at this development, but i'm actually dismayed at losing one of the last remaining intact pre-war streetwalls on gauchetiere street. just strikes me as such a shame that it couldn't have been done differently. and knowing montreal, it'll just sit as an empty lot for the next few years, or an empty pit.

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  4. I remember this location.My two aunt used to work here in the 50's and 60/s when it was called KEY LITHO and commercial reproducing. Long time ago but still great memories. MIKE

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  5. Great memories. I lived on the 3rd floor of the old red building in a giant 2000' sq ft loft with a band called the Snitches. 4 of us paid $250 each per month. We had some great parties there. And of course the Victory hotdogs were the BEST!!! Great days.

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