Condo boom slowing down?

Is the condo boom going on for the past two years in Montréal slowing down? Article here.

Le Wilson lofts - Montréal

Le Wilson lofts building on the corner of Saint-Alexandre and De La Gauchetiere streets in Downtown Montreal looks completed (above). The three photos below show the building during its renovation in the spring of 2011. I love these kinds of buildings and I'm glad it was "saved" and the added floors sorta blend it with the old architecture. Pretty cool project with 90% according to the website (link). It's built just next to the Southam Building, another beautiful stand-out building which was also turned into lofts.

Lowney condos - Griffintown

The Lowney condo project, phase number ?, is still ongoing in Griffintown. I love the old style red brick buildings but the new stuff is depressing. The brick work on the new building is terrible. Standing there, with the sun shining on the sides, I could already see misaligned brickwork which created shadows when good smooth brickwork shouldn't. Even if it's not finished the architecture already looks outdated. As the third photo shows it looks more like cabins on a Cruise ship than condominiums. With just a narrow street standing between the walls of the condo buildings, new and old, the space was very "echoey". If someone talks on one of them balconies everyone will be able to hear it. There's no privacy whatsoever. Might as well live in the avenues in Verdun

A parking lot and a Transcontinental building made way for these. I already posted about the initial start of the construction last year. Link. I've included 3 panoramic shots of different stages of the construction.

Before & After - Clinique de L'Ouest - Verdun

 

(image above: google streetview)

The old Clinique de L'Ouest building on Verdun street in Verdun was quickly demolished last year only to be replaced by a new building that looks almost exactly like the old one this year. Ok. This was one of the quickest demolitions I've ever witnessed (link). The vacant lot (last photo) stayed emptied for a while before this new building, which looks like a combo of condos and business, started taking shape. I think the whole thing is funny.

Before & After - Le Village

(image: google streetview)

On de Maisonneuve, between Wolfe and Montcalm. I don't know what kind of building was at that  location before. The new building is the blandest thing I've ever seen, even more bland than any Samcon thingy.

Two apartment buildings demolished - Le Village

Two apartment buildings on the corner of Wolfe and Robin in Le Village were demolished for a new condo project called the Wolfe. At least 5 apartments were lost for this demolition.

The next three images are from Google Streetview

Facade on Peel & Wellington - More photos - Griffintown

I already uploaded a video about all what's left of the building on the corner of Peel & Wellington in Griffintown is its facade. Here are photos of the facade. The last three photos show its demolition. Montreal is turning into a facade city.

COIN/CORNER Peel & Wellington - Griffintown

I uploaded this short video of the demolition on the corner of Peel & Wellington. Only a facade remains.

 Les travaux sur le coin de Peel et Wellington. Juste une facade.

Former Garda building on St-Jacques - Saint-Henri

part of the changing face of Saint-Henri

This gorgeous building on St-Jacques, between Bourget and Rose De Lima, will be converted into condos called LA MACHINERIE. Garda's offices were situated there for a couple of decades. On the top floor there used to be a halfway house for aboriginal criminals called Waseskun House, which previous to this location was situated in Pointe-Saint-Charles at this abandoned building.  Back in 1997, I worked at Waseskun House for 2 months as a security guard. I used to give walks to inmates all over Montréal. The photo below shows the back court. Part of the old red brick building with the chimney is this abandoned building on Rose de Lima, which was supposed to have been demolished years ago.

THE GAZETTE has an article about the sector and the former Garda building is featured in the article (see next post below).

Gazette article on Sud-Ouest

THE GAZETTE has an article about heritage buildings/sites in danger because of the current condo boom! It's good that they're talking about this now but it's a bit too little too late.   Link

Old film made in Montréal circa 1967

Here's a compilation of clips taken from a German/Italian film called KOMMISSAR X - DREI BLAUE PANTHER filmed in Montréal. I've tried to include all the exterior scenes in this.

I took a couple of screenshots from the film for those who don't want to watch the clips. You can see the old Laurentian Hotel (below; this scene is not included in the video) and the film takes place at La Ronde and Expo 67.

Update: Horse Palace + Ottawa construction - Griffintown

Just a few snapshots of the Horse Palace + triplex in Griffintown on Ottawa street seeminly surrounded by construction from all sides. There's a bin in the yard but I was told the bin is for the construction site on De La Montagne and Ottawa. The construction started late spring of last year and they've only reached ground level almost a year later. Hmm...

The triplex and horse palace were recently purchased by a condo developer who promised they'll preserve something of it but Phillis Lambert went before city hall to complain about its fate (and a few other endangered spots in Montreal) and how many places are being recklessly demolished.

The new condo is completed (on the corner of Murray and Ottawa) and sorta blends with the older triplex that's just next to the horse palace.