This reminds me of what that great church downtown used to look like. You know close to future shop? Because times were hard back and money was scarce, they “sacrificed” the front of the church by making rentable spaces. It used to hide the whole street entrance – now fully restored it’s gorgeous!
Well this looks like it. Those big houses back there must have a terrible upkeep so i see the reason why one would “sacrifice” the front porch.
Good food for thoughts!
U
Nice picture, I know the place well and it is indeed a shame to hide beautiful architecture out of sight with these horrible store fronts. Ugh!
Ugo: You’re talking about St-James Church of course! I remember a computer store (B.Mac) and a music equipment store up on the second floor where the entrance to the church now stands. The rest was offices I believe. And you’re right it’s the exact same situation. That church is gorgeous and I’m very happy that they have restrored it!
Maybe some day these Victorian townhouses on Parc will again see the light of day…
L’espace gagné sur le trottoir au rez-de-chaussée enlaidit et défigure complètement les immeubles anciens, qui j’en suis sûr devaient être fort élégants avant la construction de ces espèces d’excroissances hideuses.
That church project is probably the greatest renovation work in the city. Makes me think of how churches in general used to actually come with their own green spaces built in and sometimes around. Makes a very nice break on a street like Saint Catherine. Those old “witches hats” are so cool. In the 80’s the city was getting inundated with postmodern “points” that at least partially referenced them. We don’t do the details very nicely anymore.
During the 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s my father’s office was in a building which is still standing just accross the street from this (on the west side of the street). Over the years on visits back to Montreal, and long after he was gone, we patronized Ararat. Got a few very nice rugs there.
8 comments
That doesn’t look like Montreal at all.
I know that view well.
Great shot! I love this photograph.
This reminds me of what that great church downtown used to look like. You know close to future shop? Because times were hard back and money was scarce, they “sacrificed” the front of the church by making rentable spaces. It used to hide the whole street entrance – now fully restored it’s gorgeous!
Well this looks like it. Those big houses back there must have a terrible upkeep so i see the reason why one would “sacrifice” the front porch.
Good food for thoughts!
U
Nice picture, I know the place well and it is indeed a shame to hide beautiful architecture out of sight with these horrible store fronts. Ugh!
Ugo: You’re talking about St-James Church of course! I remember a computer store (B.Mac) and a music equipment store up on the second floor where the entrance to the church now stands. The rest was offices I believe. And you’re right it’s the exact same situation. That church is gorgeous and I’m very happy that they have restrored it!
Maybe some day these Victorian townhouses on Parc will again see the light of day…
L’espace gagné sur le trottoir au rez-de-chaussée enlaidit et défigure complètement les immeubles anciens, qui j’en suis sûr devaient être fort élégants avant la construction de ces espèces d’excroissances hideuses.
That church project is probably the greatest renovation work in the city. Makes me think of how churches in general used to actually come with their own green spaces built in and sometimes around. Makes a very nice break on a street like Saint Catherine. Those old “witches hats” are so cool. In the 80’s the city was getting inundated with postmodern “points” that at least partially referenced them. We don’t do the details very nicely anymore.
During the 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s my father’s office was in a building which is still standing just accross the street from this (on the west side of the street). Over the years on visits back to Montreal, and long after he was gone, we patronized Ararat. Got a few very nice rugs there.