Doctor D

So why build aboveground?

How was the light in Norman Bethune square?

I agree; could it be cheaper than digging?

11 hours ago, acpnc said:

This will add to the reputation of Avenue Robert-Bourassa and the Quartier International, which will have all the potential to become one of the most prestigious sectors of the city.

If so it is an interesting reversal: in the 1960's the central business district moved up the hill from Old Montreal to Dorchester (René Lévesque Boulevard) with the construction of CIBC building and Place Ville Marie. Will we now see the reverse?

1 hour ago, KOOL said:

All my respect to the shrink who takes care of Rocco and his phobia of small square windows. 

More seriously concerning the 1500 West, what a beautiful addition in this once depressing corner of Sainte-Cath. 

Especially for hiding that blind wall on MacKay!

On 1/11/2021 at 12:33 PM, Monsieur_MA said:

It is the paint on the bricks, the brown of the doors and the metallic elements that have deeply visually devalued this building. Before all these disastrous transformations, he must have been pretty good.

I used to walk by the building every day on the way to work - it wasn't much better back in the eighties.

Where does that passage lead?

en accord!

Much improved!

8 hours ago, denpanosekai said:

That is just bizarre. But I don't hate it.

I agree; it has a certain Miami Art Deco charm to it, and the rounded staircases give a nod to the rounded corner of the original, but wasn't the 1486 St Catherine building recently renovated into student residences, like a couple of years ago?

Good news (if it ever goes up)

This owner does not grasp the gravity of the vacancy rate in Montreal during COVID. I hope s/he has some time to wait.

Amen!

Totally common on London tube (and on Canada line AND in NYC at stations with multiple lines using the same track) to see an announcement telling you which train is arriving so you don't accidentally get on the wrong one.

Merci!

Good idea: it will create a partial sound barrier between the residential units and bridge.

On 12/21/2020 at 4:05 PM, Rocco said:

Where was this shot taken from?

I don't think a Y split on the Blue line is out of the question; look at the "Canada Line" in Vancouver at "Bridgeport" station (bottom left). One spur goes to the airport, the other to Richmond, an affluent suburb.

https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/west-island-gazette/kirklands-riocan-centre-to-undergo-massive-redevelopment

The upper floors of Art de vivre hotel will have a good view of the patinoire.

I agree. Although I take the Tram in Toronto, it is not out of love but for convenience and every time I see the wires overhead I am reminded of the many utility poles in downtown Montreal back in the day: ugly and utilitarian. Don't get me started on the tracks themselves; I have had my bicycle caught in the ruts more than once (once with a Tram rolling towards me) and they pose a hazard to both bikes and pedestrians. 

I am not old enough to remember taking a tram in Montreal but I do remember the terrible condition of the roads from the convergence of the tracks around Notre Dame and Papineau; it was like driving thrugh the forest. I find Trams are highly over-rated and based on an unwarranted nostalgia.

Other side of Place des Arts: four blocks west, one block north. 

6 hours ago, SameGuy said:

At that point why not just extend the Green to PAT and build a REM branch from Papineau to the northeast?

I think I agree with IluvMTL: the main problem with the REM is it is effective but ugly. Running alongside Notre Dame through the industrial sector, it is not out of place but running over Rene-Lesvesque would be a disaster. Continuing the Green line would be prohibitively expensive.

Interesting but there would be a lot of confusion initially.

Also, I have to warn you: there was supposed to be a Westmount Park station on the Orange line between St Henri and Vendome back in the 80's but the City of Westmount refused, something about not wanting "certain elements" around. 

Great shot getting all three projects in and makes it easy to see how dense the area is getting.

Great use of space, terrible aesthetics.