August 7th, 2010
Photo du jour : Concordia looming
By Devin Alfaro // 7 Comments
Concordia's John Molson School of Business looms large over heritage townhouses on Pierce Street.
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Sounds like Concordia PR got their two cents' worth in there.
I agree somewhat. Though when I lived on Lambert Closse 15 years ago Shaughnessy Village was nicer than it is now, despite being in a recession.
That entire area of Montreal is in a weird juxtaposition between English and French Montreal, ultra-rich Westmount and ultra-poor St-Henri. There are also thousands of hoodlums from Dawson who tend to mistreat public and private property (like most kids do before they grow up and learn consideration for others), as well as the fact that several developers have bought up property in Shaughnessy Village and sat on them for over a decade until the buildings were condemned and left to rot. I'm also under the impression that French Montrealers (and municipal workers/officers) have little interest in rebuilding the "gate" between English and French Montreal, which is Shaughnessy Village.
But yes, Concordia's new buildings really help clean the neighbourhood up. Or at least appear to, with all that shiny new glass and concrete.
Ce qui est désolant, c’est que ces édifices auraient pu être construits il y a plus de 70 ans par Frank Lloyd Wright. Aucune originalité architecturale pour le XXIème siècle.
C’est aussi peu original que de construire la gare Pennsylvania à New-York en style «thermes de Caracalla»; le résultat n’éblouira que les masses sans rechercher la véritable originalité qu’on retrouvait déjà il y a 50 ans dans la revue Archigram.
Il y a 50 ans, Sir George Williams innovait avec son Hall Building. Rééditer le même genre d’exploit pratiquement inchangé 50 ans plus tard ne peut qu’exposer une sclérose intellectuelle qui n’augure rien de bon pour une université.
I have taken a peak at the backyards of these properties and the sheer wall of the building does come up pretty close to the property line so it can be pretty oppressive on a grey day... had the picture been taken on one of those days the term looming might have been a little more apt. however on a sunny day like this when building is blending with the clouds and sky and bouncing sunshine back down to the street, looming isn't really an appropriate term.
I would also tend to agree that Concordia's projects over the last three years have been an improvment to the area, Niomi's comment that the area was nicer 15 years ago would have more to do with the closure of the Forum then any of Concordia's projects.
Good point regarding the Forum closing, Dan.
I also agree with EMDX in that every last building that has been built in Montreal in the last 50 years has been utterly devoid of originality or creativity. Architects are THAT expensive, developers are squeezing every last dime they can get out of their new developments without any regard to aesthetics. If it wasn't for the buildings erected prior to 1940 Montreal would look exactly like any other mundane North American industrial blackhole.
What's worse is these developers make millions every year off their properties. You'd think they could spare a couple extra thousand and add a little flavour to their designs.
edit: Architects AREN'T that expensive. Developers can definitely afford to pay an architect to create a more original design.
As a former Concordia student and as a longtime resident of the Shaughnessy Village, I think that the work that Concordia has done over the past decade has truly improved the look and feel fo the entire neighbourhood. It is busier, more vibrant, and the number of ancillary businesses such as restaurants and cafes has gone up leading to a better quality of life (at least in my opinion) for us residents.
Congratulations Concordia!
Comment by Matthew David
August 7, 2010 | 12:21 pm