Bank of Montreal

Bank of Montreal, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

Solid - bank architecture of the past gave a sense of the weight of the institution. This is the headquarters of the Bank of Montreal. Finished in 1847 this building sits prominently at Place d'Armes in Old Montreal, opposite Notre Dame Church, another symbol of power.



Beside the church is one of the oldest buildings still standing in Montreal, The Saint-Sulpice Seminary, built in 1687 (the clock dates from the early 1700s). The Catholic Church played a decisive role in Quebec's history. The Sulpicians were among the first settlers in New France. They saw as part of their role to educate the native population, and, of course, convert them to Christianity. They held large properties throughout the island of Montreal.
You can learn more here.

Changing architecture

Changing architecture, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

This building sits at the corner of Greene Avenue and St. Catherine. Once a bank as the writing and large crest attests to, when the branch closed it had to find a new use. The last incarnation was as an antique shop and the building owner saw fit to erect the (not quite) portico. It detracts from the original architecture. The antique shop closed a couple of years ago and the building was sold. It still has not really found a new use. I hope the new owner does not have ideas of adding to the architecture yet again - unless it is to remove the addition thus adding to the building's beauty.

Day 173: The Bank

Day 173: The Bank, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Architecture has changed. Banks used to be built in imposing styles, columns thrusting up to the name carved above. But times change and there is no more Bank of Toronto. Its descendant is the TD Bank, an amalgamation of smaller banks. And banks are often located in rented spaces in building, so there is no longer "bank" architecture.

You can see the spectre of a modern building looming over the bank. There are no curlicues, no columns, just clean lines. Which architecture is more admirable? Each speaks of the age that spawned it, monuments to a time.

Day 100: What are they thinking?

Day 100: What are they thinking?, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Walking through Montreal, I came across these characters who stare down at all who pass. They are visitors from the past. I wonder who they represent; what is their message.

Montreal has a mix of architecture, with a very few buildings surviving from the 18th century to modern. streamlined structures. I ate dinner at a restaurant facing one of the faceless structures - rows of flat windows which seemed opaque, surrounded by concrete. There was nothing decorative on the structure. I do like clean lines - the simplicity of Danish teak - but the wood itself emanates warmth. Many buildings of the 70s simply are function, with no feeling.

Walking lets me notice all the details from a time when craftmanship was respected and form was considered as important as function.