Monthly Archives: July 2011

More on Boul. de Maisonneuve’s prior history as a massive parking lot

Posted on July 9, 2011 by Taylor C. Noakes

Man I love looking at this picture. I mean I hate it as well – what a massive wasteland of parking lots. Look at it! Today the area is considerably different. Boul. de Maisonneuve was literally carved out of existing … Continue reading →

Posted in A modest proposal, History and Culture, Montréal Architecture, Montréal Landmarks, Perspectives on the City, Scenes from the City, Urban Redevelopment, Waddayoutink?, What were they thinking? | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Montr̩al Tramways Building and Terminal Рor РWhy Trams Work in the 5-1-4

Posted on July 7, 2011 by Taylor C. Noakes

I hate to say it but I end up having to prove that trams can indeed operate effectively in Montréal. I can’t prove that it works technologically – I don’t need to – I can prove it historically. And historically … Continue reading →

Posted in A modest proposal, History and Culture, Montréal Architecture, Montréal Landmarks, Perspectives on the City, Political commentary, Scenes from the City, Urban Redevelopment, Waddayoutink?, What were they thinking?, Worth reconsidering | Leave a comment

Like Fiery-Sunrise Slashing through the Dim-Blue Dawn…

Posted on July 7, 2011 by Taylor C. Noakes

Separatism is dead. Sovereignty is dying. I’m concerned about the latter; the former is still pointless. These terms have unfortunately come to be somewhat interchangeable in Canadian political discourse, particularly when it comes to the perennial ‘Québec Question’, though in … Continue reading →

Posted in A modest proposal, History and Culture, Political commentary, Québec sovereignty, Waddayoutink? | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Montréal Kitsch: the Kon-Tiki Polynesian Restaurant

Posted on July 6, 2011 by Taylor C. Noakes

When my parents were growing up, the Kon-Tiki was a top-flight Montréal resto and a true local institution. Apparently it was known far and wide and outlived the 1960s Polynesian fad by a considerable margin. It certainly helped that they … Continue reading →

Posted in Montréal Architecture, Montréal Landmarks, Montréal Noire, Scenes from the City, Urban Redevelopment, Worth reconsidering | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Priorities…

Posted on July 6, 2011 by Taylor C. Noakes

When I first came across this photograph I thought instinctively that was from a very early period, 1890s or thereabouts. Closer inspection revealed the Jacques-Cartier Bridge in the background… and then I realized the date included with the rest of … Continue reading →

Posted in History and Culture, Montréal Noire, Waddayoutink?, What were they thinking?, Worth reconsidering | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Demolishing Burnside Place to build Boul. de Maisonneuve

Posted on July 6, 2011 by Taylor C. Noakes

Here’s something to think about. The above photo was indicated as taken in 1959 and is pointed East along the street which would eventually become Boul. de Maisonneuve (which was largely carved out of the existing cityscape while the Métro … Continue reading →

Posted in History and Culture, Montréal Architecture, Montréal Landmarks, Perspectives on the City, Scenes from the City, Urban Redevelopment | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment