So among other things I’ve told over the last little while to:

a) Stop talking so much about Mirabel cuz it’s starting to make me look like an oddball obsessive.
b) Change the layout and design of the blog and,
c) Include more photos

So here we is.

The Judah House is situated diagonally across from the Shaughnessy House (Canadian Ctr for Architecture) and is a shining example of Edwardian (I believe – don’t quote me on this) residential architecture, one of the very last in the city. It was at one point part of the Franciscan Domain which included the now destroyed chapel and seminary, in addition to the Masson House a few doors down. My understanding is that they’re being rented out as commercial office space for the time being. Shame, you’d think they could figure out a better use for these homes. The now vacant lot to the West of the Judah House will doubtless be turned into a high-rise condo project. I would give anything to see the CCA take over these two houses and build a new pavilion on the site, and for that matter, would also love to see the CCA acquire the dilapidated former Maison St-Gregoire, which sits on the other side of Rue St-Marc East of the Esplanade Cormier (CCA sculpture garden for those of you more familiar with it as an ideal make-out/smoke-pot location). It’s troubling that the CCA would be so adept at transforming one large piece of land without having much affect on the historical institutional properties around it, though the City is partially to blame for not paying enough attention to this sector. It’s more troubling that there are very few people who currently run the CCA who like the CCA building; perhaps expanding into new facilities is the way to go, but I have my doubts the CCA will always maintain its current location. A different issue altogether I suppose.

In any event, if you’re sneaky enough, you can go walk around behind the Judah and Masson houses. Be careful as there are several paths which lead down to the rail line below the hill, and I’ve seen a number of people camp out in the densely covered woods behind the house. The still somewhat manicured gardens of the Franciscan Domain are a trip to walk around; enjoy it before its all torn down.