For the last few years, St- Henri, in the southwest of Montreal has slowly become the place to live for twenty-somethings, with a seemingly endless array of new bars, cafes, and restaurants popping up. But the closer you get to the Lachine Canal, which runs at the lower part of the neighbourhood, the closer you get to the area’s roots. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, this area of St-Henri was home to several industries including tanneries, textile and malting factories. Though many of the old buildings have since been destroyed and others converted into lofts and condos, one that remains is the abandoned malting factory on St-Remi street.
Completed in 1904 and abandoned since 1989, the malting factory (and its giant Silos) is an eye-sore for some, but for others, myself included, it’s a prime example of how urban decay can prove interesting. It’s fenced off for safety reasons, but it’s not uncommon to see people milling around the gates, trying to get a good picture of the graffiti, broken windows, or the building itself. I like to look at it and wonder what it and the surrounding area used to look like in all of its former glory. The city is talking about making a few changes to the district, but hopefully they’ll leave this heritage site untouched.
Rue Saint-Rémi 500
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Find your way with 135 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
"Léché Desserts" in Montreal hides many promises behind its pink benches and brick building! I recommend getting donuts here and going to watch the trains.
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Zab Café is a coffee roaster from Montreal that has an interesting story, four locations, and good coffee. It's small and smells of good coffee.
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"Nonnina Panini and Gelato" in Montreal is a café that offers Italian snacks & desserts - get your chocolate & peanut butter tartelette and explore Lachine!
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There are bird spotters, trainspotters... and plane spotters - and this is where they meet in Montreal! Ready for some plane spotting in YUL?
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Most belvederes offer views from above - this one is different and offers views to Montreal's skyline!
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The "Montreal Olympic Park" is so big, you can never tell how close to it you are. Its retro-futuristic vibe reminds me of some kind of animal; a scorpion?
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The "Big Wheel" in Montreal is a surprise! It's big, it's fun, and it's a nice highlight to visit while exploring...
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"Belgo Visions" in Montreal is in the Belgo Building, an iconic old building in the center of the city with five floors, zillions of art pieces & galleries
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Ruelle Verte is a local initiative in Montreal for greener back alleys. One artist couple made their own even prettier, by flourishing it with art!
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"Belvédère Outremont" in Montreal is one of my favorite places to go jogging. It goes a bit uphill, but the view is just amazing, especially at sunset...
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"Drawn and Quarterly" in Montreal is now a world-famous bookstore specialized in classic and contemporary comics. Coming here, my addiction comes out...
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"Tennis Jeanne-Mance" in Montreal is one of the best places to get your game in the city. I think it's a very interesting and unique court to play...
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