The Montreal Real Estate Blog

As long as I can remember the area around Notre Dame Street and de la Montagne has been continually changing.
Fields were cleared up, condos were developed on the west, then on the east side, a new student housing project is about to open. Many years have gone by since all the construction began, and amazingly enough this guy still has his for sale sign.

If I am not mistaken, it has been about seven years, maybe even more, that this property has had that same old sign: FOR SALE OR FOR RENT.

Previously, they had tenants on the main floor. Now, they don’t even have that. The building looks empty, run down and abandoned.
Trying to get the scoop on the situation here, I made a few calls to the number posted. No luck. If it’s not busy, the answering machine picks up. So, what’s the deal here? Is it for sale or not? Is it available for rent?
Are they selling out to the next developer? I think that’s just it.

When we saw the construction from this side of the building, the first thing that came to mind was “Yet another condo project.” But, as it turns out, it will be a new housing for the ETS students, located in the south-east corner of Rue Notre Dame and de la Montagne. According to the sign, it promises to deliver over 450 beds, food court on the first floor, etc. Not bad.

We found out from the workers, the project is expected to be ready by September 2008, although the sign says: Opening Summer 2008. They are only one month behind schedule, wow. Could this be the only project in Montreal that will open on time? We have to see it to believe it. We are keeping our eyes on it.

An interesting thing that will happen is the following: The project across the street Read more »»

What is the Régie du logement ?

Translated literally, and in the vernacular, La Régie du logement du Québec is the Quebec Rental Board. Here is a little definition excerpt to illustrate what the significance of it is:

“The Régie du logement is a specialized tribunal that has competence in residential lease matters. Its mission consists in deciding the applications that have been submitted within the framework of simple rules of procedure that respect natural justice; in informing the citizens on their rights and obligations related to the lease so as to avoid that conflicts occur due to the ignorance of the law; in promoting conciliation between landlords and tenants.

The Régie also keeps a watch, in certain circumstances, on the conservation of the housing stock and, in those cases, makes sure that the rights of the tenants are protected.”

The Régie’s laws and regulations cover all principal/permanent residential rental premises, including; the lease of a room, Mobile home placed on a chassis and land intended for the installation of a mobile home. However, the legislation does not apply to the following: Read more »»

First it was the Château Royal Hotel, then became (after a much needed renovation) the Château Crescent Apartments, located at 1420 Crescent, right in front of Winston Churchill’s . The word out (via tipster) is that they are planning to do a condo conversion. We haven’t yet checked if the rumors are actually true, since no tenants seem to have a clue about it.

Right now the building is advertised for rent and according to the Montreal Gazette ad, the rental prices are between $785 to $1245/month- we’re not sure what’s included.

They have also a few rental ads on CraigsList:

• $895 / 1br - RENOVATED APT HEART OF DOWNTOWN MTL
• $940 Apartment on Crescent Street.

If you are looking for Montreal Rentals. Here are a few links that will help you find your new pad.

• Craigslist’s Montreal for Rent
• Kijiji Montreal
• Canuck.ca Montreal
• Louer.com
• More Montreal

Although not about Real Estate, these blogs are quite entertaining. Specially for the downtown and Plateau crowd.

• Midnight Poutine | Montreal Blog
• MetroBlogging Montreal
• Montreal City WebLog

Do you know of other interesting and informative websites related to the Montreal Market? Let us know!