Griffintown Project Revised: District Griffin Unveiled

Photo: Devimco

Back in february last year, we had news on the project scaling back by 30% of its original size. Then in March 2009, Devimco was asking the city of Montreal to step in with financial help.

The much anticipated project in the southwest borough is now unveiled.

Scaled down to $475 million from the original $1.3 billion re-development plan originally presented by Devimco, the new project is now called “District Griffin”. The city of Montreal is investing an additional 30 million towards the development of public and green spaces and infrastructure renovations.

Phase 1 of District Griffin will include four towers, from 17 to 19 storeys,1,375 residential units, a 3-star hotel will also be built. Also 200,000 square feet of office space. Commercial spaces will be available on the groundfloor, with 130,000 square feet that will include restaurants, a daycare centre, small local businesses, a gym and a spa.

The Main’s high vacancy rate

Back in April, I took some pictures of The Main between Sherbrooke and Pins, and I noticed the abundance of empty office/store spaces in the area. Clothing stores like American Apparel, and the infamous MAC cosmetics store are now gone.(The horror!)

The Shed Cafe has been replaced by McGibbings Pub (double horror), and a few of quebec-designer boutiques have vanished from the street.

Makes you wonder: what the heck is going on? Why is everyone leaving?
The first few reasons that came to mind were: Rents are too high, or maybe the business taxes have sky rocketed? Not enough traffic in winter=Low sales.
Or could have been because of the repeated amount of work done on the street (sewers, new side walk, you name it- they’ve done it)

Well, as it turns out, it has been a combination of all the above.

Recently, La Presse published an article on it where Anabelle Nicoud covers the factors involved in the downward slope of the Main. In her article “Quand la Main décline: après le clinquant, le vide”, Mme Nicole explains the reasons behind the high vacancy rate in the Main:

“Les travaux se sont non seulement étirés en longueur, mais leur fin a coïncidé avec le début de la récession. Martin Delisle, de la boutique Blank, dit avoir observé, comme d’autres commerçants, une baisse de 30% de son chiffre d’affaires cette année. Malgré tout, les impôts fonciers ont augmenté et les loyers restent souvent inabordables.”

Read the complete article at La Presse

Eatery: Titanic Cafe in Old Montreal

Definitely the perfect place if you’re looking to grab a quick lunch, just before the lunch-rush hour.
You’ve probably won’t find Titanic unless someone points it out to you. Its not located in a major street in Old Montreal, but it is well known by the locals as a Gourmet Sandwich place. Titanic Cafe, hidden away in the semi-basement, has by far the tastiest antipasto plate I’ve had ever tried. Not to mention the huge, melt-in-your-mouth baguette sandwiches that are their signature style. Suggested sandwiches: Tuna Salad, and the Mexican Style Pork Sandwich.
If you can manage to arrive before 12 noon, the better chances to find a table. The place fills up very quickly, everyday.

Titanic Cafe

Address: 445 Rue St-Pierre
Tel: 514. 849. 0894
Website

Open weekdays only.

Montreal Image: Park in Little Italy

photo: Deya Bautista

This little park is the same one facing the Condo Church in little Italy, on St Laurent Blvd. According to Google maps it’s called Parc Martel.
It’s located right at the entrance of the lovely neighbourhood of Little Italy. If you’ve never been there, it’s on St Laurent and Ste Zotique, where all the stores (apparel, groceries, etc) as well as restaurant and cafes are located. From this point on, and all the way north until Jean Talon there are many many places to shop, eat or just visit. There is now new developments and businesses opening on the Blvd just south of Ste Zotique. The area is expanding and new construction condos are surfacing in the neighbourhood.

The Montreal Real Estate Blog showcases outstanding images from talented local photographers.  If you’d like to submit your photography, please join our flickr pool.

Montreal Image: Gray Morning on Notre Dame E.

Photo: Deyanira Bautista.

I took a little walk in the neighbourhood with my camera the other day and I saw this almost empty side of the street, slightly covered with snow.It looked so peaceful. You can see the Molson logo at the top of the building in the center faded a bit by the fog.  This is the exact location where the picture was taken.

The Montreal Real Estate Blog showcases outstanding images from talented local photographers. Images are licensed with Creative Commons 3.0 . If you’d like to submit your photography, please join our flickr pool.

Eatery: Resident Diner in Old Montreal

Right in the corner of Notre Dame and St Denis (or Bonsecours since it’s on the south side), you will find Resident Restaurant; a big and spacious room with high ceiling, elegant yet casual minimalist decor. The type of cooking they offer is a mix of comfort food with a twits of gourmet.
I’ve had the chance to eat there a few times (and try different dishes), and I’ve even met clients for lunch (they’ve loved it!). By far my favorites are the spicy Crab Cakes as appetizers, and for the main course I loved the Lamb Shepherd’s Pie, and the Grilled Bavette with Shallots on Red Wine Sauce.

Resident Diner

Address: 400 Notre Dame E. (corner of St Denis)
Tel: 514-844.1466.
Average price: $16-$23 per person (not including tip or alcohol)

And…Live jazz band on Saturday night.

Lachine Canal in Time Magazine’s Top 10 Bike Paths

Photo courtesy: A.J Kandy.

Time magazine published their top 10 bike paths and Montreal made it to number 3 on the list.
In their article they make reference to different areas surrounding the path: Atwater Market, the water front properties, the Rene Levesque park, just to mention a few. It is interesting to see the developing of this area that not too long ago was still considered a bit rough. Still may will refer to it as Lil Burgundy area- wrongfully so.

The Atwater/Lachine Canal area has developed nicely into a neighbourhood that is now being featured in the Time magazine. How sweet can that be? Congratulation to all its residents!

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