From the outside, one notices its architectural details and its wrought iron. Without forgetting its balconies and its heterogeneous structure that stands out from this neighborhood to the residential buildings with the austere austere. Now, it is by entering that one discovers a mysterious building that mixes rich moldings to the ceilings and vault to the satanic looks.

Abandoned for a decade, the building has undergone several modifications over the years. Built in 1934, it is quite easy to see that the basement, a sort of medieval vault made of stone and terrazzo, have not been built at the same epoch. Nevertheless, the mystery is great in front of this altar installed in front of the staircase and surrounded by a pillar with details reminiscent of the Gothic churches. Who needs such an installation in his basement? 

Nevertheless, through the artefacts found here and there, one may think that a member of Parliament, parliamentarian or other person related to the provincial government has lived there, worked, or at least stored documentation. This explain its code name from the community of the urbex: the minister's house.

However, the building bears the name of a wealthy merchant and company president, who died 60 years before the building was built. This is probably either a tribute to this pioneer.

The site, which is valued at $ 1.4 million, now belongs to a company specializing in the construction and renovation of residential buildings. In 2014, Montreal city counsil had agreed to a $ 6.5 million project for the construction of a 49-unit building on 5 floors. The building would be adjacent to the abandoned building whose facades would be restored.

Three years later, there is no construction or restoration.

The building is thus left alone invaded by vandals who, during the two weeks before our visit, broke two windows and tagged the wall in the entrance hall. I guess that this is just the beginning.