Century-old apartment block in Ville-Marie spared demolition, for now

A plan to demolish a 19th-century apartment block in the borough of Ville-Marie has been temporarily put on hold following an outcry by residents of the neighbourhood.

The apartment block, located on De Lorimier Avenue, was to be razed to make way for a residential tower that is twice as high as the current building.

But the borough has decided to delay its consideration of the demolition permit after residents organized a letter-writing campaign expressing concerns about the project.

• Demolition of historical building casts doubt on city's commitment to preservation
• Mount Stephen Club facade damaged by construction work

They are worried the taller residential tower will block views of the Jacques-CartierBridge and hurt property values.

"For the people of the neighbourhood [the project] promises to be a visual nuisance," said Nicolas Fournier, one of the organizers of the campaign.

The development company, Immo Premire, wants to replace the current apartment block, which dates from 1892, with an eight-story, 63-unit tower.

They have proposed integrating the facade of the current building into its plans, even though it isn't protected by heritage status.

Projet Montralcity councillorValriePlanteis pushing Immo Premire to revise its plans and incorporate certain heritage features of the existing building, such as the exterior staircases.

She called the staircases part of "Montreal's trademark."

There are 15 residential units in the current apartment block, most of which are empty. Tenants have reported receiving payments in exchange for leaving the premises by April 1.

Immo Premire declined an interview request from Radio-Canada.