Old Iraqi consul’s home to be demolished
A house in Ahuntsic (100, rue Somerville) once occupied by the Iraqi consul to Montreal, and which has stood empty for more than 30 years, will finally be demolished. Twenty‑four trees on the lot are also to be cut down.
Ian 12:38 on 2025-04-25 Permalink
Oh, interesting. I have wondered what that place was, that explains it. Weird place for a diplomatic property but it is awfully pretty up thataway.
CE 13:39 on 2025-04-25 Permalink
Many years ago I jumped the fence with a friend and explored the house. It was partially burnt but was interesting for its indoor swimming pool that seemed to be in the living room. I always carried a digital camera back then so I must have some photos somewhere.
waterside-fowl 13:51 on 2025-04-25 Permalink
All the houses on the river side of Somerville Street should be moved to join the two waterside parks they interrupt. A linear park with ecological functions would be an excellent replacement for this example of very poor urbanism.
Ian 17:41 on 2025-04-25 Permalink
A park? Urbanism? How boring! Why stop there? As long as we’re off-topic & making stuff up, I propose tearing out the entire street, banning people from the area, and rewilding it completely. Phase 1 of everything within 50 meters of the river, all the way around the island.
/s
@CE I’d be curious to see any shots that exist, for sure.
CE 18:50 on 2025-04-25 Permalink
I went down memory lane looking through old photos but unfortunately couldn’t find them (if they exist).
waterside-fowl 10:40 on 2025-04-26 Permalink
@Ian: “…Urbanism? How boring!…”
Quite the opposite. Go for a walk right now on Somerville and notice how boring the walk is with banal suburban homes blocking views (and access) to a beautiful waterfront.
Other species find the cement flood-walls and lawns-to-the-waterside… boring to the point of extinction.
Ian 11:31 on 2025-04-26 Permalink
I did say why stop there … tbh you are describing wetland ecology in the context of a mixed urban environment, I don’t think just “moving” houses across the street (!) is going to sufficiently rewild anything, especially if it’s maintained as a park.
Look at the park around Perry Island, for example, just a few clicks uptiver – there’s very little truly wild space there, even the ducks are wary.