Life next door to a ruin
La Presse talked to people who have been forced to live next door to burned‑out ruins that are neither being fixed up nor torn down. The city tends to delay demolitions, even when needed – as in the case of the notorious collapsing building on Park Avenue.
DeWolf 11:01 on 2025-07-17 Permalink
It’s kind of crazy that even when the city asks for a demolition order, it takes the court six months to consider the application.
This brings to mind the beautiful but dilapidated buildings on Esplanade facing the park. The city took the owner to court in 2013, got a demolition order. The owner resisted and the appeal took five years to work its way through the courts. Even when the owner lost, he just didn’t demolish the building.
Why does the city drag its heels? Why are the courts so slow? And why are there so many property owners who are willing to sit on ruins for years or even decades? If they wanted to make a buck, surely they could just sell and let some developer clean up the mess? It’s deranged.
Kate 11:24 on 2025-07-17 Permalink
We had a discussion about that Esplanade building here in 2022. It would be interesting to know what goes through the heads of the owners of these properties. I suppose in some cases the owner is aging and unable to cope, or doesn’t have the funds. I’ve heard of cases where a property is in limbo over a succession dispute, but that can’t account for all of them.
The city should have more concern about living conditions for the neighbours, even if it means taking over the ruined building and making executive decisions.
Chris 14:20 on 2025-07-17 Permalink
> …who are willing to sit on ruins for years or even decades?
Demolition costs money. Not demolishing costs no money.
> If they wanted to make a buck, surely they could just sell
Property and land value just goes up and up and up. They can make a bigger buck if they wait.
Ian 17:49 on 2025-07-18 Permalink
DeWolf, I find it interesting that you think this is a situation where the city should flex its zoning laws but enforcing AirBnB zones is somehow an egregious burden on its finances. Didn’t you hear, their hands are tied?
As Chris points out, asking “cui bono” will usually give you your answers.