Steeped in history
The ultra-modern-glass-and-steel condo tower being built at 400 Dowd St. includes a brick facade that was originally constructed in 1870 as part of a textile mill — the first specifically designated industrial structure to be built within the parish of St. Patrick’s Basilica.
Eventually used as a paper mill, that brick building helped spark a transformation of the previously residential neighbourhood into Montreal’s centre for printing and paper manufacturing, which later became known as Paper Hill.
The structure at 400 Dowd St. was eventually joined by the Goliath Printing building, the Unity building, the Southam Printing Co. building and the Wilson Paper Manufacturing building. In light of the historical role it played in the area, the former mill at 400 Dowd St. was recognized as a landmark structure.
The 400 Dowd condo project gives that structure new life.
“We’ve never had something like it: a 17-storey building in an area dominated by heritage structures that are at most 10 storeys,” said Noam Schnitzer, a member of the 400 Dowd condo development group.
“The significance is important — we’re restoring this critical heritage piece and integrating it into the construction of a modern building.”
Renamed the Unity District in 1999 and reclaiming its original residential focus, Paper Hill has become one of the most soughtafter locations i n Montreal’s downtown core and is now home to several well-recognized residential properties such as Unity 1, Unity 2, Gillette Lofts, Wilson Lofts, and Southam Lofts.
The 400 Dowd condo project, as such, is in good company.