Little Burgundy evolving from its working class roots
The community of Griffintown has come a long way from its working class roots. The neighbourhood, which is situated in the Sud-Ouest borough of Montreal, was historically inhabited by Irish immigrants who played a key role in developing the industrial and economic infrastructure that made Montreal an important city for trade and commerce at the beginning of the 19th century.
Many of its adjacent neighbourhoods share a common past, as they were all part of Montreal’s industrialization, and provided jobs for labourers and tradesmen in many industries.
“Workers followed the jobs and populated the neighbourhood,” said Tiffanie Rothwell, real-estate broker and co-founding member of Keller Williams Prestige. “Being close to the Lachine Canal and rail transport, it was an attractive place for manufacturers to settle.”
But a lot has changed over the decades. Today, being close to the canal is benefiting a new breed of resident. Instead of the working class that once inhabited the area, young professionals, families, and students have come to occupy the many new condo developments in Griffintown and such communities as Little Burgundy.
“Notre-Dame St. is at the centre of Little Burgundy’s revival,” said Tanya Boni, real-estate broker and co-founding member of Keller Williams Prestige.
“The street actually runs through more than 22 miles of Montreal, but the section of Notre-Dame St. that passes through Little Burgundy has its own nickname and personality.”
Long known as Antique Alley because of the clustering of dusty antique shops, the area has seen a substantial shift in commercial tenants during the last decade.
“Now we have trendy record labels, non-profit organizations and restaurants,” Tanya Boni said. “Places like Joe Beef and Burgundy Lion — which, in my opinion, are two of Montreal’s favourite spots — are bringing a lot of foot traffic to the area.”
Aside from these popular restaurants, people are flocking to Little Burgundy to take in everything else it has to offer, from its proximity to the scenic Lachine Canal and to establishments such as Grinder, Tuck Shop, Bitoque, Evvo, and the Drinkerie.
“When we’re talking central points in Little Burgundy, none is more prominent than Notre Dame St. W. because it’s really the neighbourhood’s main artery,” Tiffanie Rothwell said. “People love to talk about the gentrification of Montreal’s residential areas, but Little Burgundy is one of the few areas where you can notice the changes immediately.”
It’s impossible to talk about Notre-Dame St. and Little Burgundy without also mentioning the Corona Theatre, known today as the Virgin Mobile Corona Theatre.
“The former-movie-theatre-turned-concert-venue was built in 1912 and has a distinctive cast-iron and ceramic facade and a luxuriously decorated interior,” Boni said. “It’s an important piece of Montreal’s heritage, and people still come visit the building today to understand its history.”
But the neighbourhood’s contributions to the arts extend well beyond this landmark theatre. In fact, it’s quite well known for producing several talented jazz musicians.
“During Prohibition and the later years before (Mayor Jean) Drapeau, Little Burgundy was home to so many lively nightclubs featuring homegrown and international performers,” Rothwell said.
“Household names likes Oscar Peterson and Oliver Jones are perhaps the two best-known musicians who emerged from the bebop and post-bop era.”
In its heyday, Little Burgundy’s contributions to music had a true impact on the entire vibe and culture of Montreal.
“It was home to some of the best nightclubs in the city, like Rockhead’s Paradise, which would regularly host jazz legends like Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan and Sammy Davis Jr. up on stage,” Boni said. “So it makes total sense that two of Canada’s most respected jazz musicians, Oliver Jones and Oscar Peterson, grew up in Little Burgundy.”
Today, even as condo buildings go up and the historic factories of the industrial era are slowly being replaced, you can still feel a distinct sense of artistry in the air in Little Burgundy.
“I think residents will always carry a sense of pride stemming from its past,” Boni said. “It has such an interesting history, it’s a perfect Montreal story in a way.”
People looking to saturate themselves with all that Little Burgundy has to offer by moving to the area have a wide variety of properties to choose from.
Le Canal, for instance, is a fourphase condo project in Griffintown totalling 420 units, many of which have direct views of the Lachine Canal. Le Canal’s prices start at $227,000 and go up to $1.13 million plus tax.
“What’s really special about Le Canal is that 47 per cent of the site’s surface area is devoted to landscaped grounds, and the development is flanked on two sides by federally-protected parkland, meaning that Le Canal’s hallmark views and unique character will never be adulterated,” Rothwell said. “This is unlike other projects that use all of their land to sell more units and be profitable.”
“The site also features a sunkissed inner courtyard, pedestrian walkways with fountains and water rows, indoor and outdoor infinity pools, two fitness centres, a ground-level bistro and a rooftop urban chalet,” Boni said. “It’s the perfect development for people who want to live in the city, but don’t want to compromise on green space.”
The Lachine Canal is very helpful in this regard as well. Lined by bicycle paths, walking trails, and including pedalo, canoe, and kayak rentals, the canal provides plenty to do for those who like to keep busy outdoors.
“Little Burgundy is such a special part of the city, both historically and today,” Rothwell said.
“If you haven’t been, you really need to get out and see the market, the canal, and just stroll around and take in the energy there.
“There’s truly nothing like the southwest borough in all of Montreal.”