The heritage organization Héritage Montréal is saddened by the disappearance of two century-old facades on a condo building site on Van Horne Avenue earlier this month.
A first facade collapsed on February 9, while its neighbor was demolished a week later. She had become unstable and dangerous.
“It’s really a shame that Van Horne Street is losing two heritage witnesses to the beginnings of its urbanization,” lamented Dinu Bumbaru, of Héritage Montréal.
“Their deep terrain called for a densification project that would have integrated them. Last summer, the developer demolished the interior and rear parts, leaving only their facades retained by temporary frames, he continued. “It would surely have been preferable not to allow this partial demolition before the project work had actually begun. In fact, it is the same developer who is building a block of condos on the neighboring corner of Querbes Avenue. »
Swimko, the real estate developer who owns the premises, did not respond to the message or calls from The Press, Monday.
Public health investigation
In addition to heritage concerns, the collapses have caused health concerns: the facade that fell on February 9 was made of asbestos tiles, according to its previous owner.
Friday, the Commission for Standards, Equity and Health and Safety at Work (CNESST) explained that it had never authorized the demolition of the second facade, which raised a lot of dust on the site. The site was subject to a stop work order.
Montreal public health has launched an investigation into the potential presence of asbestos in the air in the area.
“The CNESST must manage the asbestos file, and to do this has required testing of building debris. The results will be sent to the Public Health Department,” said Sylvain Leclerc, in charge of communications for the Outremont district. “The debris from the construction site cannot be removed until the CNESST gives its approval. Moreover, no intervention on the construction site can be carried out until then. »