The owner’s tour | A candy box in Old Montreal

Owners open the doors of their exceptional residence to us, offered on the resale market.

Eric Clement
The Press

A bonbonniere is not just a small box of nicely decorated treats. By extension, the term also qualifies a small, pretty and well-appointed apartment. This is the case of unit 32 at 294, rue Saint-Paul Ouest, in Old Montreal.

Its location on the third floor with a south-facing view over the Old Port, the Silo n^oh 5, Habitat 67 and the greenery of Place D’Youville make it a place where you could see yourself living without any problem, in the heart of the historic district of the metropolis.

It is not without regret that Brent Walker will leave this condo acquired with his spouse in 2007, having chosen to live in a larger house. It is part of a condominium of 11 units, 6 residential and 5 commercial — the latter being owned by two owners — with 2 condos per floor. Built in 1902, the five-storey building is protected by the Quebec Cultural Property Act. It has, on rue Saint-Paul, a rather impressive ornate stone facade.

A special charm

Originally from Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, Brent Walker has other properties, but this one has a special charm, he says.

Located right next to the Olive and Gourmando café and Les Pyrénées restaurant, the building is at an angle with the Phi Center and a few steps from the Pointe-à-Callière museum and the art galleries of Saint-Paul Street. So in a lively area of ​​Old Montreal, but relatively quiet, even during the summer. The condo has optimal light, resulting from large bay windows that overlook the bouquet of trees in Place D’Youville.

The 138 m condo^⁠2, with its high ceilings provided with recessed lights, has a rustic and modern side at the same time. The light-colored hardwood floor gives a lot of softness, and the typical brick walls make the living room and the dining room a large room where you feel like breathing. The long kitchen has plenty of storage and black granite countertops that contrast with the white cabinets. An adjoining breakfast area is quite charming. Quite large, the master bedroom has a walk-in closet. walk-in and a well-equipped bathroom.

As provided by law, a contingency fund established by the syndicate of co-ownership makes it possible to plan the work to be carried out in the future. For now, the major work has been done. The lobby of the building was renovated from 2013 to 2015. The roof was replaced in 2014-2015 with the installation of a membrane. The semi-private elevator (with key access) was renovated in 2020. The heating, provided by individual heat pumps, was changed three years ago and the water heater in the apartment, in 2017. The charges condominiums are $716 per month.

Additional fees

The apartment is equipped with smoke detectors and residential sprinklers. However, there is no private parking. Mr. Walker says there is no problem parking in the neighborhood. He points out that the sale price, $798,000, is attractive given the current market, the scarcity of quality apartments in renovated buildings, the spectacle offered by the bay windows, and taking into account the low difference between the price and the municipal assessment, i.e. $726,500.

You still have to consider the additional fees and taxes. By adding the condominium fees to the electricity bill and the property taxes, we arrive at $17,437, or approximately $1,450 per month. Note that the condominium fees of $10,704 per year include heating, air conditioning, building insurance, maintenance and contribution to the contingency fund.

The owners rented their condo from February 2019 to August 2021 at $2700 per month. Note however that it is not authorized, in this building, to rent an apartment for short periods. Rentals are possible for periods of more than six months.

This condo seems ideal for a couple attracted by the cultural activities of Old Montreal or for a young family with a child. But also, why not, for retired people. Shops and service shops have sprung up like mushrooms in the neighborhood and the CHUM is not very far, in case of health problems…