Used as a snow dump, the site of the former Francon quarry (now known as the Saint-Michel quarry) looks like a huge crater of greenery in the heart of Montreal. This area covers approximately 20% (17% to be exact) of the district of Saint-Michel...
Located in the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve neighborhood, the silo # 3 was built in 1923. The architect was John S. Metcalfe who were responsible for the construction of most silos in the Port of Montreal (1, 2, 3, 5). It is thanks to its innovations that the Port of Montreal was the largest grain port in North America in 1914.
As I wrote, it was built in 1923 by Canadian Vickers at the east of the others silos. By this choice, the Port of Montreal wanted to avoid traffic congestion around the other silos already built. With annexes built in 1928, it was more than 150 000 metric tons of grain that could be stored into the complex of four sets of silos.
With the rationalization of the port of Montreal in 1978, the silo number 3 ceased its grain shipments by vessel and will specialize in trucks loading to serve the domestic market. Nine years later, it will cease all its operations.
From 1987 to 1993, the structure was used successively by Miron companies, Lake Ontario Cement and Ciment Québec, for the handling, processing and storage of cement powder.
Today, several portions of this huge complex have been demolished, and a new warehouse was built on the site of the former Miron lift. The site is abandoned, although its owner is still the Port of Montreal. The photos were taken in 2013.
In 2014, the grain elevator number 3 is back to life. It is modernized at the cost of $ 22 million and will be used by the company CanEst Transit. See article in the e-magazine Logbook, published by the Port of Montreal at :
Used as a snow dump, the site of the former Francon quarry (now known as the Saint-Michel quarry) looks like a huge crater of greenery in the heart of Montreal. This area covers approximately 20% (17% to be exact) of the district of Saint-Michel...
For the region, it is a vestige of an industrial era that is now over. Whereas in the past, the factory gave a salary to nearly a hundred employees, the complex is now padlocked and deserted, although monitored by about twenty surveillance...
Destroyed by mechanical shovels in 2011, it is a true slice of history of the city of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu who was destroyed that day in February. The adventure of the Singer factory has lasted over 100 years and has gave work to thousand of...
The building, called the Omnipac, is for sale and the sellers offer a touch of humor to attract potential buyers. "Completely renovated," says the sign even if there is a graffiti invasion on every walls and all windows are missing. The place is...