Perhaps the two most distinctive features of Montreal's low-rise architectural landscape are (1) lots of exterior stairs and (2) lots of balconies. (Their density is, of course, also noteworthy, particularly in a North American context.)
The exterior stairs are somewhat curious to outsiders given all the snow the city gets. But it's maybe a good case study and follow-up to yesterday's post about 1925 Victoria Park Road and its proposed exterior corridors.
As for the second feature, the Globe and Mail recently published this wonderful little ode to the Montreal balcony. It is a great reminder that, when designed well, people really do love balconies and exterior spaces.
This is an ongoing debate in the world of multi-family development, and the outcomes often vary by city and sometimes by housing tenure. But at the end of the day, I have yet to meet anyone who doesn't appreciate getting outside in the summer.
We are reasonably confident that summer will eventually arrive in Toronto this year, and so we (Junction House) have partnered with Indie Alehouse to host a public and outdoor beer garden from June through to August, right in the Junction.
We are calling it The House Beer Garden because we both have "House" in our name and that's as clever as we get.
Here are the details:
There will be four editions of The House Beer Garden and each will host a different local food vendor. For the first one, we will be welcoming Chau Toronto and their modern Asian bites.
The timing of the first Beer Garden also happens to line up with the Annual Summer Solstice Festival in the Junction (that was deliberate). So Dundas Street West will be closed to cars and it's going to be a lot of fun.
No need to RSVP. Just show up at 2720 Dundas Street West, Junction. See you in two weeks.