Habitat 67
Address: | 2600 Avenue Pierre-Dupuy Montreal, QC, H3C 3R6 |
District: | Old Montreal |
Architect: | Moshe Safdie |
Built in: | 1967 |
Web Site: | www.habitat67.com |
Profile
Commissioned by the city for World Expo 67, this groundbreaking housing complex by then very young architect Moshe Safdie elicits contractictory emotions from Montreal visitors and residents alike. Some praise its unique concept, valuing privacy, access to the city center, versatile apartment shapes providing multiple exposures and a patch of green space ("everybody gets a rooftop garden!"), street-like configuration of its hallways and amazing views afforded by its location. Others criticise the stern fortress-like look and point out that the project essentially failed as a stand-alone housing community (because of the unexpectedly high cost of engineering, the complex was only partially built). One thing is certain, nobody is indifferent.
Access
You can easily view the building from rue de la Commune in Old Montreal, but if you want to take a closer look, you'll need to take a shuttle bus from Downtown Montreal (av McGill College).
Information last updated: 17/Sep/2008
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