Comments on: Welcome to Mile End http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/ Exploring urban life through word and photography. Sat, 17 May 2008 07:01:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.1 By: Christopher Szabla http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-1128 Christopher Szabla Tue, 02 Jan 2007 05:44:04 +0000 http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-1128 is this an advertisement? is this an advertisement?

]]> By: Christopher DeWolf http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-1129 Christopher DeWolf Tue, 02 Jan 2007 06:18:52 +0000 http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-1129 No, it's an introduction. I plan to post more on Mile End, including interviews with various people in the neighbourhood and some stuff on more specific aspects of its history. I promise it won't all have the same celebratory tone as this article. No, it’s an introduction. I plan to post more on Mile End, including interviews with various people in the neighbourhood and some stuff on more specific aspects of its history. I promise it won’t all have the same celebratory tone as this article.

]]> By: aj http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-1142 aj Tue, 02 Jan 2007 18:48:15 +0000 http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-1142 I love the irony in the current Google ad at the bottom of the story, a promotion for "lakeside acreage homesite" exurban sprawl in Texas... Chris D, in the context of <a href="http://imomus.com/thought290300.html" rel="nofollow">Momus' arguments about "fobo"</a>, i.e. faux-bohemians - rich kids slumming it and driving up rents - do you think this applies to Mile-End? I love the irony in the current Google ad at the bottom of the story, a promotion for “lakeside acreage homesite” exurban sprawl in Texas…

Chris D, in the context of Momus’ arguments about “fobo”, i.e. faux-bohemians - rich kids slumming it and driving up rents - do you think this applies to Mile-End?

]]> By: Christopher DeWolf http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-1152 Christopher DeWolf Wed, 03 Jan 2007 03:37:04 +0000 http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-1152 I have no idea. Sounds a bit unlikely, but maybe that's just because I've never met anyone that could be described like that. I'm not really part of the Mile End hipster scene but I can honestly say there doesn't seem to be a lot of money going around, considering the lack of gimmicky retail, etc. that might appeal to trust fund babies. I have no idea. Sounds a bit unlikely, but maybe that’s just because I’ve never met anyone that could be described like that. I’m not really part of the Mile End hipster scene but I can honestly say there doesn’t seem to be a lot of money going around, considering the lack of gimmicky retail, etc. that might appeal to trust fund babies.

]]> By: David Maloney http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-1184 David Maloney Thu, 04 Jan 2007 15:04:34 +0000 http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-1184 I'm surprised by the large number of French immigrants. It does seem like Saint-Joseph and nearby Bernard in Outremont have Parisienne influences though. So, the Greeks left Mile-End and settled in Laval (Chomedy) and Park Ex. The Jews left for Cote-St-Luc, and Hamstead, etc. What about the Portuguese? Have they largely remained in Mile-End or do they have other, more suburban enclaves? From my observations, the Portuguese in Toronto and Hamilton still live, for the most part, in the neighbourhoods they originally settled in while the Italians for instance have long since suburbanized. It's interesting if this is the same in Montreal. Thanks for sharing Mile-End with the world. It's a special place! I’m surprised by the large number of French immigrants. It does seem like Saint-Joseph and nearby Bernard in Outremont have Parisienne influences though.

So, the Greeks left Mile-End and settled in Laval (Chomedy) and Park Ex. The Jews left for Cote-St-Luc, and Hamstead, etc. What about the Portuguese? Have they largely remained in Mile-End or do they have other, more suburban enclaves?

From my observations, the Portuguese in Toronto and Hamilton still live, for the most part, in the neighbourhoods they originally settled in while the Italians for instance have long since suburbanized. It’s interesting if this is the same in Montreal.

Thanks for sharing Mile-End with the world. It’s a special place!

]]> By: Christopher DeWolf http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-1191 Christopher DeWolf Thu, 04 Jan 2007 18:35:49 +0000 http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-1191 Well, Montreal's big Portuguese neighbourhood has always been the western Plateau, centered along such streets as Duluth, Rachel and St. Laurent. The community's presence in Mile End is more residential -- although there are a lot of Portuguese families around (you can tell by the religious tiles they place near their front doors), there are only a handful of Portuguese businesses in the neighbourhood. In any case, I actually don't know much about the Portuguese community. Well, Montreal’s big Portuguese neighbourhood has always been the western Plateau, centered along such streets as Duluth, Rachel and St. Laurent. The community’s presence in Mile End is more residential — although there are a lot of Portuguese families around (you can tell by the religious tiles they place near their front doors), there are only a handful of Portuguese businesses in the neighbourhood.

In any case, I actually don’t know much about the Portuguese community.

]]> By: Linda Sendecki http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-1220 Linda Sendecki Sat, 06 Jan 2007 23:10:20 +0000 http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-1220 Thank you for that wonderful history lesson. I lived right across the street from the house in your first picture. That is on Jeanne Mance and Bernard. I was born in that house in 1950 and my Dad grew up in that house at 5810 Jeanne Mance. We had a rabinical college right across the street and alway enjoyed living among our Jewish neighbors. I alsays loved that neighborhood and always felt it was a very special place. It is also a very special place to my two brothers. Thanks again. Thank you for that wonderful history lesson. I lived right across the street from the house in your first picture. That is on Jeanne Mance and Bernard. I was born in that house in 1950 and my Dad grew up in that house at 5810 Jeanne Mance. We had a rabinical college right across the street and alway enjoyed living among our Jewish neighbors. I alsays loved that neighborhood and always felt it was a very special place. It is also a very special place to my two brothers. Thanks again.

]]> By: Siqi Zhu http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-1276 Siqi Zhu Mon, 08 Jan 2007 06:56:17 +0000 http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-1276 No gimmicky retails? So like, there aren't any spirituality specialists or American Apparel? I also haven't seen any bongo players in any of the pictures. Miles End seems like a very sensible place; with the great architecture this is a winning combination. No gimmicky retails? So like, there aren’t any spirituality specialists or American Apparel? I also haven’t seen any bongo players in any of the pictures. Miles End seems like a very sensible place; with the great architecture this is a winning combination.

]]> By: Christopher DeWolf http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-1283 Christopher DeWolf Mon, 08 Jan 2007 08:45:40 +0000 http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-1283 Well, of course there's some gimmicky retail, but no American Apparel yet. They've saturated all of the other neighbourhoods (there's three on Ste. Catherine Street) but haven't invaded Mile End. A Toronto equivalent to Mile End would probably be Kensington Market. Well, of course there’s some gimmicky retail, but no American Apparel yet. They’ve saturated all of the other neighbourhoods (there’s three on Ste. Catherine Street) but haven’t invaded Mile End.

A Toronto equivalent to Mile End would probably be Kensington Market.

]]> By: Linda Sendecki http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-1333 Linda Sendecki Tue, 09 Jan 2007 19:43:46 +0000 http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-1333 was I wrong in my first comment. The more I look at the picture I am starting to doubt myself because of the thickness of the floor of the balcony. Was that in deed on the corner of Jeanne Mance and Bernard. was I wrong in my first comment. The more I look at the picture I am starting to doubt myself because of the thickness of the floor of the balcony. Was that in deed on the corner of Jeanne Mance and Bernard.

]]> By: Linda Sendecki http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-1335 Linda Sendecki Tue, 09 Jan 2007 19:51:17 +0000 http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-1335 One more question I promise. The picture that states "Park Ave" main artery through Mile End. What is that tall building. Thanks. One more question I promise. The picture that states “Park Ave” main artery through Mile End. What is that tall building. Thanks.

]]> By: Christopher DeWolf http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-1336 Christopher DeWolf Tue, 09 Jan 2007 21:10:10 +0000 http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-1336 Linda, the first photo is Fairmount and Clark, just above Wilensky's. The third photo, however --- the one with the little kid in a red coat --- is the corner of Jeanne Mance and Bernard. The tall building you're asking about is called the Park Avenue Building and it's located at the corner of Park and Van Horne. It's an industrial loft building. Linda, the first photo is Fairmount and Clark, just above Wilensky’s. The third photo, however — the one with the little kid in a red coat — is the corner of Jeanne Mance and Bernard.

The tall building you’re asking about is called the Park Avenue Building and it’s located at the corner of Park and Van Horne. It’s an industrial loft building.

]]> By: Justin Bur http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-1488 Justin Bur Sat, 13 Jan 2007 06:45:57 +0000 http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-1488 Very interesting article, fabulous photos. You're right that Mile End was first settled around the church of Saint-Enfant-Jésus, but the name was in use at least forty years earlier. It originally referred to what is now the intersection of Saint-Laurent and Mont-Royal, a very old crossroads and the first one north of the city limits. More details in Wikipedia under "Mile End (Montreal)". Very interesting article, fabulous photos.

You’re right that Mile End was first settled around the church of Saint-Enfant-Jésus, but the name was in use at least forty years earlier. It originally referred to what is now the intersection of Saint-Laurent and Mont-Royal, a very old crossroads and the first one north of the city limits. More details in Wikipedia under “Mile End (Montreal)”.

]]> By: urbanmkr http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-2499 urbanmkr Wed, 31 Jan 2007 21:07:23 +0000 http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-2499 Interesting article, and I like the photos. Just a comment on a comment - I don't think the Greeks left Mile-End to go to Parc-Ex. Parc-Ex is not a destination neighbourhood (yet, anyway), it's more of a transition neighbourhood, a first stop for immigrants until they can find somewhere better. So the Greeks in Parc-Ex settled there on arrival. It's how Mile-End used to be - as you say, Mile-End is becoming more of a destination than a transition neighbourhood. There are also quite a number of US immigrants living in Mile-End. It's hard to tell from census data whether these are Vietnam draft-dodgers, Silicone Valley refugees come to work at Ubisoft, or Hassidic Jews who have come in from New York. Interesting article, and I like the photos. Just a comment on a comment - I don’t think the Greeks left Mile-End to go to Parc-Ex. Parc-Ex is not a destination neighbourhood (yet, anyway), it’s more of a transition neighbourhood, a first stop for immigrants until they can find somewhere better. So the Greeks in Parc-Ex settled there on arrival. It’s how Mile-End used to be - as you say, Mile-End is becoming more of a destination than a transition neighbourhood.
There are also quite a number of US immigrants living in Mile-End. It’s hard to tell from census data whether these are Vietnam draft-dodgers, Silicone Valley refugees come to work at Ubisoft, or Hassidic Jews who have come in from New York.

]]> By: Christopher DeWolf http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-2516 Christopher DeWolf Thu, 01 Feb 2007 05:00:43 +0000 http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-2516 Most of them are probably American-born Hassidic Jews. The rest probably can't be lumped into any particular group. As for Park Extension, I don't think it's a transition point between Mile End and somewhere else---Greeks settled in Park Ex at the same time they settled in Mile End. I also suspect that many of the Greeks who still live there (about 1/3 of the neighbourhood's population) are property owners who live in duplexes or in the bungalow belt in the north end of the neighbourhood. They certainly don't live in the apartment buildings where new immigrants reside. Most of them are probably American-born Hassidic Jews. The rest probably can’t be lumped into any particular group.

As for Park Extension, I don’t think it’s a transition point between Mile End and somewhere else—Greeks settled in Park Ex at the same time they settled in Mile End. I also suspect that many of the Greeks who still live there (about 1/3 of the neighbourhood’s population) are property owners who live in duplexes or in the bungalow belt in the north end of the neighbourhood. They certainly don’t live in the apartment buildings where new immigrants reside.

]]> By: bobr http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-3534 bobr Sun, 11 Feb 2007 22:11:21 +0000 http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-3534 Nice article! What are the borders of Mile End within the Plateau? Nice article! What are the borders of Mile End within the Plateau?

]]> By: Christopher DeWolf http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-3557 Christopher DeWolf Mon, 12 Feb 2007 04:37:24 +0000 http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-3557 Bobr, the boundaries of the Mile End municipal electoral district are Hutchison Street to the west; the CPR tracks to the north; Mount Royal Avenue to the south; and St. Denis Street to the east. In terms of what most people consider to be Mile End, however, the neighbourhood is shaped more like this: ====CPR Tracks====== | ..................................S |...................................t. |...................................D H..................................e u..................................n t...................................i c..................................s h...................=Laurier== i....................| s...................| o...................M n...................a |....................i |....................n |....................| =MT. ROYAL== Bobr, the boundaries of the Mile End municipal electoral district are Hutchison Street to the west; the CPR tracks to the north; Mount Royal Avenue to the south; and St. Denis Street to the east.

In terms of what most people consider to be Mile End, however, the neighbourhood is shaped more like this:

====CPR Tracks======
| …………………………….S
|……………………………..t.
|……………………………..D
H…………………………….e
u…………………………….n
t……………………………..i
c…………………………….s
h……………….=Laurier==
i………………..|
s……………….|
o……………….M
n……………….a
|………………..i
|………………..n
|………………..|
=MT. ROYAL==

]]> By: David Maloney http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-3561 David Maloney Mon, 12 Feb 2007 05:39:38 +0000 http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-3561 That map is pretty cool! Although when I lived in Mile-End (St-Viateur and Jeanne Mance) everything east of the Main seemed foreign to me and south of Laurier felt Plateauish - definitely a different vibe. Even just west of Park seemed wannabe Outremont, although I loved that the physical distinction between Mile-End (old Ville de Montreal / Ville d'Outremont municipal boundary) was so strikingly evident. So, my Mile-End (keep in mind my naive Ontario perspective on the world) consisted of the blocks north of Laurier up to the CP tracks, between Park Ave and St-Laurent. The Main Street of Mile-End, for actual residents seemed like St-Viateur between Park and St-Laurent, although Park Ave clearly had more activity - it just felt a bit more like a thoroughfare. That map is pretty cool! Although when I lived in Mile-End (St-Viateur and Jeanne Mance) everything east of the Main seemed foreign to me and south of Laurier felt Plateauish - definitely a different vibe. Even just west of Park seemed wannabe Outremont, although I loved that the physical distinction between Mile-End (old Ville de Montreal / Ville d’Outremont municipal boundary) was so strikingly evident.

So, my Mile-End (keep in mind my naive Ontario perspective on the world) consisted of the blocks north of Laurier up to the CP tracks, between Park Ave and St-Laurent. The Main Street of Mile-End, for actual residents seemed like St-Viateur between Park and St-Laurent, although Park Ave clearly had more activity - it just felt a bit more like a thoroughfare.

]]> By: Christopher DeWolf http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-3570 Christopher DeWolf Mon, 12 Feb 2007 07:14:14 +0000 http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-3570 That's definitely the core of Mile End. South of Laurier is a transition zone. But really, in the grand scheme of things, Mile End and the western Plateau (that is to say west of St. Denis) are both the same neighbourhood. They have share architecture, culture and history. The real divide on the Plateau is St. Denis---everything east of there is very distinct from the areas around St. Laurent or Park. That’s definitely the core of Mile End. South of Laurier is a transition zone. But really, in the grand scheme of things, Mile End and the western Plateau (that is to say west of St. Denis) are both the same neighbourhood. They have share architecture, culture and history. The real divide on the Plateau is St. Denis—everything east of there is very distinct from the areas around St. Laurent or Park.

]]> By: Glenn Freeman http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-55380 Glenn Freeman Sat, 02 Jun 2007 10:26:04 +0000 http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-55380 Hi, Nice pics. Used to live at 211 Fairmount from 1983-1990, just above that depanneur! If you can, please send me (or put up) more pics of that area, I would deeply appreciate it, as I now live in Europe, and don't know when I'll get back there. Cheers, Glenn Hi,

Nice pics. Used to live at 211 Fairmount from 1983-1990, just above that depanneur! If you can, please send me (or put up) more pics of that area, I would deeply appreciate it, as I now live in Europe, and don’t know when I’ll get back there.

Cheers,

Glenn

]]> By: BIEDERBLOG » Unusual Silence http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-64710 BIEDERBLOG » Unusual Silence Mon, 25 Jun 2007 17:15:29 +0000 http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-64710 [...] Installing work for Rafael Lozano-Hemmer at Art Basel Unlimited, and moving my house over to the Mile-End district of Montreal.  I’ve also been doing a serious amount of work updating the I-TASC website after the [...] […] Installing work for Rafael Lozano-Hemmer at Art Basel Unlimited, and moving my house over to the Mile-End district of Montreal.  I’ve also been doing a serious amount of work updating the I-TASC website after the […]

]]> By: Tom http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-71955 Tom Mon, 16 Jul 2007 23:17:05 +0000 http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-71955 hey Chris, Great article. Makes me not want to move away. your upstairs neighbour, Tom hey Chris,

Great article. Makes me not want to move away.

your upstairs neighbour,

Tom

]]> By: French Panic http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-71961 French Panic Mon, 16 Jul 2007 23:38:54 +0000 http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-71961 Chris: Excellent photos, and excellent description of the neighbourhood. I also thought urbanmkr's comment about Park Ex being "a first stop for immigrants until they can find somewhere better" was fun-neee, as myself and your upstairs neighbour Tom just helped move our non-immigrant friends (on Moving Day, bien sur) into the home they just purchased in Park Ex. I'm not a fan of labels (oooh, this neighbourhood is being gentrified, this one is for transtitioning immigrants, this one is for yuppies, this is for gangstas...) and you done Mile End good! Chris:

Excellent photos, and excellent description of the neighbourhood. I also thought urbanmkr’s comment about Park Ex being “a first stop for immigrants until they can find somewhere better” was fun-neee, as myself and your upstairs neighbour Tom just helped move our non-immigrant friends (on Moving Day, bien sur) into the home they just purchased in Park Ex.

I’m not a fan of labels (oooh, this neighbourhood is being gentrified, this one is for transtitioning immigrants, this one is for yuppies, this is for gangstas…) and you done Mile End good!

]]> By: Valentine Par-tay at ecodarling.com http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-153704 Valentine Par-tay at ecodarling.com Sat, 19 Apr 2008 15:40:48 +0000 http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-153704 [...] the spirit of highlighting new stores in Mile End, here’s the word on the Hanneman Design/EcoDarling store on Villeneuve that opened this [...] […] the spirit of highlighting new stores in Mile End, here’s the word on the Hanneman Design/EcoDarling store on Villeneuve that opened this […]

]]> By: KC http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-157775 KC Sun, 04 May 2008 18:27:57 +0000 http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/01/01/welcome-to-mile-end/#comment-157775 Note that the Hasid photo caption that reads "The western half of Outremont and eastern edge of Mile End..." should read "The eastern half of Outremont and western edge of Mile End...". Note that the Hasid photo caption that reads “The western half of Outremont and eastern edge of Mile End…” should read “The eastern half of Outremont and western edge of Mile End…”.

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