In Montreal, journalist Louis-Philippe Messier travels mostly on the run, with his desk in his backpack, in search of fascinating subjects and people. He speaks to everyone and is interested in all walks of life in this urban register.
It's impossible not to notice this when walking through the Quartier des Spectacles: the suspension pedestrian bridge that acts as an umbilical cord between two residential towers is the only one of its kind in Montreal. Our journalist was able to visit him on Wednesday evening.
Right next to the Desjardins complex, the two majestic towers of the Maestria project stand like black masses evoking the film 2001, Space Journey.
When you're walking around the Quartier des Spectacles for two, you won't miss seeing the pedestrian bridge between the Maestria Towers.
Photo by Louis-Philippe Messier
“Its construction required a quarter of the amount of concrete needed for the Olympic Stadium,” explains Marco Fontaine, vice president of development at Devimco.
Two years ago, cranes lifted the steel structure, which is 30 meters long and weighs about 60,000 kilograms, to the height of the 26th floor to serve as a link between the two structures.
“There is a foot-and-a-half wide polished metal slat on one side of the walkway so you can move freely in the event of an earthquake,” Mr. Fontaine explains.
In an interview with Marc Fontaine on the platform, which resembles a dressing room on the main stage of the Quartier des Spectacles.
Photo by Louis-Philippe Messier
Chairs and benches allow you to sit as if you were in a dressing room, directly in front of the main stage in the Quartier des Spectacles.
The walkway will serve as a place for apartment owners to relax and socialize.
Photo by Louis-Philippe Messier
You can also go out to see the city in 360 degrees or attend outdoor performances without leaving home.
The top of the walkway will be open to the sky. Apartment residents can come in, have a drink and watch shows.
Photo by Louis-Philippe Messier
There are no tourists
From the pedestrian bridge, the view is amazing, but unfortunately… you probably won't be able to go there!
It is intended for residents, and again, not for all residents.
“The use of the walkway is limited to the owners of the 1,042 residential apartments,” explains Bek Yas, a sales representative at Devimco.
The walkway is designed to withstand even a major earthquake.
Photo by Louis-Philippe Messier
As for the residents of the 700 rental units on the first 25 floors, they do not have the magic electronic chip that allows them to access the Olympic part of the building.
The studio here is sold for between $370,000 and $600,000.
“Do you want to see the shed?” Mr. Yas asks.
certainly!
So we get to 58H floor.
“The ceiling is 25 feet, and it takes almost a full-time staff to clean the windows up there!” shouts the seller jokingly.
This 58th-floor penthouse sold for $5.2 million and has a 25-foot-high ceiling.
Photo by Louis-Philippe Messier
Maestria is proud to be the tallest residential tower in the city.
From this $5.2 million condo, we have a view of Habitat 67 and Mount Royal.
When you get out of the bathroom, you can salute the cross.
Let's hope that these residents of about 2,500 at the front of the Spectacle District do not develop “Saint-Lambert Syndrome” and do not start complaining about the noise!
The view from the footbridge is really amazing overlooking the Quartier des Spectacles.
Photo by Louis-Philippe Messier
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