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Barsalou / Familex old factory

1600, de Lorimier Avenue, Montréal

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Published on : May 10 2021

Last modified on : May 10 2021

“Built in 1910 according to the plans of architect Eugène Payette, this building is best known for the curve in the design it forced on the Jacques-Cartier Bridge. Soap manufacturer Joseph Barsalou first occupied the building until it was bought by Proctor and Gamble in 1935. Roméo Parent’s pharmaceutical company, Familex, then purchased the building in 1943. The company was then sold to Pierre Valcourt in 1983. The Valcourt family sold the building to the Cosoltec company in 2019.”

Source: Écomusée du fier monde

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Usine Barsalou vers 1995

Source: Écomusée du fier monde

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As of October 2020, the chimney of this former factory, witness to its industrial past, is covered with a banner of the company Cosoltec, current owner of the building, which hides the original “Familex” wall advertisement.

The Ville-Marie borough is currently holding consultations with a view to drawing up its Particular Urban Planning Program (PPU) for the Faubourgs and we see an opportunity to enhance the rich industrial heritage of the district, of which the former Barsalou factory is part.

Finally, the Écomusée du fier monde presented the exhibition “Familex products: from the factory to your door” from December 6, 2020 to May 9, 2021; Familex occupied the building from 1943 to 1983. In addition, the Écomusée du fier monde offers an overview of the district’s industrial buildings on its website.

  • Municipality or borough

    Ville-Marie borough

  • Issues

    Mechanisms for protection

    Urban Development

  • Owner(s)

    Private: company

  • Threat(s)

    No upkeep

    Lack of knowledge

    Demand for land, speculation

    Inappropriate/incompatible use

  • Conception

    Eugène Payette, architect

  • Manager(s)

    Owner

  • Categorie(s)

    Industrial

  • Construction year

    1910

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