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4403-4407 and 4413-4423, l’Esplanade Avenue

4403 and 4413 de l’Esplanade Avenue

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Published on : March 11 2016

Last modified on : July 16 2025

Built in 1904, these two buildings were designed by architect Jean-Zéphirin Resther, one of the founding members of the Association of Architects of the Province of Quebec in 1890.

Throughout his career, Resther contributed to the design of numerous buildings for religious communities, including the Collège du Mont-Saint-Louis (1887–1888) and the Saint-Sacrement Sanctuary (1892), both located in Montreal. Toward the end of his career, he also designed the plans for the Saint-Nom-de-Marie boarding school (1902–1903) in Outremont (Montreal) and the Louis-Ovide-Grothé factory (1906) in Montreal.

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4403-4413 de l’Esplanade

Source: Google Street View

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These two buildings hold significant heritage value, as they are the result of high-quality architectural design and execution. They have retained their original architectural features, including cut stonework, detailed cornice and stringcourse masonry, sculpted lintels, and more.

In addition, they are important witnesses to the development of the former village of Saint-Jean-Baptiste and continue to contribute to the distinguished streetscape of Esplanade Avenue, with its few remaining U-shaped buildings—remnants of the area’s affluent past—forming part of the visual landscape of the Mount Royal historic site.

The current owner acquired both buildings in 1978. In 1996, tenants were required to vacate due to unsanitary conditions. In 2002, the buildings were officially recognized as heritage properties, and the City attempted—unsuccessfully—to purchase them for renovation and resale.

In 2014, a legal dispute began between the owner and the Ministry of Culture and Communications over the demolition of 4413–4423 Esplanade. In 2018, the Superior Court ordered the owner to carry out both demolition and repair work. The Ministry did not grant authorization. In 2019, part of the structure collapsed. The Ministry then authorized demolition but required that the façade be preserved. Each stone was carefully removed, numbered, and stored pending reconstruction in identical form. The neighboring building at 4403–4407 is also in need of restoration.

  • Municipality or borough

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    Le Plateau-Mont-Royal

  • Issues

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    Mechanisms for protection

    Urban Development

  • Owner(s)

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    Private

  • Threat(s)

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    Vacant

    No upkeep

    Demolition

  • Conception

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    Jean-Zéphirin Resther, Architect

  • Manager(s)

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    Individual

  • Categorie(s)

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    Residential

  • Construction year

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    1904

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