Montrose Project

Location: Westmount, Montreal, Quebec

The Allure of Westmount: A Dialogue Between Eras

Westmount is more than just an address; it’s a narrative woven into the fabric of Montreal. Its streets are lined with homes that possess a distinct architectural grace – predominantly Victorian, with their intricate details, soaring ceilings, and undeniable sense of history. When the owners of this particular residence invited me into their newly acquired, yet time-worn, Victorian gem, the potential was palpable.

The challenge, and indeed the immense pleasure, was to honour this rich heritage while infusing it with the vibrancy, comfort, and functionality of contemporary life. Our shared goal, established right here on Thursday, April 24, 2025, was clear: create a sophisticated, modern family home that engaged in a respectful and exciting dialogue with its storied past.

The living room, often the formal heart of a Victorian home, presented a perfect canvas. Blessed with original features – elaborate crown mouldings, perhaps a beautifully carved fireplace mantel, and tall windows bathing the space in Montreal’s unique light – we decided these elements wouldn’t be muted, but celebrated.

Our clients, however, envisioned the kitchen as the true hub of their modern family life – a place for cooking, casual meals, homework, and connection. To achieve this, we re-imagined its role and often its location or flow within the home’s footprint.

The challenge, and indeed the immense pleasure, was to honour this rich heritage while infusing it with the vibrancy, comfort, and functionality of contemporary life. We created a sophisticated, modern family home that engaged in a respectful and exciting dialogue with its storied past.

Hallways in Victorian homes are often grand, connecting spaces and telling a story of passage. For this family, that story needed to include their own history. A key desire was to prominently and beautifully display cherished photographs spanning generations. This wasn’t an afterthought; it was integral to making the house feel like their home.

Designing this Westmount home was a journey in translation – translating the language of Victorian architecture into a dialect suitable for modern living. It was about respecting the soul of the house while giving it a new voice. Seeing the finished spaces, where contemporary comfort sits easily within historic grandeur, where the kitchen buzzes as the family hub, and where personal history is elegantly displayed, is incredibly rewarding.

I’m deeply grateful to the clients for their trust, their collaborative spirit, and the opportunity to work within such a remarkable piece of Montreal’s architectural heritage, right up to this moment in April 2025. The result is a home that is not trapped in the past nor dismissive of it, but rather a timeless sanctuary, perfectly attuned to the present.