Grey Nuns Motherhouse
| Grey Nuns Motherhouse | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | 1190 Guy Street, Quartier Concordia |
| Coordinates | 45°29′36″N 73°34′36″W / 45.493445°N 73.576701°WCoordinates: 45°29′36″N 73°34′36″W / 45.493445°N 73.576701°W |
| Area | Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Built | 1871 |
| Built for | Grey Nuns |
| Architectural style(s) | Neoclassical and Romanesque Revival |
| Owner | Concordia University |
Invalid designation | |
| Official name: National Historic Sites of Canada | |
| Designated | 2011 |
Grey Nuns Motherhouse, now known as the Grey Nuns Building, is a former motherhouse of the Grey Nuns located at 1190 Guy Street, in the Borough of Ville-Marie, Montréal, Quebec, Canada. It is also named Grey Nuns Hospital of Montréal (not to be confused with Grey Nuns' Hospital located south of Place d'Youville). The building was completed in 1871.[1]
In 2007, it was bought by Concordia University and refurbished. It now serves as co-ed housing for 598 undergraduate students on the Sir George Williams Campus within the neighbourhood redevelopment project Quartier Concordia.[2]
In 2010, Mother Marie-Marguerite d'Youville's remains were removed and relocated to her 1701 birthplace of Varennes, a community on the South Shore.[2]
In 2011, it was designated one of the National Historic Sites of Canada.
Description
The site is rectangular, bordered by Rene Levesque Boulevard at the south, Guy Street at the east, St. Catherine Street at the north, and Saint Mathieu at the west. It is enclosed with stone walls and metal fencing. Within this area are a main, large, H-shaped building of stone construction, various smaller buildings, and grounds containing numerous trees, gardens, statues, and pathways.
The architectural style is a superb example of convent architecture of the 19th century. This is achieved by combining Neoclassical and Romanesque Revival styles.
The main building has an H-shape, is large, and of stone construction. It is 4 stories tall, with the exception of the west wing, which is 5 stories tall. Its central part is rectangular and contains a chapel with an octagonal tower and spire. The windows and dormers are regularly placed.
Construction
Individuals involved in the design and construction include:
- Alcibiade Leporhon, architect
- Joseph Venne, architect
- Victor Bourgeau, architect
- Maurice Perrault and Albert Ménard, architect
- Alphonse Piché, architect
- Maurice Payette, architect
- Albert Deschamps, engineer
As a Concordia student residence
Now called the Grey Nuns Building by Concordia University, the site has become a student residence. In 2007, it was bought by Concordia for $18 million and refurbished for $15 million. The university initially announced that it would become the faculty of fine arts, but later decided to turn the site into residences. It serves as co-ed housing for 598 undergraduate students on the Sir George Williams Campus within the neighbourhood redevelopment project Quartier Concordia. The entire site is owned by Concordia except for a basement crypt. There, approximately 300 nuns are buried.[2]
The main entrance that was once on St-Mathieu Street is now located on Guy Street. The renovations undertaken have made space available for 355 new beds for resident students. There is a total of nearly 600 residence beds. The chapel has become a reading room that can accommodate 230 students. There are 14 group study rooms, a daycare facility, and a cafeteria area allowing resident students the choice of preparing meals.[3]
Gallery
References
- ↑ http://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/dfhd/page_nhs_eng.aspx?id=13051
- 1 2 3 http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Concordia+revamp+Grey+Nuns+Mother+House+tour+force/10115753/story.html
- ↑ http://www.concordia.ca/content/dam/concordia/images/news-releases/T15-21068-SERV-Grey%20Nuns%20Unveiling-Design-Brochure-v13-FINAL-Web-EN.pdf
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Grey Nuns Motherhouse. |
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