Streets

A memorable image of Montreal's residential streets built on the Plateau Mont-Royal is the myriad exterior staircases, usually curved, leading from ground level to second-floor balconies or galleries from which the upper dwellings can be accessed via inside stairs. These rows of brightly colored and ornate external staircases and balconies, usually with wrought-iron railings, create unique and picturesque streetscapes. Not only do the open staircases feel safer than unsupervised internal ones, but in addition, they contribute to the particular animation of Montreal's streets (Gazette, 1 August 1998, H6).

The south side of this narrow street is part of a city block stretching to St. Paul Street and containing several historic buildings recently restored as dwellings, office, shops, galleries and a restaurant (Schoenauer: 1967).