This is large complex is the Police and Fire Station No 11 in Montreal but for some extremely wierd twist of Canadian logic it is now Police and Fire Station No 23. It has a large No 11 on the outside but has fallen down the hit parade of Police and Fire Stations to 23. On my hit parade it is definitely top ten.
It was designed in 1933 by Ludger Lemieux but the highlights of this building are the reliefs on the exterior walls by Joseph Guardo.
Above a side doorway there is a wonderful relief of a fireman's head surrounded by stylised representations of smoke, fire and water.
Elsewhere there are the heads of a policeman and a fireman, each on a background of radiating rays.
Then there is this trio of theives. Two in the act of the crime and one serving his sentence behind bars.
Reference: Vieux-Montreal Tour Booklet, Art Deco Montreal
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What a monumentally sized piece of architecture! They must have fitted in a VERY large number of fire and police trucks, but where are the wide doors that open to allow fast exits with lights flashing and sirens wailing?
ReplyDeleteThe low relief sculptures are lovely, particularly the two thieves going about their business. Full body portraits squashed into two very small spaces :)
Thanks for your comment Helen. The big doors are at the other end of the building. My first picture shows the side and back of the building.
ReplyDeletecertainly a massive complex, and I enjoy how you have captured many of it's details. Interesting how the detailing at the top of the spire looks to hark back to older times. Do you know if it is still used for the same purpose?
ReplyDeleteIt is still a Fire Station. This site has some more pics including the front with the doors that Helen asked about.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.imtl.org/montreal/building/Caserne-23.php
Outstanding building in an interesting working class neighborhood. Have been by this countless times and never tire of it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Q Smith. I'm sure it is one of those buildings that you see a different detail almost each time you pass.
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