McTavish Apartments, Montreal

McTavish Apartments were built in 1941 on the site of the home of the Lyman family, Thornhill Mansion. They were designed by architect Charles Grenier.

The building is now part of Montreal's McGill University and is used for academic rather than residential purposes.

The apartments feature maritime elements such as metal-railed balconies and porthole windows with embedded square panels which for ventilation.

Along the McTavish Street facade the windows facing onto the balconies use glass bricks, presumably for privacy and the setback entrance also has porthole windows with glass bricks above the door.

Inside there is a small foyer with a green and yellow gingham pattern on the floor and a pair of fantastic handrails either side of a short flight of steps leading to the central core of the building.

The main stairs for the building wind around this semi-circular stairwell.

The maritime theme reoccurs in the colourful relief on the wall in the foyer. This wonderful sight greets you as you first walk into the building. Ancient mariners accompanied by an albratros or other large seabird looked over by a horse-borne goddess. A superb design.