The Popliger

The Popliger Building at 3548-3564 was originally constructed by a wealthy Jew in 1909 to provide housing for the many needy Jewish immigrants who were arriving in Montreal at that time. The owner proudly inscribed his name as well as the date in both Arabic and Hebrew numbers on a commemorative plaque set into the center parapet of the building. It is assumed that a lot of the stonework for this building was cut by Jewish tombstone merchants who were located nearby on Saint Lawrence Boulevard. The impression of symmetry is strong despite the interesting differences between the two sides of the facade. This is probably due to the strong curves in the building which are a Baroque influence. A striving for grandeur and a concern for respectability is transmitted by the exuberance of the building's facade. Purchased by a co-ownership group in 1980, its rehabilitation won the 1982 Crédit Foncier/Heritage Canada Award. The developer of this building was Norman Spatz, now teaching in the English department of the cégep. The building has been transformed into pleasant and reasonably priced condominium units.

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