For today’s post I took some shots of some exterior fire escapes/staircases.
The first shot was taken at the rear of the Monument National theatre on blvd Saint-Laurent (between blvd René-Lévesque and rue Sainte-Catherine).
The Monument National is the oldest theatre still in operation within Québec. Built between 1891 and 1893. The theatre was officially opened on 24 June 1893 by the Association Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Montréal. The Monument-National was the first “monument,” as such, to celebrate the glory of the French-Canadian “nation” and this is why it was called the National Monument.
At the time, it was the largest building in Montréal and the first to have its frame built entirely of steel. For more information on the fascinating history of this great building, head on over to the Monument-National web site.
I unfortunately only took a shot of the rear, which is nowhere near as ornate as the Neo-Renaissance façade – that will be for another day, preferably at night as it looks fantastic lit.
I have though always liked the twin fire escape shaped in a V at the rear of the building – it seems to only lead as far as the third floor, so not sure how people actually escape if needed using this exit.
Although tilt-shift is normally used on shots taken from above, I thought the effect worked quite well on this image.
Rear fire escape of the Monument National theatre
ISO 100 – 11.5mm – f4.2 – 1/100 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)
Another interesting set of stairs is on the side of the grain silo #5 in the Old Port.
Grain Silo #5 Staircase
ISO 100 – 116mm – f5.6 – 1/500 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)
Just to round off the short post on staircases, here is one more taken in Old Montreal on rue Saint Pierre near the corner of rue Notre-Dame and is of the rear of the original Sun Life building.
Fire escape of the original Sun Life building
ISO 100 – 112mm – f5.6 – 1/250 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)
Thanks for stopping by. Until next time.
– Martin