Montreal In Pictures

May 26 2012

This afternoon I was fortunate to have the opportunity to visit the iconic Silo #5 as part of a Heritage Montreal organized tour. The tours (available in English and French) are running on weekends and Wednesday evenings until June 23. More information on the tours is available on the Heritage Montreal website.

The tour lasted 90 minutes and provides access to the outside of Silo #5 (normally restricted) as well as the ground floor of grain elevator B – the oldest building of the Silo #5 complex that was designed by John S. Metcalfe and built between 1903 and 1906. Later additions were made in 1913, 1924 and 1958 forming the 1 mile long building we can see today.

Being the last original grain Silo in Montreal, many would like to see the building preserved and become an attraction of some kind. Others believe it to be an eye sore and would like to see it bulldozed…I am firmly on the side of keeping this historic monument and would love to see part of it made into a museum. Although we didn’t get to visit the upper floors, the view I hear is amazing – would be a great location for a restaurant or bar.

I took way too many pictures, and with my friend having lent me his DSLR (while I attempt to fix mine or buy a replacement), I was able to do a few HDR’s from inside the elevator.

Inside Silo #5

Anyone who has visited the old port in Montreal could not miss the massive rusting structure to the west of the port on Pointe du Moulin. Here are a couple of establishing shots to give an idea of the scale of the complex for those who have not had the pleasure of visiting Montreal.

Silo #5 grain elevator

At the rear of the Silo is a long covered conveyor that used to transport grain to a brewery malter and flour mill to the west of the Silo.

Silo #5 Elevated grain conveyor

Also at the rear, running alongside the port are 2 rolling elevators that run on rail tracks and were used to fill ships. By the mid-20th Century, Montreal had become the largest grain exporter in the world.

Rolling elevator

The buildings are all in a state of decay and will no doubt require a huge investment should they ever decide to convert them and give a new lease of life to the site.

Montreal’s Silo #5 grain elevator

It was great to finally get to see the Silo #5 up close, but I would still like to have the opportunity to go shoot some HDR of the upper floors and the elevated grain conveyors…

To view images in gallery format, simply click on one of the images below.