Sainte-Catherine Ouest! #concordia #forum #Loews #ogilvy #montreal

Quick Overview

The video documents the historical and current state of entertainment venues and retail spaces along Rue Sainte-Catherine West in Montreal, contrasting the past glory of theaters like the Loews and Palace with the present commercial landscape, which includes modern retail like Simons and the former sites of demolished venues like the Forum and York theaters.

Key Points: The speaker discusses the former Loews theater on Rue Sainte-Catherine, noting it once featured performances by Duke Ellington and screened movies like 'The High and the Mighty'. The Loews theater was demolished, and its location is now occupied by the Rogers store and the former Bell building (formerly the Paris cinema). The York theater, built in 1938, was the largest building in Canada with 21 cinemas and 855 seats, which later failed and was replaced by a modern condo building. The Forum, a massive venue with 9,300 seats, was demolished in 1997, with its site now occupied by residential condos. The CVG (CVG-Métallique) building, which housed the CVG and Granada theaters, was demolished in 1998/1999, and the site is now occupied by the Concordia University Pavilion. The speaker mentions that the Ogilvy department store, established in 1879, successfully adapted, while other retailers like Simpsons and Holt Renfrew Ogilvy continue to operate in the area. The area, historically rich in entertainment (cinemas, clubs, restaurants), has seen significant change, with many older venues being replaced by modern structures or demolished.

Context: The video is a documentary or historical exploration focusing on the evolution of entertainment and commercial architecture along Rue Sainte-Catherine West in Montreal, particularly highlighting the fate of several major historic theaters and department stores. The speaker walks the modern street, referencing historical photographs and facts about venues like the Loews, Palace, York, and Forum theaters, contrasting their past grandeur with the current urban environment featuring modern retail and residential buildings.