Steel & Sunlight: A Penthouse Above the Canal in Little Burgundy

Rising proudly along the gentle bend of the Lachine Canal, in the heart of Montreal’s Little-Burgundy neighbourhood, the former Steel Company of Canada warehouse has quietly shed its industrial skin to become one of the city’s most characterful residential enclaves.

Today, as part of Les Cours Charlevoix, it presents a striking study in adaptive reuse — a celebration of brick, steel, and sunlight, where the past is folded gently into the present. 

Among the building’s standout residences is Penthouse 302, a two-storey home marked by its spacious layout and abundant natural light. Built in 1910 to serve the Montreal Rolling Mills Co. — a key player in Canada’s early steel industry and later part of Stelco — the building retains its original industrial character. What was once designed for utility and production now accommodates the quiet comforts of domestic life. 

The apartment spans over 1,300 square feet, connected by a sculptural spiral staircase that acts as both architectural gesture and spatial anchor. On the lower level, ceilings soar to twelve feet, framing two generous bedrooms, a versatile den or office, and a spacious bath, separate shower, and soaking tub. Elevator access is available directly to this level through the building’s interior hallway. 

Upstairs, the atmosphere shifts from intimate to expansive. Ten-foot ceilings crown an open-concept kitchen, dining, and living area — an elegant volume finished with radiant-heated concrete floors and a decorative fireplace that gestures toward the building’s industrial legacy. Full-height windows frame morning views over the canal and glowing sunsets across the city skyline. A private balcony, measuring sixteen by six feet, extends the living space outdoors, offering an elevated perch above the water and gardens below. 

Thoughtful details elevate everyday experience: two indoor garage parking spaces, a 16-by-10-foot storage room, and high-end appliances including Jenn-Air kitchen suite and Cavavin wine fridge. Central air conditioning, intercom system, and custom window treatments throughout add to the sense of easy, refined living. The building itself has been remarkably well maintained, with a robust history of improvements to both private and common areas. Residents benefit from shared amenities such as private landscaped gardens, complete with a fountain and seating, and direct access to the waterfront path. 

And the location is as connected as it is peaceful. From the front door, one can stroll to the Atwater Market, Notre-Dame Street, or the Charlevoix and Lionel-Groulx metro stations. The surrounding blocks hum with local cafés, acclaimed restaurants, parks, schools, and bike paths. Despite this connectivity, the building sits on a quiet one-way street, preserving a sense of calm amid the city’s energy. 

In a city where heritage buildings often stand as monuments to what was, Les Cours Charlevoix is something rarer: a living, breathing continuation. Penthouse 302 doesn’t just honour the building’s industrial origins — it elevates them, offering a residence as enduring and eloquent as the architecture that holds it.

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