Griffintown
Modern, trendy, with a rich history
Griffintown, a former industrial neighborhood, is the latest stylish district to emerge along the Lachine Canal.
The neighborhood was established in the early 1800’s and was inhabited mostly by Irish immigrants who worked either on the construction of the Lachine Canal, the Victoria bridge, the railway, or in local factories. In the 1950s, the Lachine Canal, a key part of Griffintown’s economic activity lost its transportation and commercial purpose with the construction of the St.-Lawrence Seaway. This caused a major decrease of the population, leaving the area to become a blend of industries, parking lots and abandoned, unkept houses remaining by the end of the 20th century.
Since the beginning of the 21st century, the neighborhood has been going through an intense gentrification process. Luxury condo projects are overtaking the area, promising to revive it while keeping its spirit alive. The combination of modern real estate and office space has attracted a large community of young, creative professionals to the area. It seems like every week, a new trendy café, restaurant or art display opens on Notre-Dame street. Restaurants like Griffintown Cafe, Le Richmond, Nora Gray, and Grinder all top the lists of local food connoisseurs.
The Lachine Canal is a great spot to have a picnic or get some exercise on the biking and running paths. The neighborhood location couldn’t be better located to easily access areas like downtown and Old Montreal, which are a short walk or bike ride away.
