Where We Live - Photolog of the Week - Nuns' Island: Fouad and Nadia Kronfol

Credit: Andrei I. Gere

When we were based in Hanoi, we started to think about a retirement place. While I was at UNICEF HQ in March 1982, Nadia went ahead to Montreal to visit her brother and look around. She called me to say that she found some interesting apartments in Nuns' Island. I thought she was kidding me about the name and laughed because it reminded me of the first limerick I learned:

"There was a monk from Siberia;
Whose character was truly inferior:
He did to a Nun ,
What none should have done,
And she became Mother Superior !"

I joined her a few days later and found that yes, such a place did exist, the apartment was great and we concluded the purchase in 48 hours before returning to Hanoi. In a few months it will be 40 years that we have had the condo, although we have actually lived in it only since September 1995.

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This is the cover of a book about our island, better known by its official French name, L'ile des Soeurs (IDS). The history of this island goes back to the early days of French colonisation in Canada and includes a period when it was ceded to an order of nuns, Les Soeurs Grises, who started a farming project and gradually developed their presence. 

In the 1960's as Montreal was booming with big projects like the metro, the Champlain bridge across the St. Lawrence river, the preparations for EXPO 67, etc. the island started attracting developers who saw a big future for this real estate that was so close to downtown Montreal. 

 The Nuns finally sold the island for $1.3 million and left the place which quickly saw major construction of apartments and other facilities, turning it into a "bedroom community" for people working in the centre of Montreal. Over time the status of the island changed many times until it was finally merged with the municipality of Verdun, on the opposite (northwestern) side of the Lachine canal which separates the island from the "mainland", the island of Montreal.

This stylized map shows the entire island as it has become in recent times. At its northern end it is linked both to downtown Montreal by two highways, and to the South Shore by the Champlain bridge. The latter was built in the 1960's in the runup to EXPO 67 and became the busiest bridge in Canada, so much so that its structure deteriorated and it was decided to knock it down and to build a new bridge across the St. Lawrence river. Thus we now have a new and modern crossing, the Samuel de Champlain bridge to the South Shore. It is being fitted for a fast electric train that will come into operation in 2024 and will have a stop on our island.

When we came here in 1995 there were less than 8,000 inhabitants, a third of the island was a natural forest, an 18-hole golf course was available and we could drive to centre of Montreal in five minutes. Today there are at least 25,000 residents, the golf course has changed location and is now only 9 holes, the forest is almost completely gone, the Bell company has set up its 5,000 staff HQ in the northern section of the island, the number of highrise condo buildings is starting to rival downtown Montreal. In many ways, we can compare it to Roosevelt Island in Manhattan, for those who know New York. 

This is a far cry from the "Utopian " residential area that the eminent architect Mies van der Rohe had envisaged when he was among those planning the future of IDS. But, some call it progress !!

This is the sign which is on the main road, Berlioz, leading to our building.We are located in between two cul-de-sacs,the streets Ferland and O'Reilly.At the end of the latter we have a small park next to the St. Lawrence river, a quiet place very popular with dog owners of the neighbourhood. On the map above we are located next to the little green triangle in the middle right side of the island.

Here we see the facade of our building, also named Le Champlain. It was one of the first highrises on the IDS and was completed at end 1980.We are in the right hand corner condo on the tenth floor with vistas in three directions; southwest to the St. Lawrence river, north west to the forest and north to the entire city of Montreal.We can actually see the whole city from the Oratoire St. Joseph, the biggest church of the city, to the leaning tower of the Olympic stadium on the eastern side.Talk about a "condo with a view"....!! Among our modest amenities are an outdoor swimming pool, two tennis courts a small gym, and having only four apartments per floor.

We are fortunate to have nearby and within walking distance a small commercial center which includes two large super markets, the one in this picture is the IGA where many of the residents do their shopping. A large parking space extends from the IGA to the other supermarket Provigo, or Loblaws.The centre also has five banks, a few eateries, laundry, two pharmacies, a small post office, a UPS centre, a couple of medical facilities (clinics) and various other shops, basically making us quite self-sufficient for most of our needs.

This is the Campanile which stands in between the two areas of the shopping centre. It is a landmark in many ways and houses various commercial shops and offices.

This is where I play tennis twice a week during the winter indoor season. It is five minutes from our condo and has the largest membership in Quebec. In fact they claim that with their twenty courts, including six that are clay, this is the largest indoor tennis establishment in the Americas. It also has a very complete gym and a small restaurant.

This is one of two small "lakes" on the island which is part of a park,."Lacoursiere" where we often take walks.It is next to two large condo buildings on one side and is across the road from the Tennis Club. Usually there are two fountains in the middle which refresh the waters (not on in this photo). Swans, ducks and many varieties of birds are frequently seen in and around the waters.

Our Verdun municipality has dedicated a piece of land for community gardening. All citizens can rent a small plot and grow whatever they want, for a nominal fee. Some of our neighbours in the condo have a "potagere" where they grow vegetables and so we are often treated to freshly picked greenery and other vegetables. A nice treat ! The photo shows the closure of the gardens and the lovely flowers growing at its edge.

Here we have the other "lake" of the island, Lac des Battures. It is much larger than the other lake and used to be in the centre of the natural forest which covered about one third of the island a few years ago. Much of the forest has gone the way of "urban development", but the few trees that are still there surround the lake. It is noted that this area was once one of the important stop overs for migratory birds going to the south in winter and a great draw for ornithologists.

When the old golf course was taken over for construction of housing, a very wealthy developer agreed with the municipality to make a new one on the southern part of the island. Much of this area was in fact added to the island in the 1960's as land fill. It was considered to have toxic materials, so the developer had to cover the entire course with a one meter deep layer of new soil; it is estimated that 26,000 truck loads of soil were added to make the new nine hole golf course. The photo shows the modern club house which has two restaurants and a bar, but for members only !!!

This is a view from the golf course towards a series of high rise condos in the distance. Next to the golf club is a very fancy Scandinavian Spa, the Strom, where all kinds of treatments and exercises can be had on a day basis.

As the Island became more popular developers started building single family homes for the more affluent clients like hockey players, CEO's etc. This photo shows a row of what we called the "million Dollar mansions" , except that nowadays they are going for more than a couple of million dollars !!

Here is the social and cultural "hub" of the Island. One can see the small park/playground for kids, the back of the public library, adjacent to which is the first primary school, and the community centre where all kinds of activities are available.

Our island, like the larger urban agglomeration of Montreal has become increasingly bicycle friendly. On IDS there are many lanes devoted exclusively to cycling. So naturally , we also have two stands of "Bixie" bicycles that people can rent for a nominal fee. To note that the building behind the bikes is the IDS church, which also serves as a place for concerts and other cultural activities. In the next photo one can see the continuation of this structure.

One very great example of the island's cultural and religious diversity and accommodation is this little corner of the community centre where we have a Catholic church (not quite visible, but it is to the left of the photo) next to which is a synagogue, and over to its right (the yellow door) a mosque. Thus all worshippers of the three religions have a place to congregate and to worship in their faith..

This is one of our better dining places and one of our favourites, the Socca restaurant, which offers a Mediterranean menu, and has one of the more popular bars for drinks. Its food is of good quality served in an atmosphere of casual chic.

Next to the primary school is one of the two public swimming pools run by the municipality of IDS. All island residents can use these two facilities during the summer months and they are especially attractive for families with children. Student life guards are on duty at all times when the pools are open. We are fortunate to have our own pool at the condo, so have not made use of these public pools.

Here we can see a part of the IDS's first primary school which was attended by over 1,000 students. As the island population grew the government built a few years ago a second primary school which is located across the park in front of our building. There is now a plan to build a third institution that will accommodate students up to high school. Its location has not yet been determined.

This is heritage landmark...it is a gas station designed and constructed by Mies van der Rohe, the world famous architect, in the early days of the IDS' development. Until a few years ago it was one of two ESSO stations that we used regularly since it is a few meters from our condo. Public pressure from conservationalist resulted in the Verdun municipality declaring this structure a protected heritage site. The gas station was closed, the building was refurbished and it is now an extension of our Community Centre where different activities are organized such as yoga classes, language studies, billiards etc...it is to be noted that van der Rohe also designed two other structures which are 15 story apartment buildings on the IDS.

Here is a section of the Parc Lacoursiere which we like very much. It is by the water of the small lake and has a large number of beautiful weeping willow trees. A great place to relax and enjoy nature peacefully.

 Another view of the park from a small bridge that overlooks the water streaming into the lake.

Photo 181909: This is what I call "easy living".!..the two red chairs are often our destination after a long walk around the island. It is an ideal place to observe nature with its trees, flowers, animals and tranquility.

These photos , taken from our apartment, show the three different views that we are afforded. This shows the overall view of Montreal city which is to the north of our island. Though it is not very clear one can see the city from it western to its eastern ends..including the highrises of downtown city centre.

Looking towards the southern tip of the IDS we can see the high rise condos that came up where there was the earlier natural forest. Fortunately, while much of the forest has disappeared, the island has grown a large number of trees all over its main residential sectors so that we can still have the feeling of a "country-side" living.

 From our TV room we have this view towards the "South Shore" where the municipalities of Longueiul, and Brossard have grown up. Next to our building is the "Pyramid" condo which was built a couple of years before ours and where we almost ended up getting an apartment. It is an interesting structure and is famous for the enormous verandas that most of its apartments have. The pool on the left is our pool, which is adjacent to the pool of the Pyramid.

I hope we have managed to give the reader an idea about this special residential area and some of its features. By the way, two other XUNICEF members, Fritz Lherisson and Leo Goulet live a few hundred meters from our building.

As we say in Quebec, "Bienvenue a L'Ile des Soeurs"....we hope you will visit us sometime.

Fouad