The latin root of seduction is seducere, meaning to lead astray. Thus seduction is not a destination or an end, it is a game of continuous movement, a strategy of displacement. Seduction is a force which pulls you unwillinglly, promising to show you something new in something you have seen a thousand times. That which seduces us is never overt, it never proclaims its greatness and often lingers in the corner our eye, waiting patiently to be discovered.

With that in mind I have narrowed my potential site boundaries to that of Centre-Sud in Montreal (although of course seduction sometimes plays outside the boundaries) an area that lies directly adjacent to, but just on the periphery of downtown. It is a neighborhood that offers unexpected surprises and hidden treasures, and despite its somewhat downtrodden appearance is characterised by an overwhelming sense of pride and joie de vivre.

History

Centre-Sud is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Montreal, its location the result of a large public market and the Molson Breweries. As Molson expanded its activities, many residents and industries were drawn to the area creating a densely populated predominately working class neighborhood. Industries related to food, alcohol, leather, clothes and tobacco created less than ideal conditions in the neighborhood, and it became known as the "Faubourg 'a m'lasse...". Centre-Sud reached its peak population around 1940 of 100,000 residents, but has dramatically decreased since. A decline in the area began with the exodus of many of the industries and therefore many of the jobs to outlying areas and industrial parks, leaving the neighborhood in poverty. A further blow to the area occured in 1960 with the demolition of nearly 750 houses south of Rene-Levesque, by the city of Montreal to make way for the CBC building.In recent years the neighborhood has been gradually repairing itself, renovating buildings and turning the old factories into cultural centers and residential lofts.

Site

The specific site I have chosen is located on Ontario St. between Montcalm and Beaudry and is presently occupied by a humble one story bulding, surrounded on either side by three storey buildings. It was originally built in 1880 and contruction consists of stone walls with timber beams, although the street elevation is mostly storefront windows with plywood covering the old walls. The dimensions of the building are approximately 32 ft. by 57 ft. with a ground floor and basement.It is presently owned by Inter-Loge Centre-Sud who are looking at the possibility of renovating the building.