Cedar Park

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

A West Island cultural treasure went up in flames last week. A mysterious fire destroyed the former Kirkland residence of renowned Quebec artist Charles Daudelin, just months after the property received heritage protection.

Local firefighters battled the intense blaze for five hours at the Cedar Park neighbourhood property, with about 40 personnel on scene. The fire left only a twisted metal frame of what was once considered one of Kirkland’s most architecturally significant homes.

The property, located off Brunswick Boulevard, had been at the centre of a preservation battle after its owners sought demolition permits in October 2022. That demolition attempt prompted swift intervention from Quebec’s Culture Ministry, leading to heritage status designation in March 2023. The property’s most recent municipal evaluation placed its value at just over $2 million.

The president of Docomomo Québec, an organization dedicated to protecting historical architecture, expressed dismay at the loss. Francine Vanlaethem noted that municipalities should recognize the significance of preserving artists’ homes, suggesting the site could have been better showcased for its historical value.

Built in 1951, the distinctive cedar-clad structure with its modernist design stood out among Kirkland’s residential landscape. For half a century, it served as both home and studio to Daudelin, whose artistic influence spread far beyond the West Island. While many of his public works enhance Montreal’s urban landscape, including pieces at Place des Arts and the Montreal courthouse, his Kirkland studio remained his creative sanctuary until his death in 2001.

Heritage documents reveal the property’s architectural significance extended beyond its famous resident. The innovative design featured carefully planned interior spaces and large windows that blended indoor and outdoor creative areas. The standalone studio, also destroyed in the fire, had been specifically designed to evolve with Daudelin’s artistic journey.

According to Montreal fire department spokesperson Émilie Barbeau-Charlebois, while the investigation continues, preliminary findings show no signs of criminal activity. The timing, however, has raised concerns among preservation groups, given the property’s recent history.

Culture Minister Mathieu Lacombe’s office is maintaining close contact with Kirkland authorities as the situation develops. The Department of Culture and Communications had been actively working with property owners on preservation and expansion plans before the fire.

Heritage Montreal warns this incident highlights broader concerns about protecting cultural landmarks. The organization points to recent fires in Old Montreal as evidence of the urgent need for stronger preventive measures to safeguard both historic and modern architectural treasures.

Born in Granby in 1920, Daudelin moved to Montreal as a teenager to pursue his artistic studies. His diverse career encompassed painting, sculpting, goldsmithing, and ceramics. His public works can be found in prominent locations across Canada and internationally, including the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, Charlottetown’s legislature, and Place du Québec in Paris. His contributions to Quebec culture earned him recognition as a grand officer of the Order of Quebec in 1998.

Since receiving heritage status, the property had been under the guidance of the Department of Culture and Communications for preservation efforts. Despite these measures, only charred remains now stand where this significant piece of Quebec’s cultural heritage once stood.

Vanlaethem raises the critical question of responsibility, emphasizing that heritage property owners must play a crucial role in preservation efforts. As investigators continue their work, the loss serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing heritage preservation in Montreal’s suburbs. n