Exterior Wall Renovation for Saint Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church of Montreal
Phase I
2019/2020 – Cathedral’s Exterior Masonry Walls Restoration Project
In 2019 a thorough architectural study has identified that the
masonry and other exterior walls’ elements required immediate
repairs mainly in the bell tower area:
A project was defined to identify the exact condition of the outside
walls’ masonry structure, stones and precast elements such as
cornices, window and door frames.
A preliminary inspection of the entire building done on
November 15, 2018 by Beaupré-Michaud Architects and
Alex Maçonnerie had already initiated the project.
On March 15, 2019 a consecutive in-depth inspection of the entire building’s exterior envelope has been processed by the same professionals, a report issued to identify the urgency, phasing and budgeting of the needed repairs by priority order:
Phase 1 was to address the immediate restoration of the bell tower exterior walls and roof as well as some repairs to the presbytery door wall.
The 4 future Phases will be planned to address the repairs on the remaining façades.
(Beaupré-Michaud Arch.: 8,623.14$, Alex Maçonnerie: 2,612.70$)
On May 23, 2019 a tender package (plans & specifications) has
been issued by Beaupré-Michaud Arch. to invite
5 specialized masonry contractors.
On May 29, 2019 construction permits
have been requested/issued (2,829.05$)
On June 7, 2019 three bids have been officially submitted by:
Alex Maçonnerie, Maçonnerie Rainville Frères, Maçonnerie
Expertise Robert Hardy and opened in front
of PC Chair.A.Sirinyan, Rev.Fath.D.Margaryan and the Architect.
On July 3, 2019 the contract has been negotiated and awarded to the lowest bidder Maçonnerie Robert Hardy with a bonifyed scope of work and improved schedule.
Work started on July 15, 2019 and was substantially completed on December 2019 (Certificate of completion issued by the Arch.).
Weekly construction meetings have been held on site during construction with the architect, the contractor and 2 Construction Committee representatives to supervise/authorize the contract completion within budget, including extra work due to unforeseen site conditions.
(Baupré-Michaud Arch.: 18,244.05$, Maçonnerie R.Hardy: 199,481.63$)
The bell tower’s interior structural brick wall showed
major cracks and failures, once the exterior stones removed
during construction, confirmed with a structural inspection
by Steven Unsworth Ing.
Consequently on October 1, 2019 a contract was given to the
engineer (plans & specs) and the contractor to reinforce the
upper part of the bell tower by adding an inner steel and
concrete structure anchored in the existing brick wall. Work
was completed on January 14, 2020
(Certificates of completion issued by Arch.& Eng.)
Telus collaborated graciously to reinstall equipments accordingly in rented tower.
(Baupré-Michaud Arch.: 0.00$, Maçonnerie R.Hardy & S.Unsworth Ing.: 45,990.00$)
On June 1, 2020 the Cathedral’s main entrance masonry door/wall restoration and
all restored stone walls protection with a laboratory specified sealer was completed.
(Baupré-Michaud Arch: 0.00$, Maconnerie R.Hardy: 4,000$)