427-429, rue St. Vincent
This three floor house as well as its neighbor was built in 1785 by Edward William Gray, one of the first civilian British to settle in Montreal. Being a merchant, he was also Sheriff Deputy, grand provost, notary, lawyer, justice of the peace and station master. This house along with the building of the 437 would be the only commercial buildings dating from the 18th century. Gray lived the largest building while the smallest served as a warehouse. The exterior of these two witnesses of the past suffered almost no change. In 1810, E.W. Gray died and his wife kept the house until 1825. Then a nephew and partner, Frederick William Ermatinger who was also Sheriff, became owner for two years.
Séraphino Giraldi, hotelkeeper and shopkeeper, bought it in 1828. It was then used as a small barrack, and after the construction of the law courts on Notre Dame Street, the tenants were rather men of law. One of them was the famous George-Étienne Cartier. Giraldi died in 1869, due to debts not paid, the Jacques-Cartier Bank became the owner of the building.
A printer, Adjuteur Carmel, rented the place in 1880 then purchased it later. He and his family staided there until 1919. A doctor followed, Stephen Langevin, in 1954. He also made different changes among them the slope roof which was changed to aflat roof. Then restaurants and breweries occupied the house. Bernard Beaudoin became owner of it in 1954 and his estate kept the building until 1970. A fire damaged the building in 1968 and Mr. Beaudoin restored it giving it its original appearance.
In 1969, the building was classified an historic monument.
