Royal Westmount – easy elegance in the heart of Westmount

The elegant Royal Westmount lobby is reminiscent of a fine hotel

Family owned and operated businesses are something of a rarity in today’s economy, often dominated by large corporations. However, there are exceptions, and the Royal Westmount continues to be owned and managed by the same extended family that built this iconic Westmount luxury apartment building. Better known as ‘250’, the building at the corner of Clarke and Ste. Catherine Street has been a favourite Westmount address since it was built in 1965.

Located just a two blocks from tony Greene Avenue and Westmount Square, the Royal Westmount has a spacious and elegantly appointed lobby with marble floors, immense crystal chandeliers, and well appointed lounges on either side of the grand entrance hall. Warren Dick, the General Manager and a member of the original builder’s family maintains the same mission statement that he adopted when he took on management of the Royal Westmount 37 years ago; “To remain the finest residential apartment building in the Montreal area.” He adds: “We offer unparalleled service and cleanliness. When a tenant calls with an issue, we tend to it immediately. I am available at all times.”

250 Clarke is a Westmount tradition

The pride of family ownership and operation is evident in the attention to detail and maintenance. $millions have been invested to replace windows and upgrade and the balconies. The lobby and lounges were recently renovated under the direction of decorator Norma Singerman, complimented by Warren for capturing the Royal Westmount signature; Easy Elegance in the Heart of Westmount.

I’ve spoken with people who have made Royal Westmount their home, and they are appreciative of the owner’s high standards of maintenance of the building and surrounding gardens, ponds, fountains and mature trees. The grounds and gardens have won awards from the cities of Westmount and Montreal.

The rooftop pool has panoamic views of the city

Each apartment has individual air conditioning, and all of the exterior balconies have recently been renovated. To ensure tenant comfort and safety, the building is equipped with its own generator so that basic electrical functions can be maintained during a blackout. The manager’s office is decorated with letters of thanks from tenants who weathered the Ice Storm in relative comfort.

Rising twelve stories above the mostly residential surrounding neighbourhood, Royal Westmount has 196 apartments of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom configurations; with respective rates of $1,500, $2,500 and $4,500. The spacious 3 bedroom units have separate living and dining rooms, large eat-in kitchens and 3 bathrooms; making them equal in size to a bungalow. The indoor rooftop pool is popular with many health conscious tenants.

Most employees have worked at the Royal Westmount for between 10 and 15 years, and one maintenance technician has been employed by the family owners for 40 years. Warren’s assistant, Donna Morency has managed the office for fifteen years, and maintains a friendly relationship with the tenants and their families. She and her husband Raymond, the building’s superintendant, live on site and ensure that there is always someone available for the tenants. In the years that I have visited people who make their home at Royal Westmount, they express the view that they are part of a community.

The apartments and overall building is of such high quality that real estate super-agent Tatiana Londono has been working with the Royal Westmount for several years. She recommends the building to her affluent clients who seek a rental option after she has sold their homes. Freedom from monthly condominium fees, property taxes and timely service when required have many Montrealers considering the rental option – made even more attractive in a family-owned building like Royal Westmount.

Royal Westmount is located at 250 Clarke in Westmount, at the corner of Ste-Catherine. For more information or to arrange for a visit; please call: 514-937-5357 or 514-937-4783 (evenings)