Beloved Pointe-Claire Bar Likely to Be Sold to Make Way for Condos

Global News reports that historic Pointe-Claire bar the Pioneer (Le Pionnier) is in the process of being sold, with a new owner plotting to demolish the barn-like structure to build condos.

According to Global’s report, owner Diane Marois did not give many details, but did confirm that the building is being sold, although that sale isn’t final. But that didn’t stop what appears to be the new owner and developer, Deakin Realty, from taking to Facebook to tout its potential new wares, asking “Have you ever dreamed of luxury condo living in the heart of Pointe-Claire Village?”

Given the bar’s hub-like status in the lakefront area, as a bar, restaurant, and salle de spectacles, the answer to that question appears to be “no”: that post drew a stream of relatively negative comments about the proposed project, a building of 15 condos with underground parking, and commercial storefronts on the ground level.

The building has stood on Lakeshore Boulevard near the waterfront since the early 1900s, and reportedly has heritage status, according to the city’s historical society. It has gone through various iterations — it became Pioneer about four decades ago, although with an extended in-between period as Clyde’s, before the Pioneer name was resurrected in 2011.

At present, Pioneer remains open.

• Pointe-Claire’s iconic Pioneer may soon be sold, turned into condos [Global News]