3700 Saint-Patrick

Built in 1923 by Congoleum Canada, Ltd., Aberton Lofts is one of just a few large, intact structures on this stretch of the Lachine Canal to be recognized as a building of heritage and architectural interest by the Ville de Montréal.

For several decades Congoleum manufactured flooring here, jute flooring made strong and impermeable by adding asphalt from the Congo. The huge, very tall water tower behind the building is original to Congoleum and is one of the last water towers on the banks of the Lachine Canal.

The Kaufmans

Mark Kaufman started in textile recycling in 1969 when he was just 22 years old. His brother Howard joined Mark six years later.  As their business grew so too did their need for space – by 1985 they were working out of three different buildings. So in 1986, the Kaufman brothers bought 3700 Saint-Patrick to fit their operation under one roof. With the extra space this property provided they were able to start another company, Wipeco Industries, which has grown to be the largest wiper company in Quebec.

In 2010, Mark and his son Philip, looking for a new vocation to take the building into its second century, began to convert the building’s warehouse and space to New York style commercial lofts – the Aberton Lofts.