One of the buildings I’ve been meaning to cover for a while, and one that’s come in as a suggestion to feature is the Paramount Apartments on Ouellette just south of Gilles.
This building has always kind of reminded me of the demolished Madison Lenox in Detroit. Two wings connected by a small little central building.
The cornerstone on the northern section reads DB & M, 1924. I’m not sure the meaning of DB & M. Perhaps the builders?
The 1937 Fire Map, shows the buildings listed with tow separate names. The northern building is the Duke of York apartments, while the smaller southern building is the Amberley. The 1958 phone book lists a number for the Duke of York apartments on Ouellette.
Despite the uniform look, it was two (maybe still is?) separate buildings. I’m not sure where and when the Paramount name came into effect. It has no relationship to the movie houses, and I can only assume the middle building was once a retail space.
Anyone with any memories of the history of the place?
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Back in the 60’s I seem to recall the Paramount was a “beauty salon” for women.
Ouellette has some fantastic apartments. Many could and should be refurbished to their former glory. This one as well. Though run down a bit I love how they are still in original shape.
I also remember it as a hair salon for sometime.
A friend of mine used to live in the DoY side. Very original interiors, but rediculously small. I’m not sure if they’re all like that though.
One thing i remember…oddly, is for years there was a cartoon picture of a guys head and he’s smoking a pipe. “Bob Das” I think he was called lol.
Wasn’t the beauty salon still there into the 90’s?
You’re right – there was a beauty parlor. My mother took me there for a Tonette (permanent) in the early 1950’s – probably was 1953 or 1954.
I Believe you mean J.R. Bob Dobbs:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._R._%22Bob%22_Dobbs
robert the beauty parlour you mentioned was called the powder puff
i live up giles from this apartment today it’s just a slum who ever owns it now only cares about rent money not quality
I’ve heard that the salon was called the ‘Powder Puff’ (?)
I have lived in that building the owner has let the building go won’t do nothing too remodel the place or removed the unwanted bugs that has taken over the building it’s infested with cockroaches and bedbuggs. not so much in the other building by the resthome there that was old Vicount. but the one close too parking lot on other side. is the building that is bad. And has been alot of violence in that building cause of lack of proper security.