The “Jailspot” is the name given by graffiti writers and urban explorers to two contiguous abandoned buildings on Henri-Bourassa at the level of the now closed Tanguay prison. These buildings were not actually part of the closed prison, they belonged to Transport Québec who once used them as hangars for heavy machinery. They appear to have been used in the recent past as offices and warehouse space. The westernmost of the two is older than the other one which seems to have been built around 2006-2007. For the following years the latter new construction was used for sporadic warehouse sales.
Business must not have been very good, the buildings were left unused as early as 2011-2012 and signs of graffiti action started appearing, first outside, then inside. Within a few years the two buildings were completely taken over by explorers and writers/artists. Everything except the warehouse at the front of the easternmost building quickly deteriorated, through the combined actions of vandals and rain/snow through broken doors and windows as well as collapsed roofs. The two buildings were finally gradually demolished over the spring and summer of 2016.
If you have any additional information about this spot, feel free to write in and contribute to this article.
The gallery below is divided by rooms and other areas where artists left their mark. The names of the rooms are not official ones, I just came up with them for comprehensive purposes. A plan of the spot can be seen below, at the top of the gallery.
Le “Jailspot” est le nom donné par les graffeurs et explorateurs urbains à deux édifices voisins sur Henri-Bourassa devant l’ancienne prison Tanguay. Ces deux édifices ne font en fait pas partie de l’ancienne prison, ils appartenaient à Transport Québec et ont déjà servi de hangars pour de la machinerie lourde. Ils semblent avoir ensuite servi de bureaux et d’entrepôts au cours des années précédant leur abandon. Celui situé le plus à l’ouest semble dater d’avant l’autre qui a été construit vers 2006-2007. Au cours des années qui ont suivi sa construction ce dernier a été le lieu de ventes d’entrepôt.
Les affaires n’ont pas dû être très profitables, déjà vers 2011-2012 les édifices n’étaient plus utilisés et les graffeurs ont commencé à arriver sur les lieux, d’abord à l’extérieur, ensuite à l’intérieur. Très rapidement l’endroit a été pris d’assaut par les explorateurs urbains et les graffeurs. Tout sauf les pièces du devant s’est rapidement détérioré, sous l’action de vandales et de la pluie/neige entrant par les portes et fenêtres brisées ainsi que des portions de toits effondrés. Les deux édifices ont finalement été démolis au cours du printemps et de l’été 2016.
Si vous détenez de l’information additionnelle sur cet endroit, vous êtes invités à me contacter et contribuer à cet article.
La gallerie-photo ci-dessous est divisée en pièces et autres zones où les artistes ont oeuvré. Les noms des différentes pièces ne sont pas officiels, ils sont ceux que j’ai utilisés pour mes besoins d’archivage. Le plan ci-dessous montre les positions relatives de ces pièces.
the “Jailspot”, plan of the various room and areas.
Plan of the various rooms and areas. The codes E1 to E6 and W1 to W5 refer to the room sub-sections below. Click to expand.
Eastern building
the “Jailspot”, Eastern building, street view 2015
Street view from Henri-Bourassa, 2015. Visible in the front are abandoned limousines!
the “Jailspot”, Eastern building, street view 2015
Different angle; visible at the back is the dome of the old Tanguay prison which gave this spot its name amongst writers and urban explorers.
E1 – the galleries
general view of the galleries at the abandoned “Jailspot”
General view of the galleries on the right, and the central rooms on the left.
Kems aka Kemr inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Kems/Kemr
Skor at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Skor
Skor at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Skor
Skor at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Skor
Skor at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Skor
Kemt inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Kemt
Tuna inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Tuna
Shok inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Shok
Shok inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Shok
Shok inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Shok
Shok inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Shok
Shok at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Shok from a Four Lokos prod.
Skor at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Skor from a Four Lokos prod.
Narc at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Narc from a Four Lokos prod.
Tuna at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Tuna from a Four Lokos prod.
Tuna (ground level), Koni (above left) and Saner (above right) inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Tuna (ground level), Koni (above left) and Saner (above right).
Tuna inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Tuna
Tuna inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Tuna
Tuna representing SIK (crew) inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Tuna representing the SIK crew.
Ekler (left) and Tuna (right) inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Ekler (left) and
Tuna (right). Visible above are throws by Hems (left) and Shake (right).
Narc inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Narc
Korb inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Korb
Lith inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Lith
Geser inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Geser
Aper inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Aper
Sunz inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Sunz
Naimo at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Naimo (writing “Ghost”).
Lyfer piece at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Lyfer
Getsa inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Getsa
Shrek One tribute to Jacques Parizeau inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Shrek One tribute to Jacques Parizeau.
Ekler (ground) and Serum (above) at the abandoned ‘Jailspot’
Ekler (ground level) and
Serum (above).
Serum inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Serum
EK7 (left) and Hope (right) inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
EK Sept (left) and
Hope (right). Visible above is a tag by
Daym.
EK Sept (top), Hope (bottom left) and Sunz (bottom right) inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
EK Sept. Scroll up for shots of the Sunz and Hope pieces seen beneath.
Ofusk inside the abandoned “jailspot”
Ofusk
Pito inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Pito
Oskar inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Oskar
Nixon inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Nixon
Dope? inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Dope
Arek inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Arek
Dekor (letters) and Hesan (creature) inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Dekor (letters) and Hesan (creature).
Hesan inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Hesan
Two forms of Dekor inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Two forms of
Dekor on sides of the window. Tags above are by Sunz (in black) and
Nybar (in blue).
Dekor (left) and Rizek (right) inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Dekor (left) and
Rizek (right).
Talk inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Talk
E2 – the car showroom
general view of the “car showroom” inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
General view of the car showroom. Scroll down for close-ups of the
Geser car and the Merp and Raker pieces seen at the back.
Geser inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Geser
Algue representing 203 inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Algue representing
203.
Pro inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Pro
Someone representing VC inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Someone representing the
VC crew.
Lyfer piece at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Lyfer
Block inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Block
Faboo inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Faboo representing Ten Yen.
Aces inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Aces
Aner inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Aner
Merp (top) and Racer (ground level) inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Raker (ground level) and Merp (above).
Merp (top) and Verse (ground level) inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Same spot, earlier shot: Verse (ground level) and Merp (above).
E3 – the central room
general view of the central area and room of the abandoned “Jailspot”
General view of the central room, with the back side of the car showroom on the left.
Skor at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Skor
Skor at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Skor
Aces inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Aces
Bewet inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Bewet
Neak inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Neak
E4 – the warehouse
general view of the warehouse inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
General view of the warehouse (sorry for the blurry shot, it’s the only one I have). Scroll down for a close-up of the few visible pieces in this shot.
Shok at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Shok
Narc at the abandoned ‘Jailspot’
Narc
Skam at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Skam
Dekor at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Dekor
Dekor at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Dekor
Dekor inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Dekor
Neak (top left), Bwet (top right) and Dekor (bottom) inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Dekor (ground level), with
Neak and
Bwet above.
Singe inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Singe. Tags on the right include those of
Dekor,
Bewet, etc.
Ecler at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Ekler, plus a yellow tag by
Bewet.
Rizek inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Rizek
Bwet inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Bewet
Oskr inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Oskar
Meth inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Meth
Gypsr inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Gypsr, perhaps with someone else.
Dypsr? inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Gypsr
E5 – the offices
Ekler in the abandoned “Jailspot”
Ekler
Ecler in the abandoned “Jailspot”
Ekler
Veto in the abandoned “Jailspot”
Veto
Ecler throw in the abandoned “Jailspot”
Ekler throw.
Rizek in the abandoned “Jailspot”
Rizek
E6 – the end room
Bask and Part in the abandoned “Jailspot”
Bask and
Part. Two red tags by
Shok above.
Big throw by Etos in the abandoned “Jailspot”
Big throw from
Etos, plus red tags by
Shok.
Eastern building – outside walls
general view of one of the building of the abandoned “Jailspot”
General view of the end of one of the buildings. Scroll down for close-ups.
Scaner throwie at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Throw from
Scaner.
Lyfer piece at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Lyfer
Lyfer (ground level left), Cler (ground level right) and Balis (above) outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Lyfer (ground level left),
Cler (ground level right) and Balis (above).
Lyfer, Babar, Sneak, Venise at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Lyfer and Babar at ground level, Sneak and
Venise above right.
Lyfer throw at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Lyfer
Lyfer throw at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Lyfer
Ekes outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Ekes
Tuna representing the SIK crew (ground level), Balis (top left) outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Tuna representing the SIK crew (ground level), Balis (top left)
Shok outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Shok. Tags by Getsa and
Gnius above.
Nixon at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Nixon
Nixon outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
What’s left of an old
Nixon piece.
Bosny outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Bosny
Reebok aka Logre outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Reebok aka Logre.
Reebok aka Logre outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Reebok aka Logre.
Gnius outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Gnius
Gnius outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Gnius
Gnius outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Gnius
Raker outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Raker
Kzam (bottom left), Jaws (bottom right), Ecler (yellow) and unidentified artist (text and prisoner) outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Kzam (bottom left),
Jaws (bottom right),
Ekler (yellow) and anonymous artist (text and prisoner).
Wase (top left), Jaws (top right), Rescue (bottom left) outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Wase (top left),
Jaws (top right), Rescue (bottom left)
Getsa outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Getsa
EK Sept outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
EK Sept. Tags by Mesk (black) and
Venise (white) above.
EK Sept outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
EK Sept
Oper outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Oper
Fiefo outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
This reads Fofo but I’m quite sure it’s
Fiefo.
Ecler outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Ekler
Kelen (left) and Shake (right) outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Kelen (left) and Shake (right)
Clast outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Clast
Pares (ground level), Arows (above) outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Pares (ground level) and
Arows (top).
Some (ground level) outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Some (ground level)
Obes outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Obes
Mastrocola (2 colour swirls), Hitem (yellow throw) outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Mastrocola (2 colour swirls),
Hitem (yellow throw).
unidentified artist outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Unidentified artist.
unidentified artist outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Unidentified artist.
Sceak (character), Bask (top tag) outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Sceak (character), Bask (top tag).
Eastern building – roof pieces
Lyfer piece on the roof of the abandoned “Jailspot”
Lyfer
Lyfer piece on the roof of the abandoned “Jailspot”
Lyfer
Ekes on the roof of the abandoned “Jailspot”
Ekes
Ekes on the roof of the abandoned “Jailspot”
Ekes
Algue on the roof of the abandoned “Jailspot”
Algue
Bosny on the roof of the abandoned “Jailspot”
Bosny
Aloke on the roof of the abandoned “Jailspot”
Aloke
Western building
the “Jailspot”, Western building, street view 2016
Street view from Henri-Bourassa, 2016. Also visible on the right is a corner of the Eastern building.
W1 – the long room
general view of the long room of the western building at the abandoned “Jailspot”
General view of the long room. Scroll down for close-ups of the various pieces visible in this shot.
Shok (ground level) and Crops (above) inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Shok (ground level) and Crops (above)
Fruit(left), Epos (middle) and Crack (right)
Fruit (left),
Epos (middle) and
Crack (right); red tag by
Guest bottom left.
Dekor (left) and Crack (right) inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Same spot, later:
Dekor (left) and
Crack (right).
Crack (left), Ecler (right) and Duke (above) inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Crack (left),
Ekler (right) and
Duke (above).
Ecler inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Ekler on garage door, with partial view on the inner courtyard. Partially visible above are a throw and tag by Blek.
Hitem inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Hitem
Gaist/Guest inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Gaist/Guest
Cuh? inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Cur?
Daym inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Daym
Uzem inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Uzem
Scek inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Scek
W2 – the small room
Aper (bottom left), Sunz (bottom right) inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Aper and Sunz.
Nixon (ground piece), Scaner (above tag) inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Nixon, with a blue tag by
Scaner above.
Deser inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Same spot, later:
Deser.
Ensor inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Ensor
Jinx inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Jinx
W3 – the medium room
Apashe at the abandoned ‘jailspot’
Apashe
Nixon at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Nixon
Vogue inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Vogue
Gnius inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Gnius, plus tag by Rake above.
Raker inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Rake
Raes inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Raes
Raes inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Raes
Peace inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Peace
Alber inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Alber
Ekual (ground level) and Arow (above) inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Ekual (ground level) and
Arow (above).
Feez inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Feez
W4 – the courtyard
general view of the inner courtyard of the western building at the abandoned “Jailspot”
General view of the inner courtyard. Scroll down for close-ups of the various pieces.
Stare inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Stare
Shok inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Shok
Monk.e piece at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Monk.e
EK Sept (bottom left), Kelen (top left), Zion (top right) and Sunz (bottom right) inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
EK Sept (bottom left), Kelen (top left),
Zion (top right) and Sunz (bottom right).
Ekler at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Ekler
Ekler inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Ekler
Ecler inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Ekler
Dekor inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Dekor
Rake inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Rake. Tags by
VC‘s Owk and Sunz above.
Gnius (top left of door), Blek (right of door), Arose (very top) inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Gnius (top left of door), Blek (right of door),
Arose (very top)
Jaws (ground level) and Bane (above) inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Jaws (ground level) and Bane (above).
Aper throw inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Aper
Scaner (blue) and Crops (yellow) inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Scaner (blue) and Crops (yellow).
Taike inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Taike, plus a tag by Owk in black on the right.
W5 – the annex
Bane inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Bane
Western builing – outside walls
Raker (ground level), Gnius (middle) and someone for SPK (above) outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Raker (ground level),
Gnius (middle) and someone for
SPK (above).
F.One outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
F.One in small and large formats.
Kzam (ground level), Bane (above left), Duke (above right), Shake (top right) outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Kzam (ground level), Bane (above left),
Duke (above right), Shake (top right).
Smog outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Smog
Rake (left), Ecro (right) outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Raker (left) and
Ecro (right).
Aero throw outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
A throw by
Aero and a tag by Kelen.
KC Neuf outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
KC Neuf
Someone representing YU8 outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Someone representing YU8.
Wall2Wall Montreal 