The alleys
The alley, a kind of little street, from a secondary network giving access to the backyards of row houses. They allow easy delivery of wood and coal for heating, garbage pick-up and easy access for firefighters in case of a fire. The alley became for many children their playground, as well as shortcuts for pedestrians and cyclists. At the turn of the century, all kinds of roving trades - ice salesmen, rag collectors, cissor sharpeners, fruit and vegetable vendors - ply their trade in these alleys rather than on the streets.

Commercial presence
On the commercial streets, the buildings have boutiques on the ground level and the windows are right off the sidewalk. Access to the upper lodgings is through a door hidden between shop windows, with a long indoor staircase.

Special cases

The street corner
Buildings on corners are privileged because they have access to two streets and have two walls open to sunlight. They are often more ornate, with turrets, corner balconies or imaginative architectural detailing. There are also typical corner stores, such as fruit store, tobacco store or snack bar, their door on the street corner at a 45° angle, facing each other accross the street.

Victorian Exuberance... next>>>