Montreal officials see red after century-old home turned into colourful billboard

A brightly coloured advertising campaign is turning heads — and being condemned by the city of Montreal.

A duplex on Atateken street in Montreal stands out from the pack with its dramatic colour combinations of highlighter green, rosé pink and mustard yellow.

The bright colours painted on the century-old home are from an adverting campaign that is turning heads — and earning the condemnation of city officials.

The home, now looking like a lifesize doll house, is getting a lot of attention and that is the point. The property has been temporarily transformed into a billboard for Koodo mobile, a subsidiary of telecommunications firm Telus.

As seen in other cities like Toronto, the flamboyant publicity stunt aims to promote residential WiFi. A small sign outside in a newly planted garden reads, “There’s joy under this roof. Koodo internet.”

While prompting smiles by passersby, the project is not getting any love from city officials, who have denounced the commercial act.

The owners of the residence risk receiving fines, according to the city.

“A notice of violation will be given to the owner who will also be asked to comply as quickly as possible,” says Montreal spokesperson Beatrice Saulnier-Yelle.

City officials claim the marketing company behind the ad, Camp Jefferson, did not have approval to paint over the century old home.