I recognize that climb, McTavish Street and probably one of the steepest hills in the city barring some of Westmount. I used to go to school in that gray prison looking thing on the right.
I had my eye on that bike, if it had been July I probably would have pulled the trigger, looks like a nice ride though and at a fair price. Marinonis aren't quite as rare here as they are other places. You might almost say they're easy to find (don't flame me), Velo Makak usually has a few lugged/ergo examples for sale for 800-$1500.
I ride this city with 28s and even 25s in some cases, no problems. Just learn to get light on the potholes, often.

If you need new wheels built check out J.R.'s on Rachel and Hotel De Ville. They're pretty much the vintage specialists downtown and they just opened a new location with twice the staff and floorspace.