1904 – Union Bank Tower, Winnipeg, Manitoba

The oldest skyscraper in Canada was built for the Union Bank of Canada and once also boasted the tallest flagpole in the British Empire. The eleven-storey building has terracotta cladding on the first three floors and on the eleventh floor surrounding the unusual porthole windows with their heavy decorative surrounds, as well as a heavily bracketed cornice. A design for an alternate exterior treatment exists. The interiors of the banking halls were lavish and finished in coloured marble on the walls, counters and floors, with mahogany and marble tables. The ceilings were finished with gold leaf details. In 1925, the Union Bank merged with the Royal Bank of Canada whose name adorned the tower until recently. After standing empty for many years, it was renovated and extended for student accomodation, and a culinary school and restaurant.

The Union Bank building is Winnipeg’s tallest skyscraper. It is twelve stories high, and was designed about three years ago by Messrs. Darling & Pearson. It is of frame steel construction, fireproofed with terra cotta. The e.xterior walls are of yellow pressed brick, trimmed with ornamental terra cotta. It has oak interior finish, and has three elevators. The banking-room is decorated with Verd antique marble, has Scagliola columns, and mosaic floors. It was constructed by an American contracting firm, and cost $350,000.
Construction, December 1909

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