1914 – Former Birks Jewellers, Winnipeg, Manitoba

The former Birks Jewellers building on Portage Avenue has a neo-Egyptian theme of terracotta decoration. Originally built in 1901, it was heavily remodeled as this palazzo for Birks. Birks was a well-known jewelry chain in Canada but has long since vacated its downtown location in Winnipeg. Originally starting in Montreal, as they expanded across Canada, it bought local jewellers, adding its name to the local store – the one in Winnipeg was Birks-Dingwall. The most interesting feature is the side elevation with the stairwell tower and connecting chimney creating and interesting profile to the surroundings. Sadly a poor modern shopfront to street level detracts from the front façade.