1912 – Free Press Building, Carlton Street, Winnipeg

This fine Edwardian office building on Carlton Street was designed by architects John Woodman and Raymond Carey for the Manitoba Free Press, later the Winnipeg Free Press. Constructed with a concrete frame, and finished externally in brick, stone, and terracotta, it is a fine example of the stripped classical style of the Edwardians. The original six bay building is the southern end, an extension to the north was later added in the mid 1920s – this left the main entrance in the centre of the final building. The change in colour of materials can be seen. The extension is similar but not an exact copy of the original and was designed by Arthur E. Cubbidge (1881-1952), a former partner of Woodman. There is a fine entrance hallway with Art Deco influences. In 1991, the company relocated to an industrial park, this building is now used for a variety of offices.

Described during construction:

“This building is situated on the west side of Carlton street, between Portage and Ellice avenues. It is a reinforced concrete building built on the Turner mushroom system. The wall foundations are taken to blue clay, approximately 24 feet below the grade of the pavement. The entire area is sheet piled. The building has a frontage of 19 feet on Carlton street and runs back 120 feet to a lane, the width at the back being 102 feet. There will be six storeys, each having a height of 13 feet. The concrete floor slabs are of a mixture of one part Portland cement to two parts of fine sharp sand to four parts of screened gravel. The reinforcement is of medium carbon steel of 70,000 pounds per square inch ultimate strength and 40,000 pounds per square inch elastic limit. The press room floor, which is about twelve feet below grade, is designed to carry a li\e load of 150 pounds per square inch. This is exclusive of engines and presses which will be mounted on separate foundations. The mezzanine floor is designed for a live load of 100 pounds per square inch, the first floor for 75 pounds, the second floor for 159 pounds, the third floor for 200 pounds with a special live load on an area of 5- feet by 12 feet of 26,000 pounds, the fourth floor 75 pounds and the fifth floor 100 pounds per square inch. The roof will carry a live load of 100 pounds per square inch. On the north side of the building there is being erected a garage of the same type of construction as the main building. This will have a frontage of 60 feet on Carlton street and will extend back the full length of the building, i.e., 120 feet. The garage will be a 2-storey structure for the present, but it has been so constructed that it can be raised to six storeys at any future date. Messrs. Carter, Halls & Aldinger are the contractors, while Messrs. Woodman & Carey, of Winnipeg, are tile architects.”
Engineering and Contract Record, July 17, 1912

“This structure is situated on Carlton street between Portage and Ellice avenues. The frontage on Carlton street is 79 feet, the depth is 120 feet, the width at the rear being 102 feet. There are six storeys above ground, each 13 ft. in height. The construction is the Turner Mushroom system of reinforced concrete. The wall foundations extend 24 ft. below grade. The building is to be used entirely by the Free Press Company and the various floors are designed to take the loads of the presses and other machinery. The building is faced with terra cotta and red brick.

On the north side of the building is a two-storey garage of the same type of construction, with a frontage of 60 feet on Carlton street. This garage will be occupied by the Detroit Electric Company. Messrs. Woodman & Cary are the architects, and Messrs. Carter-Halls-Aldinger the general contractors.”
Engineering and Contract Record, January 29, 1913

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