Architecture of Winnipeg

The City of Winnipeg is located at the junction of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers, almost at the geographic centre of North America. The Exchange District Historical site is the original site of commerce in Winnipeg. After the railroads came to Winnipeg, this area was developed with many fine warehouses, offices and banks. Many of these remain and are unrivelled in Canada. On September 27, 1997, the original core of the city of Winnipeg, the Exchange District, was declared a National Historic Site by the federal Minister of Canadian Heritage. The Historic Sites and Monuments board recommended that Winnipeg’s Exchange District be designated an historic district of national significance because it illustrates the city’s key role as a centre of grain and wholesale trade, finance and manufacturing in two historically important periods in western development: between 1880 and 1900 when Winnipeg became the gateway to Canada’s West; and between 1900 and 1913, when the city’s growth made it the region’s metropolis.

1835 – Upper Fort Garry Gate, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Upper Fort Garry was the last of five forts, known to have been built in this general vicinity. The other forts included: Fort Rouge (circa 1736),

1851 – Grey Nuns Convent, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Architect: L’Abbé Louis François Laflèche

The old convent of the Grey Nuns, which today houses the St. Boniface Museum,

1852 – Ross House, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Ross House had its beginnings in 1852 when construction commenced on William Ross’s log home. Ross was appointed Post Master in 1855 by the Council of Assiniboia and he operated the post office from his home.

1855 – Old St. James Anglican Church, Winnipeg, Manitoba

In 1850, Reverend W.H. Taylor was instructed by the Bishop of Rupert’s Land, The Right Reverend David Anderson, to establish a church for the settlement expanding westward along the banks of the Assiniboine River.

1864 – Archbishop’s Palace, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Architect: George C. Izenour

Built in 1864 under the guidance of Bishop Taché, the west wing of this residence stands as one of the oldest stone buildings remaining in Western Canada.

1873 – Hotel Winnipeg, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Architects: Walter Chesterton / Samuel Hooper

Small hotel building on Main Street, where there was once many due to the railway station.

1880s – No. 206 Princess, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Fine warehouse with good quality brick cornice and window detailing. Sadly empty.

1881 – Hudson’s Bay Company, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Architect: Balston C. Kenway

Built at Main & York, to replace an earlier store of 1874 further south on Main Street,

1881 – Riel House, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Riel House, a National Historic Site is the family home of the Métis leader and founder of Manitoba, Louis Riel. It was here,

1881 – Université de Saint-Boniface, Winnipeg