Winnipeg's Exchange District

As I blogged before...we arrived in Winnipeg around 8 am on Thursday, September 9, and we were met by Leona's friend, Gloria, who took us on a tour of the Exchange District.



Here we have a Romanesque Revival building at 212 McDermot Street. It was built in 1901 for the Lake of the Woods Milling Company, and features two red brick facades with round-head windows on the main floor. Notice the sandstone-faced entrance that is inscribed with the name of the company.

This is the back of the Porter Building, located at 165 McDermot. Originally constructed in 1906 as a warehouse for crockery, china, and glass...it closed its doors in 1943. As you can see, it was once occupied by a candy company, and unlike some cities, Winnipeg has encouraged owners to keep the old painted signs, whenever possible.

The IOOF Hall that you see below, sits at the corner of McDermot and Princess Streets.
It is a three story building with metal cornice bearing the letters "IOOF and ML No 1" -Independent Order of Odd Fellows Manitoba Lodge No. 1. Look closely and observe the cryptic symbols of the mystic order...a crescent moon with seven stars and a three link chain.

When the architects were designing the new Red River College on Princess Street, they decided to preserve the heritage facades of the five buildings in the block. They, along with the engineers, integrated them (the facades) into the new building, by temporarily supporting the facades with a unique steel buttress framework. As well, the brick, millwork, glass, ceramic tiles, heavy timbers, light fixtures, steel columns, and Tyndall stone cladding were all reclaimed.

Here we have a "Ghost Sign" for the Western Elevator and Motor Company.

This old door, with its iron gate is situated on Main Street at 460.

Another door....this one at 137 McDermot.

I caught some students sitting around the Exchange District...they were sketching some of the older brick buildings....could they be budding architects?

Well...we had a great time touring the area. I probably could have spent a couple of days just walking around. I did not get pictures of the old bank that Birk's had renovated (they kept the elevators, mail box and vault from the former occupants). We had a free ride back to the station on the transit, because it was after 11 am. There are three downtown busses that provide this service. Neat, eh?
Thanks, Gloria for a great day in Winnipeg.