Over this past weekend, Winnipeg’s heritage community received surprising news that the Stobart Warehouse at 579 McDermot Avenue is slated for imminent demolition.

As the 1910 building was being retrofitted as residential suites, neighbours noted the growing cracks on all sides of the façade. An engineer’s report in June of 2024 revealed immediate risks and the city ordered that the owners address these issues. By mid-July, the state of the warehouse had worsened. Neighbours awoke to the sounds of falling bricks and the foundation’s failure was made obvious by visible sagging in the middle of the structure. Now posing a threat to passersby and neighbours, the building’s demolition was ordered by the City of Winnipeg. The adjacent residential buildings have been evacuated and the site has been fenced off.

The Stobart Warehouse was designed in 1910 by John Hamilton Gordon Russell in the Richardsonian Romanesque style. While it is not a designated heritage building, it is one of a small handful of historic warehouses in the West Alexander neighbourhood. It has many character-defining elements of the era, such as the subtle brick detailing, painted signs from decades of businesses, and a large loading dock.

Adaptive reuse is a great way to preserve our built heritage, but it doesn’t always work out as planned. Even the most sound structure is not exempt from the risks that accompany extensive renovations. We are saddened by the loss of this 110-year-old warehouse, and we hope that whatever development takes its place will be beneficial to the community and the city as a whole.

As of July 16th, 2024, there is no activity on the site.

The crumbling exterior wall of 579 McDermot

Close up of cracks in the exterior wall of 579 McDermot

Sources:

“Historic Sites of Manitoba: Stobart Warehouse / Union Overall Warehouse / Western Paper Box Warehouse (579 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg)” Manitoba Historical Society Archives, 23 July 2024.

Holy, Alexandra “‘We feel the brick falling’: Winnipeg building set for demolition, neighbours worry about the mess left behind” CTV News Winnipeg, 12 July 2024.

MacLean, Cameron. “City orders demolition of crumbling McDermot Avenue warehouse to start by Monday” CBC News, 12 July 2024.