The Panama Court Apartments and Pasadena Apartments are two iconic Winnipeg apartment buildings located on quiet, tree-lined streets just beyond the bounds of the hustle and bustle of a busy downtown. Built in the early 20th century, the apartments have stood the test of time and are still home to many Winnipeggers today. Now located in the Fort Rouge neighbourhood, the area was originally known as St. Boniface West, a prestigious and aristocratic residential district where many of Winnipeg’s professionals put down roots and raised their families.

With Winnipeg’s population rapidly growing in the 1890s, the city began to develop amenities like those of other major urban centres. Health services were implemented, roads built and communications cables laid. One of the biggest areas of improvement was housing. The downtown had become more and more congested, with the solution being developments that pushed into new areas beyond the crush of the city, providing much needed housing. The rural setting of St. Boniface West was one of these newly developed areas, attractive to Winnipeg’s elite because of its close proximity to downtown.

As the 20th century progressed, trends in Winnipeg housing changed. Where once only single family residences would have been built, apartment complexes were now rising. The structures being built were not the compact high-rises we know today, but rather, gracious low-rise buildings that had generous suites with rich and detailed finishes. These large units quickly gained prominence as a desirable place to live.

The Panama Court at 785 Dorchester Avenue and Pasadena Apartments at 220 Hugo Street North were part of the early 20th century trend of low rise apartments. Considered to be “sister-buildings,” they are both four storey U-shaped structures that feature balconies facing into the courtyard. They were built one year apart, with the Pasadena opening in 1912 and the Panama Court in 1913, designed by architects from the same family. The Pasadena was designed by Manitoba’s first Provincial Architect, Samuel Hooper, while the Panama Court was designed by his son, John S. Hooper. Together, Samuel and John made up Hooper and Hooper, a renowned Winnipeg architectural firm.

Born in Hatherleigh, England in 1851, Samuel Hooper moved to London, Ontario with members of the Hooper family in 1869. Later in 1878, the Hooper family returned to England, but Samuel chose to stay in Canada and continue his architectural career in Winnipeg. In 1872, he married Jane Ferguson Simpson and had four children: John Simpson Hooper, Gertrude Hooper, Samuel Lawrence Hooper, and Nina Simpson Hooper.

Decades later, in 1908, John was made head draftsman of his father’s firm, Hooper & Walker. When his father died three years later, John continued the practice under the former name Hooper & Hooper. Panama Court was the third building John designed. Its name was most likely informed by the Panama Canal, which was just a year away from being built.

The Panama Court at 785 Dorchester Avenue in 2019. Notice how the sunrooms protrude onto the green space.
Source: Heritage Winnipeg

The Panama Court at 785 Dorchester Avenue in 2019. The inside of the sunroom.
Source: Heritage Winnipeg

The Panama Court at 785 Dorchester Avenue in 2019. The spacious dining room.
Source: Heritage Winnipeg

The Panama Court at 785 Dorchester Avenue in 2019. Beautiful mahogany details featuring some party decorations.
Source: Heritage Winnipeg

The Panama Court at 785 Dorchester Avenue in 2019. Here you can see where previous management painted over the mahogany wood with a dark mustard colour.
Source: Heritage Winnipeg

The Panama Court at 785 Dorchester Avenue in 2019. The original tiles in the bathroom.
Source: Heritage Winnipeg

The Panama Court at 785 Dorchester Avenue in 2019. A suite doorbell that no longer works. Each apartment has one.
Source: Heritage Winnipeg

The Panama Court at 785 Dorchester Avenue in 2019. A beautiful flower growing in the well-kept courtyard.
Source: Heritage Winnipeg

The Panama Court at 785 Dorchester Avenue in 2019. Spacious living room with mahogany details (and original fireplace behind the couch).
Source: Heritage Winnipeg

The Panama Court and Pasadena Apartments are a simple take on the California Mission style. They feature red clay tile roofs, graduated colours of brick, and smooth stucco on the upper walls. Both buildings exhibit a southern aesthetic – a rare architectural style for Winnipeg. Inside, they are spacious and well-lit. Suite sizes vary from 850 to 1500 square feet. Each room has windows, hardwood floors, and attached private balconies – a major selling point. They also feature wood detailing, with mahogany embellishing the Panama Court and oak embellishing the Pasadena. Owned by Thomas Sharpe, the Pasadena cost $65,000 to build and the Panama Court is thought to have cost a similar amount. In 2019 dollars, that’s approximately $1.3 million!

The Panama Court and Pasadena Apartments have been home to some infamous Winnipeggers. Annie McClung, an important activist, moved into Panama Court after her husband’s death and lived there until she passed in 1926. She is most well known for being the pioneer of Manitoba’s suffrage movement. She was also Nellie McClung’s mother-in-law, no doubt influencing the young woman’s views on politics and equality.

In terms of the Pasadena, the person most often associated with the building is Thomas Sharpe, for whom the block was built. Sharpe was Winnipeg’s mayor from 1904 to 1906. During his time at Pasadena, distinguished managers, chief clerks, and senior draftsmen also occupied the building. Sharpe sold the apartment block in 1949.

An advertisement for the Pasadena Apartments at 220 Hugo Street North in 1914.
Source: Winnipeg Free Press (public domain, via Newspaper Archives)

An advertisement for the Panama Court at 785 Dorchester Avenue in July 1913.
Source: Winnipeg Free Press (public domain, via Christian Cassidy)

In recent years, Sussex Realty has managed Pasadena Apartments and Globe Management Properties has managed Panama Court. Time has not tarnished the shine of these grand old buildings, which are still very desirable places to live. Both buildings offer spacious one, two, and three bedroom suites with kitchens, living rooms, dining rooms and sun rooms. They also provide bike racks in the courtyards, which are blooming with greenery and flowers in the summer. Inside, tenants enjoy heat from radiators in the winter and ornamental fireplaces all year round.These two gems, which are less than a  ten minute walk apart, are ideally located in a walkable neighbourhood flush with amenities. Tenants can dine in the heart of the Corydon Village, or can take a quick journey to Osborne Village, South Osborne, Wolseley, or Academy, all without needing a car. There are also green spaces nearby, with Peanut Park (11 Ruskin Row) a five minute walk away from Panama Court, and Munson Park (475 Wellington Crescent) a ten minute walk away from Pasadena. Built over 100 year ago, many of the buildings features are more relevant and desirable today as we become more aware of our modern lifestyle’s negative impact on the environment.

Today the buildings are quickly becoming popular with hip young professionals who use public transit or biking as their preferred modes of transportation. There is a noted sense of community among neighbours, which contributes to making them an enjoyable place to call home. Both building are well kept and in good condition, with one resident commenting about Panama Court: “it is eerie how un-haunted the building is.”

Both of these gorgeous, historic apartment blocks are stunning examples of character buildings that make Winnipeg a diverse and endearing place to live. The Pasadena Apartment has been a municipally designated heritage building since December 1988. Sadly, the Panama Court Apartment has not been designated and is therefore unprotected. Yet they are both staples in the Fort Rouge community and contribute greatly to the lives of the people in and around them. Next time you are in the area, be sure to take a gander at the beautiful, mission-style apartments and marvel at the historic buildings that are truly a modern marvel.

 
SOURCES:
http://corydontimes.ca/a-look-back-a-peek-inside-panama-court/
https://winnipegdowntownplaces.blogspot.com/2019/05/785-dorchester-avenue-panama-court.html
https://www.winnipeg.ca/ppd/Documents/Heritage/ListHistoricalResources/Hugo-N-220-long.pdf
http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/sites/pasadenaapartments.shtml
https://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=8381