fbpx
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

July 16, 2024

Doomed for Demolition: Bricks Fall from 579 McDermot Amidst Renovations

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.

logo

 / Recent News

October 17, 2024

Introducing our Guest Speakers for our Local Artist Showcase!

At our Local Artist Showcase on November 1st, we’ll be welcoming TWO guest speakers to talk about heritage and art: Jordan Van Sewell and Jen Arnold! Here’s a bit more info on these talented artists, as well as a few examples of their work.

October 15, 2024

Grand Opening of the Gregg Building Lofts!

On Friday, October 11th, 2024, the Gregg Building Lofts at 52 Albert Street officially opened! Heritage Winnipeg’s President, Greg Agnew attended the event, hosted by the building owner Jay Knysh, which included good friends, delicious food, live entertainment, fun dancing and tours of the newly renovated building. It was a wonderful evening celebrating all the…

October 2, 2024

War Veteran Statue to be Relocated to Brookside Cemetery

The First World War Veteran statue in front of the Former Bank of Montreal (335 Main Street) is set to be relocated to Brookside Cemetery (3001 Notre Dame Ave.) to make way for the reopening of Portage and Main.

September 28, 2024

Year In Review: Heritage Winnipeg’s 2024 Annual General Meeting

Heritage Winnipeg’s 2024 Annual General Meeting was held on September 26, 2024 in Celebration Hall at the historic Millennium Centre. It was nice to gather with heritage supporters and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the engaging keynote presentation about Northwest Winnipeg by Kenneth Ingram. We would like to thank all our members, donors and volunteers over the…

September 27, 2024

A New Chapter for Portage Place Mall: an Update on SCO and True North’s Redevelopment Project

Heritage Winnipeg would like to congratulate True North on their confirmed purchase of Portage Place Mall. At a press conference on Friday, September 27th 2024, True North Real Estate Development announced that they plan to redevelop this 1.2 million square foot building for multi-use space, for residential, health care, and community support, in partnership with the Southern Chiefs Organization. This project is being supported by all three levels of government.

Welcoming Three New Heritage Winnipeg Board Members

Heritage Winnipeg is pleased to welcome three new members to our Board of Directors – Kenneth Ingram, Matthew Jacobi and Roland Sawatzky! With diverse backgrounds, experiences and specialties, they bring a wealth of knowledge to our organization. We are also excited for the fresh insights, energy and enthusiasm from our new board members, helping us…

Subscribe to Heritage Winnipeg Blog