The National Trust for Canada released its 2024 Endangered Places List on December 12th, 2024. The project “shines a national spotlight on heritage places at risk and the challenges they face.” Over the past few years, this list has featured Winnipeg heritage buildings that require positive action to ensure a viable future. We appreciate that the National Trust for Canada raising awareness on our built heritage, and we encourage our readers to visit their website to learn more about heritage advocacy at home and across Canada.

This year’s list includes Winnipeg’s 1912 Boyd Building at 384 Portage Avenue, built for William James Boyd. A beautiful example of the Chicago School style of architecture, the nine storey building was designed by architect John D. Atchison with retail space on the ground floor and offices above. It was the “western gateway to the downtown” before the Hudson’s Bay Company building at 450 Portage Avenue was completed in 1926. In 2017 the Boyd Building was vacated to make way for renovations the following year, and unfortunately has remained empty ever since.

The heritage community is concerned about vacant historic buildings in Winnipeg, which are more susceptible to fire, deterioration and safety issues. We hope that raising awareness about Canada’s endangered buildings will help them find a practical business plan for occupancy, and once again contribute to a vibrant community!

FEATURED IMAGE: The Boyd Building at 384 Portage Avenue in 1912 or 1913 from the Martin Berman Postcard Collection (public domain via Winnipeg Public Library).