fbpx
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

July 23, 2024

Heritage Win: Rubin Block Purchased by Fisher River Cree First Nation

Good news for the heritage community: after 10 vacant years, the Rubin Block (270 Morley Avenue) has been purchased by the Fisher River Cree First Nation. Through multiple partnerships including with the University of Winnipeg Community Renewal Corporation, Fisher River plans to rehabilitate the building for 13 residential units along with a community resource space.

The Rubin Block was built in 1914, and was designed by Winnipeg Architect, Maxwell Blankstein. It was designed as a mixed-use space with residential suites and commercial space. As a middle-income apartment block, the Rubin was a more affordable option than luxury apartments such as the Roslyn Courts at 40 Roslyn Road. Rubin Block’s lower and upper floors were visibly divided on the exterior façade with a metal cornice, highlighting the many uses for the building.

Sadly, the Rubin Block has been vacant since 2014 when it was again threatened by fire. Since then, Heritage Winnipeg has worked closely with members of the Fort Rouge community in an effort to protect the building. Over the years, there have been many community meetings and rallies, attempts to get the owner to sell, and a 2020 petition which amassed almost 1,500 votes demanding that the city once again use the building for much needed affordable housing, putting an end to the urban blight in the neighbourhood. Unfortunately Rubin Block is not a designated heritage resource, which has put it at further risk of deterioration and possible demolition over the years. Heritage Winnipeg and the Fort Rouge community have spent the last decade stressing the importance and potential that this building holds for the community!

Rubin Block in the summer of 2022. Heritage Winnipeg

Fortunately, Fisher River Cree First Nation has stepped in to provide the building with a renewed life. It has been Heritage Winnipeg’s hope for this building that it would become fully occupied and again be a vibrant part of the community, while staying financially viable. Fisher River’s plans are reflective of this goal, providing a safe space for the indigenous community, and a steady financial income for the First Nation. While Rubin Block’s interior will need to be gutted to address asbestos and mold, an effort will be made to preserve as much of the character-defining elements as possible.

We are grateful to Fisher River Cree First Nation and all their partners for taking on this rehabilitation project, and we look forward to seeing it once again become an integral part of the community!

Sources:

“270 Morley: Rubin Block/Morley Apartments”, City of Winnipeg Historical Buildings & Resources Committee, December 2017.

“Fisher River Cree Nation to restore century-plus old building on Osborne Street” CBC News, 21 July 2024

Frank, Matthew. “Redevelopment of historic Rubin Block underway in South Osborne” Winnipeg Free Press, 23 July 2024

Past updates on 270 Morley Avenue:

January 11th, 2021: “Winnipeg Free Press: In South Osborne, residents push for revitalized Rubin Block”

January 4th, 2021: “Anonymous Sign Appears on Rubin Block; Campaigns for Renovation of Building”

December 11th, 2020: “Advocacy Group Sends Open Letter to City of Winnipeg to Rehabilitate Rubin Block”

logo

 / Recent News

May 7, 2025

Doors Open Winnipeg 2025 Registration Opens Saturday, May 17th at Noon!

Online registration for select Doors Open Winnipeg events will open at noon on Saturday, May 17th! Registration links will be available directly on the individual event pages on the Doors Open Winnipeg website. Events that require advance registration to attend include: Ghost Sign Walking Tour Haunted History Tour History of the Exchange Walking Tour with…

April 30, 2025

Remembering Councillor Jason Schreyer

One Tuesday, April 29th, 2025, Jason Schreyer, councillor for the City of Winnipeg’s Elmwood-East Kildonan ward, unexpectedly passed away at age 57. Schreyer was first elected to city council in 2014, and re-elected in 2018 and 2022. The son of Ed Schreyer, former Manitoba premier and Governor-General of Canada, he is remember by his colleagues…

April 28, 2025

Forging A New Foundation: Holy Trinity Anglican Church

On Friday, April 25th, 2025, CentreVenture Development Corporation announced it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Parish of Holy Trinity, the Diocese of Rupert’s Land of the Anglican Church of Canada and Monteyne Architecture. The agreement is to conduct a feasibility study as the first step towards stabilizing and restoring the 1884 Holy…

April 24, 2025

Start the Countdown: One Month Until Doors Open Winnipeg 2025!

Heritage Winnipeg’s 22nd annual Doors Open Winnipeg is coming up fast – are you ready to celebrate the stories our buildings tell? This FREE event will be taking place May 24 and 25 throughout the city, with exciting new events and fantastic returning favourites. No matter your interests or how many times you have attended,…

April 16, 2025

Advocating for Heritage Sensitive Development

Heritage Winnipeg’s Executive Director, Cindy Tugwell, was at the Standing Policy Committee on Property and Development meeting at City Hall on April 16th, 2025, to oppose an appeal that sought to stop the variances for the project at 120-128 James Avenue. The Heritage Winnipeg Board supports the “Loft Works on James” project that will see…

April 14, 2025

Lemay Forest to Stand Tall

On Monday, April 14th, 2025, Premier Wab Kinew announced the Province of Manitoba’s plans to expropriate the Lemay Forest and conserve it as a provincial park. Located in St. Norbert, the roughly 18-hectare property is currently owned by the Tochal Development Group, who resumed deforesting it to make way for a proposed assisted living facility….

Subscribe to Heritage Winnipeg Blog