On Thursday, February 27th, it was announced that the site on which the historic Sutherland Hotel once stood will be the home of an affordable apartment building.

The 140-year-old Sutherland Hotel at 785 Main Street was destroyed by fire in January of 2025. The loss of this building, along with the important mural that covered its façade, was a wake-up call to many Winnipeggers on the importance of taking further steps in protecting our built heritage.

Thankfully, the hotel will not be left as an empty lot. The Anhart Community Housing Society, who initially intended on converting the Sutherland into affordable housing, have announced that they will be building an apartment complex with 100 units on the site.

It is our hope that Anhart will take the opportunity to honour the historic hotel through a plaque, art piece, or other form of public art commemorating this site. We are also hopeful that they will be cautious and respectful towards the neighbouring historic Craig Block (795 Main Street), considering its importance as a connection to Winnipeg’s Black History.

Source:

“Sutherland Hotel fire forces non-profit developer to pivot, revise affordable-housing project plans” Tyler Searle, Winnipeg Free Press, 26 February 2025.

Past Updates on 785 Main Street:

January 17th, 2025: “Historic Sutherland Hotel Lost to Fire”