Heritage Winnipeg was saddened to hear of the passing of Richard Walls on September 9th, 2026. Richard was a dedicated advocate for Winnipeg’s built heritage, downtown revitalization and community development, whose work left a lasting impact on our city.

For more than 40 years, Richard was the founder and president of ADI-Designworks Ltd., based in Winnipeg’s Exchange District. He was a founding member and former president of both the Old Market Square Association and the Exchange District BIZ, and served with Heritage Winnipeg and CentrePlan. His commitment to heritage preservation and revitalization helped breathe new life into historic buildings in the Exchange District and along North Main Street. Richard was also recognized by Heritage Winnipeg with Distinguished Service Awards in 1993 and 2007.

Richard’s dedication to his community extended well beyond heritage preservation. As the founder and longtime leader of Red Road Lodge, he helped transform the former Occidental Hotel into transitional housing and a place of support for vulnerable members of the community. Through Red Road Lodge and The Edge Artist Village, he brought together his passions for heritage buildings, affordable housing, arts and culture, and community development.

Heritage Winnipeg extends our deepest condolences to Richard’s family, friends and colleagues. His decades of dedication to preserving and strengthening Winnipeg’s communities leave an important legacy, and he will be sincerely missed.

OBITUARY

Feature Image: Main Street looking north, with the Occidental Hotel visible near the centre across Logan Avenue, sometime after 1906. The former hotel was later transformed by Richard Walls into Red Road Lodge. Source: Martin Berman Postcard Collection, Winnipeg Public Library, via PastForward. (Public domain)