Heritage Conservation in Winnipeg South Point Douglas Secondary Plan. January 2009

Heritage Conservation in Winnipeg South Point Douglas Secondary Plan January 2009

Heritage Conservation in Winnipeg 1. Introduction 2. Historical Buildings By-law 3. Case Study Point Douglas Table of Contents

I n t r o d u c t i o n

Main Street looking north ca. 1894 What is Winnipeg s Heritage? Winnipeg has a rich history rising out of unparalleled growth, helping to open up the West, and so rife in architectural exuberance that it earned the nickname The Chicago of the North. I n t r o d u c t i o n

Foundations of a Metropolis Winnipeg was the only access point to and from the West, meaning all trade goods had to be routed through the city. By 1900, there were 28 branch, spur, and through railway lines in Winnipeg, including the Canadian Pacific Railway main line. Point Douglas became home to the new CPR station and adjoining Royal Alexandra Hotel. This effectively bisected the area with the portion north of the tracks remaining mostly residential, and the south portion largely industrial. Immigration Poster ca. 1890 I n t r o d u c t i o n

Influx As goods poured into Winnipeg, people followed. In the decade between 1901 and 1911, the city s population tripled from approx. 42,000 to over 136,000, making it the third-largest city in Canada. The amount of capital invested in Winnipeg enterprises rose by 330%, while manufacturing output rose by 120%. Point Douglas was home to light and heavy industries such as foundries, cement plants, soap factory, furniture companies, saw mills, flour mills, carriage works, warehouses and farm implements. Immigrants at CPR Station, 1927 I n t r o d u c t i o n

Grain Trade The Federal Grain Act of 1899 required that prairie wheat had to be inspected in Winnipeg. By 1902, the city had become a more important handler of grain than Chicago. As a result, Winnipeg s influence extended world-wide. The Winnipeg Grain Exchange was the centre of the Canadian grain trade and a primary generator of private fortunes. Olgilvie Mills, constructed in 1909 on Higgins Avenue, put Point Douglas at the hub of the grain trade. I n t r o d u c t i o n

Banking Winnipeg s banks financed the growth of the prairies by borrowing capital from British and Canadian money markets - using it to finance the grain trade, the erection of warehouses, and the distribution of goods. Winnipeg was also the main prairie banking centre, with regional offices of the major eastern Canadian banks, and trust and insurance companies being located in what is now the Exchange District. The segment of Main leading up to Portage was known as Banker s Row due to the over 25 bank buildings located there. I n t r o d u c t i o n

Warehouses and Wholesale Winnipeg would have been a point of through shipment, except for regulations which encouraged the establishment of Winnipeg as a point of transshipment. As a result of freight rate reductions, it was cheaper to ship goods to Winnipeg, store them and ship them onwards to retail outlets. The warehouses held everything from shoes to matches, to agricultural equipment to toys. Post Office ca. 1903 I n t r o d u c t i o n

Manufacturing 177 McDermot ca.1915 Winnipeg also became the main centre for manufacturing in western Canada. Clothing and hardware became especially profitable businesses as raw materials were warehoused in the city. Notable manufacturers included the Great West Saddlery on Market Ave, the Schmidt Foundry on Albert which is thought to be the only brass works serving the prairies, and Dingwall s Limited which manufactured watches and jewelry on Albert Street. I n t r o d u c t i o n

The Exchange District Today the area we call the Exchange District is a National Historic Site. It is one of only 16 National Historic Districts in Canada and is the most intact district of its type in North America. The District remains as an exceptional legacy chronicling Winnipeg's phenomenal growth from a modest 1870s pioneer settlement to Western Canada s largest metropolis by 1913. Lombard Ave. Looking west I n t r o d u c t i o n

The Exchange District The District spans some 20-city blocks featuring buildings of outstanding significance designed by some of North America s preeminent architects, including opulent banks, robust warehouses and early skyscrapers. It includes over 80 designated heritage buildings. It also boasts five National Historic Sites: the Pantages Theatre, the Union Bank Tower and Annex; the Bank of Hamilton, the Union Tower and the Confederation Life Building. I n t r o d u c t i o n

Historical Buildings By-law What is the City s Role in Conserving Our Heritage?

When did heritage become Heritage? Late 1950s saw political concern for the declining area around (old) City Hall. The resulting grand-scale redevelopment schemes gave Winnipeg the Civic Complex (City Hall, Centennial Concert Hall and Planetarium), the Richardson Building and Winnipeg Square. This construction meant many turn-of-the-century buildings were razed. Concerned citizens mobilized to protect landmarks such as the Bank of Commerce (Millennium Centre) and others. Historical Buildings By-law

The 1970s saw the growth of North American urban renewal: clearing mature urban neighbourhoods for freeways and civic complexes. The Conservation Movement was born as some fought against this tabula rasa approach. The City of Winnipeg officially acknowledged its built heritage in 1974 with the release of a report declaring the importance of our warehouse district. In 1977, the City passed the Historical Buildings By-Law, No. 1474/77, our first municipal legislation to monitor and protect our heritage stock. Historical Buildings By-law

Why Conserve Heritage? Sustainable Design and Smart Growth Distinct Streetscapes and Character Urban Revitalization Economic Opportunities Specialty shops & services Film industry (The Exchange District National Historic Site has hosted 12 major films since 2003) Tourism and Heritage Tourism Historical Buildings By-law

The Historical Buildings By-Law Establishes the Historical Buildings Committee: A Volunteer group of 12 heritage experts who advise City Council on heritage matters within Winnipeg, with a City Councillor as Chairperson. Historical Buildings By-law

The Historical Buildings By-Law Establishes the Buildings Conservation List: List of over 230 properties that City Council has designated as historical following evaluation by the Historical Buildings Committee (HBC) Designation means the building has been identified as having special architectural, cultural, or historical value Designation occurs only at the request of the owner; owner can also request de-listing Properties on this list are classified as Grades I, II, or III depending on their significance. They are monitored for alterations, repairs and demolition. Historical Buildings By-law

The Historical Buildings By-Law Establishes the Certificate of Suitability (Heritage Permit): Sympathetic alteration occurs regularly as the City of Winnipeg works with owners to keep our heritage stock viable. The Certificate of Suitability is the permit that owners must secure before undertaking certain types of work on a designated building. Historical Buildings By-law

The Historical Buildings By-Law Establishes the Historical Buildings Inventory: List of approx. 500 properties that City Council has identified as possibly having heritage value Historical Buildings Committee has not evaluated these properties Properties on this list are not restricted in any way, but are monitored for demolition. A demolition permit will be pending evaluation of the property by the HBC, who will advise Council. Owners can request designation or to be removed from this list Historical Buildings By-law

Conservation List Site is designated by City Council Site has been researched and evaluated by the Historical Bldgs. Committee Site is protected from demolition Certain repairs or alterations are subject to approval and require a Heritage Permit Inventory Site is not designated Site has not been researched or formally evaluated Site is protected from demolition No restrictions or approvals required for alterations or repairs Site is eligible for financial assistance Owner can request delisting of site Site is not eligible for financial assistance Owner can request removal from Inventory, OR Designation Historical Buildings By-law

Financial Assistance Grant Programs are periodically available to encourage building repair and restoration. The City also has a Heritage Conservation Tax Credit program, which waives municipal taxes for up to 10 years on commercial properties. It works best for long-term rehabilitation projects that will see a marked increase in assessed property value at completion. Since 1995 over $40 million in incentives have been awarded to property owners and over $130 million have been invested by owners doing renovations. Historical Buildings By-law

Point Douglas from Red River ca. 1890 Case Study: South Point Douglas

South Point Douglas Heritage Stock The South Point Douglas Neighbourhood enjoys a relatively high percentage of buildings with heritage significance. As one of Winnipeg's earliest districts, the neighbourhood traces the early growth and development of our city. Due to its early foundations as a prestigious residential neighbourhood; and later as industrial area, a unique diversity of building typologies, styles and uses can be seen. Stately homes rest a few blocks from sprawling institutional buildings. Although the neighbourhood has experienced both triumph and decline, the heritage character that has remained tells a rich story. There are currently 4 properties on the City of Winnipeg s Conservation List; and 24 on the City s Inventory of Historical Buildings.

Designated Sites (on Conservation List): 1. CPR Station 2. Lighthouse Mission 3. Alloway and Champion Block 4. Firehall No. 3

Designated Sites (on Conservation List): Former Canada Pacific Railway Station 181 Higgins Avenue Built 1904 Designation: National Historic Site, Provincial Heritage Site, C.O.W. Grade II Protected interior spaces: Rotunda brass doors leading to the concourse

Designated Sites (on Conservation List): Lighthouse Mission 669 Main Street Built 1913 Designation: Grade II

Designated Sites (on Conservation List): Alloway and Champion Building 667 Main Street Built 1905 Designation: Grade III

Designated Sites (on Conservation List): Firehall No. 3 56 Maple Street Built 1904 Designation: Grade II Protected Interior spaces: Interior finishes and partitions Tin ceilings

Sites on Historic Buildings Inventory:

Inventory Structure J.R. Watkins Company Warehouse 90 Annabella Street Built 1914

Inventory Structure Ellis House 43 Boyle Street Built 1900

Inventory Structure Ellis Duplex 54 Boyle Street Built 1907

Inventory Structure Lord Terrace 58 Boyle Street Built 1882

Inventory Structure J. Hardy House 59 Boyle Street Built 1902

Inventory Structure J.A. Rowe House 41 Curtis Street Built 1900

Inventory Structure D. McLachlan House 43 Curtis Street Built 1882

Inventory Structure C. Ellis House 55 Dewdney Street Built 1883

Inventory Structure T. Perkins House 306 Edwin Street Built 1900

Inventory Structure T. Eaton Company Warehouse 130 Galt Street Built 1927

Inventory Structure J. Burridge House 99 George Avenue Built 1893

Inventory Structure M. Zarref Duplex 57 Heaton Avenue Built 1905

Inventory Structure G. Johnson House 59 Heaton Avenue Built 1894

Inventory Structure Former German Club 61 Heaton Avenue Built 1904

Inventory Structure Olgilvie Mills Office 55 Higgins Avenue Built 1950

Inventory Structure J.W. Ackland House 74 Higgins Avenue Built 1889

Inventory Structure Richelieu Hotel 114 Higgins Avenue Built 1903

Inventory Structure H. Fry House 134 Higgins Avenue Built 1883

Inventory Structure Braunstein Block 148 Higgins Avenue Built 1913

Inventory Structure Wolseley Hotel 186 Higgins Avenue Built 1904

Inventory Structure D. McDonald House 45 Lily Street Built 1893

Inventory Structure Our Lady of Lourdes Church 95 MacDonald Avenue Built 1905

Inventory Structure Frankfurter Terrace 40 Martha Street Built 1883

Inventory Structure City Hydro Sub-Station 541 Waterfront Drive Built 1906

Conservation Strategies Hard Approaches Heritage Status is currently the only existing regulatory tool to conserve and monitor buildings in the City of Winnipeg Buildings on the Conservation List have highest level of protection so generally they are not under threat. They are wellestablished as significant structures. Buildings on Inventory are more indeterminate in their heritage status. They can remain on Inventory (protection from demolition); be removed from Inventory (permit demolition); or apply for designation (Higher level of protection, eligible for funding The City of Winnipeg only has the jurisdiction to designate physical structures; not land

Conservation Strategies Soft Approaches Interpretive strategies Tours (walking, theatrical, etc.) Plaque programs Secondary Plans can include guidelines that work towards encouraging conservation of general characteristics of the area (i.e. suggested setbacks, massing, uses, typologies of buildings, etc.) In tandem with heritage designations of specific sites, they can provide

Discussion.

City of Winnipeg Planning, Property and Development Department Planning and Land Use Division Heritage Unit http://www.winnipeg.ca/ppd/historic/historic.stm