Heritage Winnipeg recently held its 40th Annual Preservation Awards to honour the people and projects that preserve Winnipeg\u2019s built heritage.<\/p>\n
Winning a Residential Conservation Award was the Roslyn Square Apartments.<\/p>\n
Built in the early 20th century, the five-storey Roslyn Court Apartments, as it then was called, was one of the largest and most luxurious apartment blocks in the city at that time.<\/p>\n
Situated on the corner of Roslyn and Osborne within sight of the provincial legislative building, the Roslyn Court had red brick Queen Anne Revival facades, topped with a quirky roof line of red and green tiles.<\/p>\n
Richard Morantz, president and CEO of Globe Capital Management, which owns the Roslyn, says it comprises two buildings that are attached to form an interior courtyard.<\/p>\n
Now a designated National Historic Site, much of the building is relatively unchanged, including its copper cage elevator, one of the oldest elevators in Canada.<\/p>\n
Maintaining Roslyn Square is an ongoing project, says Morantz.<\/p>\n
For example, almost 600 uniquely shaped windows had to be replaced.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe job took more than two years to complete over two summers,\u201d says Morantz.<\/p>\n
Keeping the building going has been \u201ca labour of love.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut it\u2019s been well worth it. We\u2019re very proud of what we\u2019ve been able to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Fort Garry Hotel, the last of Winnipeg grand old railway hotels, won Heritage Winnipeg\u2019s Commercial Conservation Award.<\/p>\n
Located near the intersection of Portage and Main, the Fort Garry was built by the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway and was opened at a grand ball in 1913.<\/p>\n
Heritage Winnipeg recognized the Fort Garry in 2021 as well as 2026. The most recent award was presented in recognition of its preservation of the Oval Room and mezzanine, Vice-Regal Suite and the limestone exterior and copper roof.<\/p>\n
The hotel almost didn\u2019t get this far. In the late 1980s, the building faced serious decline and there were questions about its future.<\/p>\n
However, managing partner Ida Albo has worked to return the Fort Garry to a going concern.<\/p>\n
Guest rooms, the lobby and other public areas have all been revitalized, and with respect for the hotel\u2019s architectural integrity.<\/p>\n
Much of the restoration and preservation work was done by Toronto interior designer Hannivan and Company.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur involvement with the Fort Garry Hotel goes back at least 25 years to when my wife and partner Patti Hannivan and I were contacted by Ida and her partner to carry out a study on the original colours and finishes on all of the principal banquet and entertainment spaces on the seventh floor,\u201d says David Hannivan. \u201cOnce the study was completed to everyone\u2019s satisfaction \u2013 meaning all levels of heritage and conservation in three levels of government \u2013 we proceeded with the actual physical restoration of the seventh floor spaces.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hannivan worked with local painters who had been hired for the job.<\/p>\n
\u201cI taught the crew how to do the more complex traditional finishes, such as gilding and patina glazing,\u201d says Hannivan.\u00a0 \u201cOnce the local painters had learned the traditional painting and finishing techniques, they were able to carry on when the restoration moved down to the main lobby and the Provencher Ballroom.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Ches-Way Apartments, located in the residential Wolseley neighbourhood, won a Residential Conservation Award.<\/p>\n
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HERITAGE WINNIPEG \u2014 The Ches-Way Apartments, located in the residential Wolseley neighbourhood, won a Residential Conservation Award. Like Roslyn Square, Ches-Way comprises two buildings. One is a two-and-a-half-storey wood-frame house that was built early in the 20th century. The other half is a two-and-a-half-storey apartment block behind the house that was built in 1930.<\/p>\n
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Like Roslyn Square, Ches-Way comprises two buildings. One is a two-and-a-half-storey wood-frame house that was built early in the 20th century.<\/p>\n
The other half is a two-and-a-half-storey apartment block behind the house that was built in 1930.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A small fire that broke out on a wooden fire escape in 2018 spread and damaged several apartments.<\/p>\n
When the fire marshal inspected the damage, he saw the decrepit state of the ill-maintained building and immediately ordered it evacuated and bordered up.<\/p>\n
Chris Knight and Tom Monteyne, architects with Monteyne Architecture Works Inc., bought the Ches-Way in 2023 and set to work restoring it.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe stripped out everything and added a corridor that connects both buildings,\u201d says Knight. \u201cWe also installed a new four-storey stairwell.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reopened to tenants in October 2025, the Ches-Way now contains12 new apartments.<\/p>\n
There is also a new roof on the house to accommodate a two-bedroom attic apartment and a new roof terrace on the top of the apartment block.<\/p>\n
Other Heritage Winnipeg award winners are:<\/p>\n
The Saddlery Building, near Winnipeg\u2019s original Market Square, won a Commercial Conservation Award;
\nLaurie Goetz, long-time owner of the historic Purple House in suburban East Kildonan, won a Distinguished Service Award; and
\nJordan Makichuk won the Youth Award for researching and documenting history for more than a decade.<\/p>\n