Virtual Heritage Winnipeg
Home Contact Sitemap Search Help
Virtual Tour Gallery Vignettes Links
The Exchange District

Vignettes / The Exchange District / Main

Royal Bank of Canada Building

Enlarge text:  smaller  |  larger

The Royal Bank was the last major financial institution to open Winnipeg premises. Although the Royal's history in eastern Canada went back to 1869, the Montreal-based bank did not venture west to Winnipeg until 1906. The bank initially leased quarters on the east side of Main Street north of Bannatyne Avenue at 445 Main Street in the Forum Block.  Shortly after, it purchased the Imperial Dry Goods Block on West Main south of Bannatyne for $200,000. Redevelopment of the site was delayed during a recession in 1907-08.

Bankers' Row on Main between Portage and William avenues had been quickly filling with neoclassical structures occupied by insurance, trust and loan companies as well as banks.  To make its mark in this competitive context, the Royal opted to build Winnipeg's only Italian Renaissance palazzo-style bank and to use the prestigious American firm of Carrère and Hastings.

more...



1907


2004

 


Year Built Heritage Status Date Material Floors/Square footage
Built in 1900 and redeveloped in 1911. NHS, Municipal, 1997, grade II Based on Italian Renaissance or palazzo style, pink granite over steel frame with bronze grills on doors and windows. 4 storeys/24,675 total floor space

Original Use Present Use Address Architect
Bank Office space and dance studio. 460 Main Street J.H. Cadham, 1900; J.H.G. Russell, 1909; Carrère and Hastings (New York City) with Eustace G. Bird (Toronto), 1909.

 


NA

 

top


about this site  :  credits  :  Français