Located on the north side of Notre Dame Avenue East [now Pioneer Avenue] in Winnipeg, measuring 34 feet wide by 60 feet deep, the three-storey structure’s origin pre-dates 1900. In early 1900, the property was acquired by lawyer and local resident Frank Stayner Nugent who resided and maintained an office at 81 Notre Dame Avenue East. Nugent also dabbled in real estate and commissioned several other structures along the same stretch of road between Portage Avenue and the Red River.
In 1900, the building was altered, adding a stone foundation and brick veneer, and expanded a further 20 feet deep as part of the process for converting it to an apartment block. The work, based on architectural designs of Joseph Greenfield, was undertaken by contractor E. Anderson of the Louise Bridge district [Elmwood] and completed at a cost of about $8,000.
The newly renovated and enlarged building was named the Avalon Block and advertised for rent by October 1900, with amenities including a private hall, two-bedroom suites, a parlour, and kitchen. By 1911, it housed four family units. Occupancy was increased to six suites by 1915. It remained in that configuration into the 1960s. The building was demolished in the 1970s.
Aerial photo of the Avalon Block (1967)
Source: Archives of Manitoba, Government Photographs (CH 0276), GR3552, 67-2567
Avalon Block (no date) by John H. Warkentin
Source: John Warkentin fonds, York UniversitySite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.89335, W97.13326
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: Joseph Greenfield (1845-1910)
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 71/1900, City of Winnipeg Archives.
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 383/1900, City of Winnipeg Archives.
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 771/1903, City of Winnipeg Archives.
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 772/1903, City of Winnipeg Archives.
“City and general [The death occurred yesterday of Zeria Loiselle ...],” Manitoba Morning Free Press, 16 August 1899, page 6.
“Civic works,” Winnipeg Daily Tribune, 24 August 1899, page 4.
“Board of works,” Manitoba Morning Free Press, 19 April 1900, page 3.
“Legal [Frank S. Nugent ...],” Winnipeg Tribune, 9 June 1900, page 6.
“For rent [Notre Dame East - at boarding house],” Winnipeg Daily Tribune, 9 June 1900, page 6.
“To Let [To rent - 2 suites only remain ...],” Manitoba Morning Free Press, 31 October 1900, page 11.
“To Let [To rent - 2 suites only remain ...],” Manitoba Morning Free Press, 2 November 1900, page 9.
“Music [D. Carlis McAllister, of Chicago ...],” Winnipeg Tribune, 19 January 1901, page 6.
“To let - ground floor suite in The Avalon...” Manitoba Free Press, 27 July 1907, page 18.
“Furnished suites [Completely and nicely furnished 4 room suite],” Manitoba Free Press, 18 September 1914, page 15.
“Rentals - Unfurnished suites [The McNeill Realty Co.],” Winnipeg Tribune, 20 August 1917, page 15.
Charles E. Goad Company fonds, Fire Insurance Plans of the City of Winnipeg - Volume 1 - Sheet 55 - revised August 1906, Library and Archives Canada.
Archives of Manitoba fire insurance plan collection, Western Canada Fire Underwriters’ Association fire insurance plans of Winnipeg - Series 2 - Volume 2 - Sheet 204, Archives of Manitoba.
Henderson’s Winnipeg and Brandon Directories, Henderson Directories Limited, Peel’s Prairie Provinces, University of Alberta Libraries.
Preparation of this page was supported, in part, by the Gail Parvin Hammerquist Fund of the City of Winnipeg.
We thank Gordon Goldsborough and Jordan Makichuk for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Nathan Kramer.
Page revised: 17 June 2023
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