This three-storey brick and stone building at the northwest corner of Princess Street and Alexander Avenue in Winnipeg, measuring 66 feet by 90 feet, was designed by local architects Charles Arnold Barber and Earle William Barber. It was built between 1882 and 1883 for businessman William Bathgate at a cost of about $35,000. In its original configuration, the building contained three retail spaces on the main floor while the second and third floors contained office and warehouse space.
Bathgate owned the building until 1888 when a Quebec-based financial firm took control of it. In 1903, a three-storey brick addition, measuring 27 feet by 67 feet, was added to the rear of the building. It was designed by local architect James McDiarmid and built by contractor William James Hodgins at a cost of about $6,500.
The block’s long-term occupants included a tent and canvas manufacturer (1891-1926), a foundry (1924-c1973) and a washing machine merchant (1926-c1950). Other tenants have included wholesalers, manufacturers, and commission agents.
The rear addition was demolished in October 2000. The rest of the building has been vacant since around 2001 but became a municipally-designated historic building in October 2004.
Bathgate Block (circa 1903)
Source: Murray Peterson
Bathgate Block (June 2011)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough
Bathgate Block (May 2020)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough
Bathgate Block (January 2025)
Source: Jordan MakichukSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.90267, W97.13934
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: Charles Arnold Barber (1848-1915)
Memorable Manitobans: Earle William Barber (1855-1915)
Memorable Manitobans: William Bathgate (1832-1903)
Memorable Manitobans: James McDiarmid (1855-1934)
Memorable Manitobans: William James Hodgins (1853-1935)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Municipally Designated Historic Sites
“The building boom - Princess Street,” Winnipeg Daily Sun, 20 October 1883, page 4.
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 518/1903, City of Winnipeg Archives.
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 1048/1903, City of Winnipeg Archives.
Winnipeg Fire Insurance Map #19, August 1906, Library and Archives Canada.
Winnipeg Fire Insurance Map #19, December 1910 - revised May 1914, Library and Archives Canada.
Winnipeg fire insurance map, #238 May 1956, City of Winnipeg Archives.
Bathgate Block (242 Princess Street), City of Winnipeg Historical Buildings Committee, October 2004.
The Year Past 2004: Annual Report of the City of Winnipeg Historical Buildings Committee.
We thank Christian Cassidy, George Penner, Darryl Resch, and Murray Peterson for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough and Jordan Makichuk.
Page revised: 12 February 2025
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