This Winnipeg site was acquired by the D. W. Bole Drug Company around February 1902. The property, which measured 66 feet wide and 100 feet deep, was across the street from the company’s existing building next to the Oddfellows Building. Plans for a five-storey, brick and stone warehouse (with basement) were drawn up by local architect J. H. G. Russell, with construction commencing around early April 1903. Work continued through the summer months, delayed in part due to a labour shortages in both men and materiel. Completed around October at a cost of reportedly near $50,000, it featured such modern amenities as electric elevators. The southern-most arch along Princess Street initially featured a driveway into the main floor, though it was later removed. The premises were later occupied by Canadian Goodwill Industries (CGI). Formerly the Welfare Department of Grace United Church, the social service, aid, and employment initiative was re-branded as CGI on 4 April 1931. CGI had previously occupied sites at 311 Notre Dame Avenue, 817 Sherbrook Street, and 88 Arthur Street before relocating here in October 1934.
It became a municipally-designated historic building in 2015.
Canadian Goodwill Industries Building (1960s)
Source: Archives of Manitoba, Architectural Survey - Winnipeg, Princess Street, AP1.
Canadian Goodwill Industries Building (October 2016)
Source: Nathan Kramer
Canadian Goodwill Industries Building (April 2021)
Source: George PennerSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.89750, W97.14310
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: David Wesley Bole (1856-1933)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Grace Methodist Church / Grace United Church (266 Notre Dame Avenue, Winnipeg)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Municipally Designated Historic Sites
“New warehouse,” Manitoba Free Press, 24 February 1902, page 8.
“Great warehouse buildings,” Manitoba Free Press, 7 February 1903, page 10.
“New buildings,” Winnipeg Tribune, 25 March 1903, page 3.
“Cost of building,” Manitoba Free Press, 28 March 1903, page 19.
“[Photo caption] Winnipeg’s new warehouses,” Manitoba Free Press, 28 March 1903, page 19.
“Fine sites bought,” Manitoba Free Press, 6 April 1903, page 6.
“Western wholesale trade,” Manitoba Free Press, 2 May 1903, page 21.
“A serious delay in contract work,” Winnipeg Tribune, 27 June 1903, page 10.
“Building and real estate,” Winnipeg Tribune, 8 August 1903, page 10.
“New buildings reach large figure,” Winnipeg Tribune, 26 August 1903, page 7.
“Wouldn’t tell his Winnipeg property,” Winnipeg Tribune, 12 September 1903, page 3.
“Rev. J. R. Craig will preach on communism,” Winnipeg Tribune, 11 April 1931, page 12.
“Welfare work of ”Goodwill” plant grows,” Winnipeg Tribune, 15 August 1931, page 16.
“Social service organization makes advance,” Winnipeg Tribune, 13 October 1934, page 23.
Bole Drug Company Warehouse (70 Princess Street), City of Winnipeg Historical Buildings and Resources Committee, February 2015.
We thank George Penner for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Nathan Kramer and Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 6 January 2022
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