This two-storey brick brick and stone building on Selkirk Avenue in Winnipeg was constructed in four phases, all designed by local architect Max Zev Blankstein, for owner Onufrey Budnik (1883-1960).
The first floor of the east part was completed first, in 1911. Measuring 23 feet by 46 feet, it was built by contractor J. Milovitch at a cost of about $3,000. The second phase was added in 1920 at a cost of about $8,000. The third phase was added in 1924 as a one-story addition at a cost of about $6,000. The west part, measuring 33 feet by 76 feet, was completed last in 1929 at a cost of about $15,000. The Budnik family maintained ownership of the block until 1986.
The western portion of the building was damaged by fire on 28 March 2024.
Budnik Block (no date)
Source: David Bellhouse
Budnik Block (April 2017)
Source: George Penner
Budnik Block (January 2023)
Source: Jordan Makichuk
Budnik Block after a fire (March 2024)
Source: Jordan Makichuk
Rear view of Budnik Block after a fire (March 2024)
Source: Jordan MakichukSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.91676, W97.14886
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: Max Zev Blankstein (1874-1931)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Chester’s Radio Store (579 Selkirk Avenue, Winnipeg)
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 98/1911, City of Winnipeg Archives.
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 417/1920, City of Winnipeg Archives.
“Many permits issued,” Manitoba Free Press, 24 April 1920, page 3.
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 289/1924, City of Winnipeg Archives.
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 1836/1929, City of Winnipeg Archives.
“Permits run $350,000 ahead of last season,” Manitoba Free Press, 25 May 1929, page 20.
“On Selkirk Avenue,” Winnipeg Tribune, 31 August 1929, page 22.
Winnipeg fire insurance map, #279 May 1956, City of Winnipeg Archives.
Obituary [Onufrey Budnik], Winnipeg Tribune, 28 March 1960, page 22.
“Onufrey Budnyk (1883-1959): A North End Winnipeg Pioneer” by David Bellhouse, no date.
Budnik Block, 594-600 Selkirk Avenue by Murray Peterson, Peterson Projects, December 2009.
Max Blankstein: Architect by Murray Peterson, Winnipeg Architecture Foundation, 2022.
“Crews fight late night fire at convenience store in Winnipeg's North End,” CBC News, 29 March 2024.
“WFPS crews battle pair of structure fires,” Winnipeg Sun, 29 March 2024.
This page was prepared by Nathan Kramer, Jordan Makichuk, Gordon Goldsborough, and George Penner.
Page revised: 14 September 2024
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