This one-storey brick building at the northwest corner of Corydon Avenue and Arbuthnot Street in Winnipeg, measuring 100 feet by 120 feet, was designed by local architect Edward Parkinson. It was built between late 1927 and mid-1928 by the Claydon Construction Company, using structural steel provided by the Manitoba Bridge and Iron Works, for William M. Brennan of the Crescent Garage and Auto Sales Limited at a cost of about $37,000.
The 10,000 square foot building had showroom space that sold Packard, Hudson, and Essex automobiles at the front while the rear was for auto repair.
Through the years, the showroom portion of the building was divided up with part of it used as a retail space while the rest of the showroom and rear of the building became an auto body shop. It has been occupied continuously by Penner Auto Body for over 40 years.
Crescent Auto Sales and Garage Building (1928)
Source: Winnipeg Tribune, 4 April 1928, page 20
Crescent Auto Sales and Garage Building (June 2021)
Source: George Penner
Crescent Auto Sales and Garage Building (October 2022)
Source: Jordan MakichukSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.87031, W97.15530
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: Edward Parkinson (1878-1953)
Manitoba Business: Claydon Brothers Construction Company / Claydon Construction Limited
Manitoba Business: Manitoba Bridge and Iron Works / Manitoba Bridge and Engineering Works
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 4657/1927, City of Winnipeg Archives.
“Building shows big increase,” Winnipeg Tribune, 14 January 1928, page 1.
“Building $50,000 brick garage in winter months,” Manitoba Free Press, 14 January 1928, page 28.
“Great construction year is ahead in Winnipeg; Many new apartments,” Manitoba Free Press, 11 February 1928, page 17.
“New sales and service garage for Ft. Rouge,” Winnipeg Tribune, 4 April 1928, page 20.
“Many visit opening of Crescent Garage,” Winnipeg Tribune, 7 April 1928, page 19.
Biographical Dictionary of Architects in Canada, 1800-1950 by Robert G. Hill, Toronto.
We thank George Penner for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Jordan Makichuk and Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 14 October 2023
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