This five-storey brick building on Portage Avenue in Winnipeg, measuring 175 feet by 100 feet, was built in 1915 for the Ford Motor Company. Opened in July 1916, it received parts from the Ford manufacturing plant at Windsor, Ontario to assemble 100-125 complete motor vehicles per day for sale across western Canada. The ground floor had a garage, showroom, stockroom, service and sales offices aimed at buyers in Winnipeg. The second floor had general office and a bulk stockroom for buyers outside of Winnipeg. There was a repair shop on the third floor, an assembly plant on the fourth floor, and storage space on the top floor.
The plant closed in September 1941 due to restrictions on the production of automobiles for domestic and civilian markets during the Second World War. All Canadian assembly was consolidated at Windsor, Ontario. In 1942, the building was purchased by the provincial government and converted into the Manitoba Technical Institute. It was later used as a textbook repository by the Department of Education, who named it in commemoration of civil servant Robert Fletcher.
Restoration of the building was recognized with a Conservation Award from Heritage Winnipeg.
Postcard view of the Fletcher Building when it was a motor vehicle assembly plant (1920s) by Charles I. Meyers
Source: Rob McInnes, WP1599
Manitoba Technical Institute (no date)
Source: Archives of Manitoba, Highways Branch Fonds, GR8372, photo M125a
Manitoba Technical Institute (no date)
Source: Archives of Manitoba, Highways Branch Fonds, GR8372, photo M125b
Fletcher Building (October 2014)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough
Fletcher Building (May 2019)
Source: George PennerSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.88376, W97.18312
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: Robert Fletcher (1873-1963)
Manitoba Organization: Red River College
Ford of Canada plant—cars and trucks were once assembled in today’s Robert Fletcher Building (part 1) by Bruce Cherney, Winnipeg Real Estate News, 28 February 2013.
Ford of Canada plant—150 Model Ts were produced daily in company’s Portage and Wall building (part 2) by Bruce Cherney, Winnipeg Real Estate News, 7 March 2013.
Ford of Canada plant—railway cars brought the parts that were assembled into complete vehicles (part 3) by Bruce Cherney, Winnipeg Real Estate News, 14 March 2013.
“Malcolmson is confident trade will be normal,” Winnipeg Tribune, 15 April 1916, page 11.
“Ford's make move in one day, and build up record,” Winnipeg Tribune, 22 April 1916, page 16.
“Ford building in Winnipeg to be opened July 20,” Winnipeg Tribune, 15 July 1916, page 11.
“Ford assembly plant is well worth a visit,” Winnipeg Tribune, 10 February 1917, page 35.
“Industry in Winnipeg and district,” Winnipeg Tribune, 7 February 1920, page 49.
“Ford Motor Co. closes local assembly plant,” Winnipeg Tribune, 25 September 1941, page 13.
Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant (Robert Fletcher Building), Municipally Designated Sites in Winnipeg, City of Winnipeg.
We thank Rob McInnes, George Penner, and Glen Toews for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 21 March 2025
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