This four-storey brick and stone building on the west side of Garry Street in Winnipeg was built for the Mortgage Company of Canada next door to a competitor, the Canada Permanent Mortage Company. It was designed by the local architectural firm of Pratt and Ross, and built in 1911 by the Kelly-Simpson Construction Company for about $72,000. It was known as the Belgica Block for several decades before being renamed the Garry Block.
The Mortgage Company of Canada remained in the building until 1955, sharing it with the Belgian consulate from 1923 to 1955, among other tenants. The Winnipeg Sun newspaper occupied its third floor in the 1980s. The building was later renovated extensively for medical office space. It is a municipally-designated historic site.
Garry Block (June 2011)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough
Garry Block (November 2020)
Source: George PennerSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.89368, W97.14069
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Manitoba Business: Pratt and Ross
Manitoba Business: Kelly-Simpson Construction Company / National Construction Company
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Municipally Designated Historic Sites
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 1043/1911, City of Winnipeg Archives.
The Garry Block (290 Garry Street), City of Winnipeg Historical Buildings Committee, September 1987.
We thank George Penner for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 23 February 2024
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