Manitoba Historical Society |
- About Us
- Programs
- Manitoba History
- MHS Resources
PublicationsFeaturesHistoric Sites of Manitoba
Memorable Manitobans
War Memorials in Manitoba
History in Winnipeg Street Names
History in Manitoba School Names
Manitoba Communities
Manitoba Photographers
Walking Tours
Personal Memoirs
Manitoba Bricks and Blocks
Events in Manitoba History
1911 Census Data
Other Features
Members Area
- Contact Us
Manitoba
History
No. 89
MHS
Annual
General
Meeting
MHS
Spring
Field Trip
MHS
Summer
Field Trip
MHS
Fall
Field Trip
War
Memorials
in Manitoba
This Old
Elevator
Abandoned
Manitoba
Memorable
Manitobans
Historic Sites
of Manitoba
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Great West Life Building / Chamber of Commerce Building (177 Lombard Avenue, Winnipeg)
Constructed by local builder C. W. Sharp between 1909 and 1911, this building on Lombard Avenue in Winnipeg was designed by one of Manitoba’s foremost architects, J. D. Atchison, who had trained and practiced in Chicago. Built as the Great West Life Assurance Company’s first permanent headquarters, its construction materials were principally of Canadian origin. The neo-classical façade is of Kootenay marble from British Columbia, a quality material rarely used for prairie office buildings. Originally raised as a four-storey structure with provisions for an additional ten floors, only four storeys were added in 1922-1923. Incorporated in 1891, Great West Life was for many years the only Winnipeg-based life insurance company, and was symbolic of Manitoba’s growing importance in Canadian affairs. As one of the nation’s leading life insurance firms, the company moved to larger new quarters in 1959. A plaque is mounted on the southwest corner of the building.
Great West Life Building (September 2015)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough
Great West Life Building Plaque (2009)
Source: City of WinnipegSite Location (lat/long): N49.89638, W97.13775
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Manitoba Business: Great-West Life Assurance Company
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Provincially Designated Historic Sites
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Municipally Designated Historic Sites
Sources:
Great West Life Building (177 Lombard Avenue), Manitoba Historic Resources Branch
Information for this page was provided by The City of Winnipeg’s Planning, Property and Development Department, which acknowledges the contribution of the Government of Manitoba through its Heritage Grants Program.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 12 September 2015
Back to top of page
Historic Sites of Manitoba
This is a collection of historic sites in Manitoba compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society.
Browse lists of:
Museums/Archives | Buildings | Monuments | Cemeteries | Locations | OtherPlease note that inclusion in this collection does not mean that a particular site has special status or protection. Some sites are on private property and permission must be secured from the owner prior to visiting.
Site information is provided by the Manitoba Historical Society as a free public service only for non-commercial purposes.
Search Tips | Suggest a Site | FAQ | Acknowledgements
Send inquiries to the MHS Webmaster.
|
To report an error on the above page, please contact the MHS Webmaster. Home | Terms & Conditions | FAQ | Contact Us | Privacy Policy | Donations Policy © 1998-2019 Manitoba Historical Society. All rights reserved. |