This three-storey brick building on Main Street in Winnipeg, measuring 22 feet by 70 feet, was designed by local architect James Chisholm and built in 1902 at a cost of about $9,000 by Davidson Brothers for fish merchant William John Guest.
In its original configuration, the building contained a single retail space on its main floor and 15 residential apartments split between the two upper floors. In 1903, a one-storey brick addition, measuring 22 feet by 40 feet, was constructed at the rear at a cost of about $1,500.
In 1909, a three-storey brick addition, measuring 15 feet by 70 feet, was designed by architect George William Northwood and built at a cost of about $5,500 on the south side of the building along Main Street by contractor James Gerald Latimer.
In 1934, repairs to the building were completed by contractor William James Lailey at a cost of about $500.
The building was badly damaged by fire on 8 March 2024.
Guest Block (1902)
Source: Manitoba Free Press, 12 November 1902, page 8.
Guest Block (January 2018)
Source: George Penner
Guest Block (March 2024)
Source: George Penner
Guest Block (February 2025)
Source: George PennerSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.90204, W97.13665
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: James Chisholm (1841-1920)
Manitoba Business: Davidson Brothers
Memorable Manitobans: William John Guest (1852-1940)
Memorable Manitobans: George William Northwood (1876-1959)
Memorable Manitobans: James Gerald Latimer (1842-1927)
Memorable Manitobans: William James “Jim” Lailey (1879-1951)
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 422/1902, City of Winnipeg Archives.
“New fish warehouse for W. J. Guest,” Manitoba Free Press, 12 November 1902, page 8.
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 1151/1903, City of Winnipeg Archives.
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 1941/1909, City of Winnipeg Archives.
“Building notes,” Winnipeg Tribune, 5 May 1934, page 2.
Guest Block, 596-598 Main Street, Winnipeg Historical Buildings & Resources Committee, October 2015.
“Building in downtown Winnipeg expected to be a complete loss after Friday night fire,” CBC News, 8 March 2024.
This page was prepared by George Penner, Nathan Kramer, Jordan Makichuk, and Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 17 February 2025
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