This two-storey orange brick and Tyndall stone trimmed building at the southwest corner of Main Street and Atlantic Avenue in Winnipeg, measuring 34 feet by 96 feet, was designed by local architect Robert R. Duncan. It was built in 1912 by contractor William Horner for grocer William H. Stone at a cost of about $21,000. In its original configuration, the building contained a single retail space on the main floor that was occupied by Stone's grocery store. The second floor contained a meeting hall. It was renamed the Ideal Building in 1919.
In 1916, interior alterations to the building were completed by contractor James A. Hirtle at a cost of about $1,000. Further alterations were completed in 1920 by contractor Arthur John Bonnett at a cost of about $3,000.
At the time of a 2018 site visit, the building was relatively unmodified from its original appearance. It was damaged by a fire in October 2024.
Ideal Building (October 2016)
Source: Kerrin Asmundson
Ideal Building (May 2018)
Source: Jordan Makichuk
Ideal Building after a fire (October 2024)
Source: Jordan Makichuk
Rear of the Ideal Building after a fire (August 2025)
Source: Jordan MakichukSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.92560, W97.12550
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: William Horner (1860-1916)
Memorable Manitobans: Arthur John Bonnett (1874-1942)
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 1596/1912, City of Winnipeg Archives.
“New buildings for city west and north,” Manitoba Free Press, 17 May 1912, page 11.
“Higher value represented in new building,” Winnipeg Tribune, 13 April 1929, page 7.
Henderson’s Winnipeg and Brandon Directories, Henderson Directories Limited, Peel’s Prairie Provinces, University of Alberta Libraries.
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 857/1916, City of Winnipeg Archives.
“Building brisk again,” Manitoba Free Press, 26 September 1916, page 5.
Winnipeg Fire Insurance Map #314, December 1917 [Revised September 1921], Library and Archives Canada.
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 2217/1920, City of Winnipeg Archives.
“New permits - $20,000,” Manitoba Free Press, 21 October 1920, page 9.
“Permits $7,890,000,” Manitoba Free Press, 23 October 1920, page 34.
Winnipeg fire insurance map, #314 January 1957, City of Winnipeg Archives.
We thank Kerrin Asmundson for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Jordan Makichuk.
Page revised: 13 October 2025
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