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Photos & Coordinates | Sources
Located on the west side of Sherbrook Street in Winnipeg, the beginnings of the Investor Block date to June 1906 with the a 1½-storey, iron-clad structure that was being used as an office by the Canadian Investor Company (CIC) along with a print shop for its Canadian Investor monthly publication.
In October 1906, co-owners Richard Emerson Blakeway (contractor and Vice-President of the Royal Lumber and Fuel Company) and John Orval Dunford (of the CIC) commissioned an overhaul and enlargement of the building to be undertaken by contractor Albert J. Carson at a cost of $2,500. The work included modifications to existing office space, along with a two-storey expansion to include two commercial venues along with apartments measuring 26 feet by 44 feet and a one-storey 22 feet by 44 feet office space, all set on a concrete foundation. In April 1907, the CIC commissioned Carson to undertake further work on the structure, expanding the foundation and adding a machine room that measured 22 feet by 44 feet, with anticipated costs listed at $800.
In November 1908, alterations and improvements were commissioned by contractor-owner Robert N. Biggar (1865-1937) based on plans by architect Edward George Sherwood, adding a full stone basement, various improvements to the apartments, and adding an apartment over the earlier rearward addition. Work was completed by day labourers at a cost of about $7,500, with a brick veneer added to the building in May 1909 for a further $1,500.
By 1911, the building featured nine apartments. In 1927, this total was increased to 12 apartments with the conversion of a ground level store space into three apartments, with work completed by the Smith Construction Company at a cost of $2,000. The building remained as an operational apartment block through the late 1960s. It was demolished in 1970 to make way for the extension of Cumberland Avenue northwest from Balmoral Street (parallel with Notre Dame Avenue) to Maryland Street, which was completed that year.
Letterhead stationary view of the north elevation of the Investor Block (no date)
Source: Building Permit 4492/1929, City of Winnipeg ArchivesSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.90058, W97.15848
denoted by symbol on the map above
1906 Canada census, Automated Genealogy.
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 3087/1906, City of Winnipeg Archives.
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 805/1907, City of Winnipeg Archives.
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 1465/1908, City of Winnipeg Archives.
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 527/1909, City of Winnipeg Archives.
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 2663/1927, City of Winnipeg Archives.
Charles E. Goad Company fonds, Insurance Plan of the City of Winnipeg 1906 - Sheet 63, Library and Archives Canada.
Charles E. Goad Company fonds, Insurance Plan of the City of Winnipeg 1914 - Sheet 63, Library and Archives Canada.
Companies Office corporation documents (CCA 0059), 149C - The Canadian Investor Company Limited, GR6427, Archives of Manitoba.
Companies Office corporation documents (CCA 0059), 57R - Royal Lumber and Fuel Company Limited, GR6427, Archives of Manitoba.
“The Canadian Investor [...],” Winnipeg Tribune, 9 June 1906, page 6.
“New companies,” Manitoba Free Press, 25 June 1906, page 9.
“Female Help - Wanted - Six girls for folding,” Manitoba Free Press, 28 March 1907, page 14.
“Articles for sale & wanted [Wanted - Photos of Winnipeg old and new ...],” Manitoba Free Press, 3 July 1907, page 37.
“Anderson-Taylor,” Manitoba Free Press, 29 June 1910 page 13.
“Birthday congratulations to: [... Robert N. Biggar],” Manitoba Free Press, 12 July 1930, page 11.
Obituary [Robert Biggar], Winnipeg Tribune, 3 December 1937, page 7.
Death notice [Robert N. Biggar], Winnipeg Free Press, 30 November 1937, page 26.
“104 - Suites for rent - unfurnished [3 rm. ste. - self cont., adults, parking. 734 Sherbrook],” Winnipeg Free Press, 22 September 1969, pge 32.
“Metro spending reduced,” Winnipeg Free Press, 5 May 1970, page 18.
“Streets torn up - here’s where and why,” Winnipeg Free Press, 9 July 1970, page 3.
“[Photo caption],” Winnipeg Free Press, 30 September 1970, page 3.
“Province approves Metro land deals,” Winnipeg Free Press, 15 January 1971, page 52.
Henderson’s Winnipeg and Brandon Directories, Henderson Directories Limited, Peel’s Prairie Provinces, University of Alberta Libraries.
Preparation of this page was supported, in part, by the Gail Parvin Hammerquist Fund of the City of Winnipeg.
We thank Gordon Goldsborough for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Nathan Kramer.
Page revised: 24 June 2023
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