Historic Sites of Manitoba: Bright and Johnston Building / MacKenzie Block (141 Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg)

In 1898, wholesale grocers Albert Bright and Kenneth Johnston acquired and renovated a three-storey warehouse at 137 Bannatyne Avenue. Five years later, they commissioned local architect J. H. G. Russell to design a four-storey building at adjacent 141 Bannatyne, connected to 137 by an enclosed driveway and loading dock. It was built by Philip Burnett and Sinclair Balsor Ritchie. The entire building became known as the Bright and Johnston Building. After the business partnership dissolved in 1908, the Bright and Sons firm continued to occupy 141 Bannatyne until it was taken over in the 1920s. A subsequent occupant was W. L. MacKenzie and Company that specialized in bakers’ supplies. The company left the site in the 1970s. Restoration projects at the building, a municipally-designated historic site, were recognized with Heritage Winnipeg Conservation Awards in 1998 and 2019.

MacKenzie Block (April 2011) Source: Gordon Goldsborough MacKenzie Block (April 2017) Source: George Penner Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.89751, W97.13608 denoted by symbol on the map above

See also:

Memorable Manitobans: Albert Bright (1854-1925)

Memorable Manitobans: Kenneth John Johnston (1859-1953)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Swiss Building (137 Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Municipally Designated Historic Sites

Sources:

MacKenzie Block / Bright and Johnston Building (141 Bannatyne Avenue), City of Winnipeg Historical Buildings Committee, October 1992.

We thank George Penner for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 6 March 2025

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