Historic Sites of Manitoba: Manitoba Medical Service Building / Manitoba Blue Cross Building (599 Empress Street, Winnipeg)

This modernist structure on Empress Street, near Polo Park, in Winnipeg was designed by the architectural firm of Libling Michener and Associates and built in 1959 by the Commonwealth Construction Company. It was intended as the administrative office for the Manitoba Medical Service. Originally a one-storey building, a second floor was added later. In 2005, the building was purchased by Manitoba Blue Cross and renovated the following year.

Aerial view of Manitoba Medical Service Building (no date) Source: Archives of Manitoba, Government photographs (CH 0267), GR3552, 67-2571 Manitoba Blue Cross Building (February 2019) Source: Nathan Kramer Manitoba Blue Cross Building (January 2023) Source: George Penner Manitoba Blue Cross Building (January 2023) Source: George Penner Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.88407, W97.19601 denoted by symbol on the map above

See also:

Manitoba Business: Libling Michener and Associates / LM Architectural Group

Manitoba Business: Carter-Halls-Aldinger / Commonwealth Construction Company

Manitoba Organization: Manitoba Hospital Service Association / Manitoba Medical Service / Manitoba Blue Cross

Sources:

“MMS plans new office,” Winnipeg Tribune, 7 April 1960, page 34.

This page was prepared by George Penner, Nathan Kramer, and Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 14 January 2023

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