Formerly located on Selkirk Avenue in Winnipeg, a three-storey brown brick and Tyndall stone building, measuring 25 feet by 105 feet, was designed by local architect David A. Abramovitch and built in 1914 by day labour, at a cost of about $15,000. It was intended as a hall and offices for the Builder’s Association of North Winnipeg.
Due to the onset of the First World War, the building was largely vacant until 1928 when it was taken over by Benjamin “Ben” Cohen of the Manitoba Upholstering Company. He commissioned local architect Max Zev Blankstein to design alterations to the building at a cost of $2,000. In 1937, a three-storey brick addition, measuring 23.6 feet by 50 feet, was built at a cost of about $8,000.
The building was demolished in 2011 and the site is now vacant.
Former Manitoba Upholstery Warehouse (2011)
Source: Christian Cassidy
Former site of the Manitoba Upholstery Warehouse (November 2024)
Source: Jordan MakichukSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.91291, W97.13593
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: David A. Abramovitch [Abramovich] (1871-1950)
Memorable Manitobans: Benjamin “Ben” Cohen (c1890-1968)
Memorable Manitobans: Max Zev Blankstein (1874-1931)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Alekno Block / Mitchell Block (374-376 Selkirk Avenue, Winnipeg)
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 1212/1914, City of Winnipeg Archives.
“To let-stores and offices,” Manitoba Free Press, 25 February 1927, page 24.
“To let-stores and offices,” Manitoba Free Press, 24 June 1927, page 25.
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 1824/1928, City of Winnipeg Archives.
“New Western Construction,” Manitoba Free Press, 2 June 1928, page 33.
“Building permits show big increase over last year,” Winnipeg Free Press, 10 April 1937, page 20.
Winnipeg fire insurance map, #273 May 1956, City of Winnipeg Archives.
“Sale by tender of property and assets of Manitoba Upholstery Co.,” Winnipeg Free Press, 6 September 1986, page 17.
“Selkirk Avenue loses another tooth” by Christian Cassidy, West End Dumplings, 5 July 2011.
Henderson’s Winnipeg and Brandon Directories, Henderson Directories Limited, Peel’s Prairie Provinces, University of Alberta Libraries.
We thank Christian Cassidy for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Jordan Makichuk.
Page revised: 28 September 2025
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