Formerly located on Dufferin Avenue in Winnipeg, a three-storey brick building measuring 64 feet by 82 feet was designed by local architect Max Zev Blankstein. It was built in 1909 by day labour for owner Peter Minuk at a cost of about $27,000. In its original configuration, the building contained three retail spaces on the main floor while the upper two floors were occupied by an assembly hall.
In the early years, the hall hosted weddings, concerts, boxing matches, religious ceremonies, political meetings, and other social events. The hall closed in the mid-1920s leaving only the retail space occupied.
In late 1966, in conjunction with the Lord Selkirk Park housing development, the building, along with surrounding buildings, was purchased by the City of Winnipeg and demolished in the spring of 1967. Dufferin Avenue was rerouted southward to make additional space for the Lord Selkirk Park housing development.
Minuk Block (no date)
Source: Planning, Property & Development, City of Winnipeg
Minuk Block (no date)
Source: Planning, Property & Development, City of Winnipeg
Minuk Block (no date)
Source: Planning, Property & Development, City of WinnipegSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.90935, W97.13651
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: Max Zev Blankstein (1874-1931)
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 1125/1909, City of Winnipeg Archives.
“North Winnipeg buildings,” Manitoba Free Press, 8 May 1909, page 6.
“New business blocks,” Manitoba Free Press, 11 December 1909, page 6.
Winnipeg fire insurance map, #266 September 1917, Library and Archives Canada.
Winnipeg fire insurance map, #266 May 1956, City of Winnipeg Archives.
“City has most of the land,” Winnipeg Tribune, 14 October 1966, page 10.
Max Blankstein: Architect by Murray Peterson, Winnipeg Architecture Foundation, 2022.
We thank Murray Peterson for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Jordan Makichuk and Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 6 March 2024
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