This 2½-storey frame dwelling on Burrows Avenue in Winnipeg was built in 1907 for M. Hawryzy. Its early years saw use as an over-crowded apartment block, housing 30 people across multiple family units (1911). Occupancy levels decreased during the First World War, with an offering of two-room and four-room rental suites (1916). It retained the two-suite configuration into 1919 and was named Moore Apartments that same year.
By 1921, occupancy was split among four suites. It was renamed Wilson Apartments around 1925 and had three family suites along with residential quarters for a janitor (1926). By the 1950s, the suite count had grown to five. It remained a multi-unit rental property into the 1990s.
Since being converted back into a single dwelling, the building suffered arson fires until it was destroyed by one on 3 March 2024.
Former Wilson Apartments (November 2022)
Source: Nathan Kramer
Former Wilson Apartments (November 2022)
Source: Nathan KramerSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.91850, W97.14375
denoted by symbol on the map above
1911 Canada census, Automated Genealogy.
1921 and 1926 Canada censuses, Library and Archives Canada.
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 1473/1907, City of Winnipeg Archives.
“Rentals - Unfurnished suites [4 rooms and bath ...],” Winnipeg Tribune, 20 May 1916, page 38.
“Unfurnished suites [2 Roomed suite in small block, 4 roomed suite in small block],” Winnipeg Tribune, 22 November 1916, page 29.
Western Canada Fire Underwriters’ Association fire insurance plans, Winnipeg - Series 2 - Volume 2 - Sheet 281, Archives of Manitoba.
“To let - unfurnished suites [Moore Apts 518 Burrows ...],” Winnipeg Free Press, 13 August 1919, page 15.
“To let - unfurnished suites [Moore Apts 518 Burrows ...],” Winnipeg Free Press, 2 June 1920, page 21.
“To let - unfurnished suites [Moore Apts 518 Burrows ...],” Winnipeg Free Press, 28 September 1920, page 20.
“Former slumlord jailed for ignoring work orders,” Winnipeg Free Press, 1 March 1991, page 3.
Find a Postal Code, Canada Post.
Henderson’s Winnipeg and Brandon Directories, Henderson Directories Limited, Peel’s Prairie Provinces, University of Alberta Libraries.
“Two Winnipeg homes to be demolished following overnight fires,” CBC News, 3 March 2024.
Preparation of this page was supported, in part, by the Gail Parvin Hammerquist Fund of the City of Winnipeg.
We thank Jordan Makichuk for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Nathan Kramer and Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 5 March 2024
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