Designed by local architects John Woodman and Raymond Marwood-Elton Carey, the Paris Building was erected by Carter-Halls-Aldinger on behalf of Léon Honnorat (?-1929) of the Paris Canadian Investment Company. The building, measuring 88 feet by 135 feet, was constructed in two stages; its first five storeys were put up in 1915 and the upper six were added in 1917. The work was overseen by Honnorat's representative in Winnipeg, Marie Joseph Alain Magon de la Giclais.
Through the years, the Paris Building housed a variety of businesses and organizations, including Dingwall’s Jewellers, Shea’s Custom Tailors, a modeling school, travel agency, architect, offices of the West Jewish News, and the Western Canada Insurance Underwriters’ Association. Aside from incidental renovations, the building has mostly retained its appearance from 1917. The building, now a municipally-designated historic site, was recognized with Heritage Winnipeg Preservation Awards in 1988 and 2004.
Paris Building (May 1960) by John H. Warkentin
Source: John Warkentin Fonds, 2009-029/003, ASC16526, York University
Paris Building (June 2011)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough
Paris Building (December 2021)
Source: George PennerSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.89451, W97.14130
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: John Woodman (1861-1944)
Memorable Manitobans: Raymond Marwood-Elton Carey (1883-1975)
Manitoba Business: Carter-Halls-Aldinger
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Municipally Designated Historic Sites
“French capitalist,” Manitoba Free Press, 4 June 1914, page 7.
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 419/1915, City of Winnipeg Archives.
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 488/1917, City of Winnipeg Archives.
Paris Building (259 Portage Avenue), City of Winnipeg Historical Buildings Committee, October 1980.
We thank George Penner, Patrice Groulx, and Murray Peterson for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 10 October 2024
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