Historic Sites of Manitoba: Paterson Block (54 Donald Street, Winnipeg)

This three-storey brick and stone apartment block was designed by local architect John Danley Atchison and built in 1909 by the construction firm of Gibbons and Harris for grain merchant Hugh Savigny Paterson at a cost of $30,000. The 87 by 46 foot building contained six apartments. Paterson lived in a large house immediately north of it until the early 1920s when he moved into a suite in the block. He remained there until around 1938. It was sold in 1936 and, in 1946, sold again. It was converted to condominiums in 1986.

The building became a municipally-designated historic site in 2005.

Paterson Block (May 2011) Source: Gordon Goldsborough Paterson Block (November 2020) Source: George Penner Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.88605, W97.13957 denoted by symbol on the map above

See also:

Memorable Manitobans: John Danley Atchison (1870-1959)

Memorable Manitobans: Hugh Savigny Paterson (1855-1936)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Municipally Designated Historic Sites

Sources:

City of Winnipeg Building Permit 1463/1909, City of Winnipeg Archives.

Apartment House Architecture in Winnipeg to 1915 by David Spector, December 1980.

Paterson Block (54 Donald Street), City of Winnipeg Historical Buildings Committee, May 2005.

Preparation of this page was supported, in part, by the Gail Parvin Hammerquist Fund of the City of Winnipeg.

We thank George Penner and Nathan Kramer for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 4 December 2021

Historic Sites of Manitoba This is a collection of historic sites in Manitoba compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. The information is offered for historical interest only. SEARCH the collection Browse lists of: Museums/Archives | Buildings | Monuments | Cemeteries | Locations | Other Inclusion in this collection does not confer special status or protection. Official heritage designation may only come from municipal, provincial, or federal governments. Some sites are on private property and permission to visit must be secured from the owner. Site information is provided by the Manitoba Historical Society as a free public service only for non-commercial purposes. Send corrections and additions to this page to the MHS Webmaster at webmaster@mhs.mb.ca. Search Tips | Suggest an Historic Site | FAQ Help us keep history alive!