This five-storey reinforced concrete and brick warehouse on Kate Street in Winnipeg, measuring 66 feet by 132 feet, was designed by local architect Frank Robert Evans. It was built in 1909 by contractors Christopher Hickey “Chris” Simpson and William James “Jim” Lailey as a two-storey structure, at a cost of about $38,000, for the Richardson Storage and Forwarding Company. Its officers were John H. Neelands, ? Simpson, ? Irvine, Charles G. Turner, and Walter R. Richardson.
In 1912, the building was expanded with three additional floors designed by Frank Robert Evans. By 1919, the company had been absorbed by the Security Storage Company and used as one of its many warehouses throughout the city. It was intended for general warehousing with cold and heated storage areas. During the 1920s, it was used for the winter storage of automobiles.
Later the home for Adult and Teen Challenge of Central Canada, the evangelical Christian organization revealed plans in early 2025 to convert the top four floors of the building into a 100-bed facility for treatment and supportive housing. A “ghost sign” advertisement for the Security Storage Company is visible on the north, south, and east sides of the building.
Architectural drawing of Richardson Storage Warehouse (1909)
Source: Manitoba Free Press, 25 December 1909, page 7.
The former Security Storage Warehouse (January 2022)
Source: Jordan Makichuk
The former Security Storage Warehouse (January 2025)
Source: George Penner
The former Security Storage Warehouse (January 2025)
Source: George Penner
The former Security Storage Warehouse (January 2025)
Source: George PennerSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.90145, W97.15283
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: Frank Robert Evans (1865-1949)
Memorable Manitobans: Christopher Hickey “Chris” Simpson (1861-1928)
Memorable Manitobans: William James “Jim” Lailey (1879-1951)
Manitoba Business: Security Storage Company
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 3401/1909, City of Winnipeg Archives.
“New storage building,” Manitoba Free Press, 25 December 1909, page 7.
“Dead storage,” Manitoba Free Press, 14 November 1925, page 37.
Henderson’s Winnipeg and Brandon Directories, Henderson Directories Limited, Peel’s Prairie Provinces, University of Alberta Libraries.
Biographical Dictionary of Architects in Canada, 1800-1950 by Robert G. Hill, Toronto.
“Adult and Teen Challenge seeks funds for recovery centre,” Winnipeg Free Press, 2 January 2025.
This page was prepared by Jordan Makichuk, George Penner, and Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 10 February 2025
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