This three-storey brick building at the northwest corner of Sutherland Avenue and King Street in Winnipeg, measuring 60 feet by 72 feet, was designed by local architects James Chisholm and Colin Campbell “Cam” Chisholm. It was built in 1913 by contractor Arthur John Bonnett, at a cost of about $35,000, as a warehouse for the B. Shragge Iron and Metal Company owned by Bernhard Shragge.
In 1930, Shragge retired and the company was taken over by his son-in-law Albert Abraham Weingarden (1888-1951). On 21 December 1938, a massive fire swept through the building, gutting the interior. Repairs commenced in January 1939 and were completed by contractor Arthur John Bonnett at a cost of about $10,000. Another disastrous fire occurred on 10 May 1945.
The company operated as Shragge Metals until 1980 when Marvin “Marv” Orloff, whose family business Orloff Metals Limited operated a scrap yard on Higgins Avenue, bought it. At the time of a 2023 site visit, the building had been slightly modified from its original appearance and was still being used by Orloff Metals Limited.
Shragge Iron and Metal Building (no date)
Source: Archives of Manitoba, Jewish Historical Society Collection #2736
Orloff Metals Building (September 2019)
Source: George Penner
Orloff Metals Building (January 2023)
Source: Jordan MakichukSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.90731, W97.13617
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: James Chisholm (1841-1920)
Memorable Manitobans: Colin Campbell “Cam” Chisholm (1883-1936)
Memorable Manitobans: Arthur John Bonnett (1874-1942)
Memorable Manitobans: Bernard Shragge (1861-1941)
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 2386/1913, City of Winnipeg Archives.
“Permits passed $10,000,000 mark,” Winnipeg Tribune, 10 July 1913, page 1.
“Building permits over ten million,” Manitoba Free Press, 11 July 1913, page 18.
“Flames sweep through Princess Street building,” Winnipeg Free Press, 22 December 1938, page 1.
“3 building permits total $13,000,” Winnipeg Free Press, 28 January 1939, page 10.
“Building notes,” Winnipeg Tribune, 4 February 1939, page 4.
“Shragge building swept by flames,” Winnipeg Free Press, 11 May 1945, page 5.
Obituary [Albert A. Weingarden], Winnipeg Tribune, 4 April 1951, page 9.
Winnipeg fire insurance map, #266 May 1956, City of Winnipeg Archives.
“Close-out auction sale of Shragge Metals Ltd.,” Winnipeg Free Press, 4 July 1980, page 5.
400 King Street - Shragge Warehouse by Christian Cassidy, Winnipeg Places.
This page was prepared by George Penner, Jordan Makichuk, and Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 4 August 2025
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.
Browse lists of:
Museums/Archives | Buildings | Monuments | Cemeteries | Locations | OtherInclusion 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.Help us keep history alive!
