This plaque, installed on the wheelchair ramp on the south side of the Imperial Bank of Canada Building, commemorates the three-storey Rowand Block built in 1886 at the southwest corner of Portage and Main. Designed for Edward Rowand by local architect Charles Osborn Wickenden, in 1902 the building was increased to five storeys by architects Darling and Pearson. Among its early tenants was lawyer Hugh John Macdonald. The building was demolished in 1974 to make way for the Trizec development. The pediment to the right of the plaque was originally above its main entrance.
Canada Life Building (circa 1903)
Source: An Illustrated Souvenir of Winnipeg by W. A. Martel & Sons.
Rowand Block / Canada Life Building Plaque (2009)
Source: City of Winnipeg
Rowand Block / Canada Life Building Plaque (March 2021)
Source: George PennerSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.89801, W97.13866
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Imperial Bank of Canada Building (441 Main Street, Winnipeg)
Information for this page was provided by The City of Winnipeg’s Planning, Property and Development Department, which acknowledges the contribution of the Government of Manitoba through its Heritage Grants Program.
We thank George Penner for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 5 August 2021
Historic Sites of Manitoba
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