The Fortune Building had fallen into considerable disrepair in recent years and was in danger of being demolished.  As fate would have it, a new owner intent on returning the structure to it’s original exterior arrived at the ‘eleventh hour,’ and the building was given a new life.

The Fortune Building was built in 1882-83 in the High Victorian Italianate style, and is a fine example of the quintessential commercial buildings of the late 19th century.  It is one of the oldest functioning commercial buildings in Winnipeg, and as originally programmed, has commercial units on the ground floor with two floors of office space above. 

With the addition of an elevator and conforming public washrooms, the building is now fully accessible.  In order to maintain the historic exterior facades, the previously uninsulated building was completely insulated from the inside.  Combined with all new windows & exterior doors and an upgraded, insulated roof,  the Fortune Building now has a building envelope consistent with contemporary building envelope energy standards.

General Contractor:  Jilmark Construction, Winnipeg
Photography:  Lindsay Reid Photo