History

According to its history, South Point Douglas is an area that experienced an immense decline in infrastructure and population. Most of the buildings were built before the year 1949 and although some may still be in good condition, most of them are required for maintenance. The city of Winnipeg has been divided into four categories of “need”: Major Improvement Areas, Rehabilitation Areas, Conservation Areas, and Emerging Areas; unfortunately, South Point Douglas was categorized as an area which needed major improvements and complete renewal of the buildings. There are approximately 65 dwelling units in SPD and they are divided into four categories as well relating to the conditions of the housings: Good Housing (13), Fair Housing (20), Poor Housing (23), Very Poor Housing (9).

unit map spd
Source: Enns, Rick. Housing Conditions. April 2008. GeoMedia, Winnipeg MB. URL: http://www.winnipeg.ca

        South Point Douglas is known as Winnipeg’s “birthplace” and it is known for its history and heritage; architecture plays an important role and there are two distinct listings of buildings:

  1. Buildings Conservation List
  2. Historical Buildings Inventory List

There are four example buildings that are on the Buildings Conservation list and they are divided into grade systems: Grade 1, 2, and 3. Grade 1 buildings are excellent examples of architecture, Grade 2 buildings are representations of the city’s building stock, and Grade 3 buildings are average quality buildings.

  1. Canadian Pacific Railway Station fh3

Source: 181 Higgins Avenue Canadian Pacific Railway Station. June 08, 1981. Historical Buildings Community, Winnipeg MB. www.winnipeg.ca.

 

  1. Alloway and Champion Buildingfh2

Source: 667 Main Street, Alloway and Champion Building. February 28, 1986. Historical Buildings Community, Winnipeg MB. www.winnipeg.ca.

 

  1. Lighthouse Mission (Zimmerman fh1Block)

Source: Blankstein, Max. 669 Main Street, Lighthouse Mission (Zimmerman Block). 1913. Historical Buildings Community, Winnipeg MB. www.winnipeg.ca.

 

 

 

  1. Fire Hall No. 3fh

Source: 56 Maple Street, Fire Hall No. 3. October 1990. Historical Buildings Community, Winnipeg MB. www.winnipeg.ca.

 

The condition of the houses in South Point Douglas were distinguished as three types:

  • In need of regular maintenance /2,620 (53.6%)/
  • In need of minor changes /1425 (29.1%)/
  • In need of major changes /845 (17.3%)/

 

spd 1910
1910 South Point Douglas

Source: Wintorbos. View from Royal Alexandra Hotel, Looking South. May 11, 2009. Flickr. www.flickr.com.