Formerly: | Bank of Canada Building |
Address: | 161 Portage Avenue East |
Use: | Office building |
Original Use: | Office Building |
Constructed: | 1969-1971 |
Other Work: | 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, Interior alterations 1998, Renovations by Friesen Tokar Architects 1985, Renovations (Contractor: V.K. Mason) 1987, 1993, Renovations |
Architects: | Smith Carter Parkin |
Firms: | Smith Carter Parkin, Friesen Tokar Architects |
Contractors: | G.A. Baert Construction Co. Ltd. |
Local architectural firm Smith Carter Parkin designed the Bank of Canada building at 161 Portage Avenue East between 1969 and 1971. Also known as 3 Lombard Place, the eight storey steel structure has bands of natural gray granite alternating with rows of glazing, giving the building a fortress-like appearance. A steel structure allows interior spaces to be relatively unobstructed by columns. The simplicity of the exterior matches the style of other office buildings, in the downtown, constructed at this time and 161 Portage Avenue is linked to Winnipeg’s weather protected pedestrian walkway system.