Formerly: | The Avenue and Hample Buildings |
Address: | 265 Portage Avenue |
Use: | In addition to the 75 rental apartments, the main floor of The Avenue is occupied by Manitoba Start, a non-profit organization that provides services for new immigrants in Winnipeg. |
Constructed: | 1905 & 1906, 2012 |
Architects: | 5468796 Architecture Inc., James Cadham |
Tours: | Part of the QR Code Tour |
The Avenue on Portage revives two historic commercial buildings from the turn of the century located one block west of Winnipeg’s most famous corner, Portage and Main. Once major retail destinations in the city, the Avenue and Hample Buildings experienced a slow decline, becoming blights to the street and downtown.
In 2010, clients Mark and Rick Hofer purchased the site to develop the derelict properties into 75 rental apartments (73,000 square feet) and 22,500 square feet of commercial space. The project was completed in 2012 with a budget of $10.8 million.
Manitoba Start is a non-profit organization that provides services to Winnipeg’s new immigrants, including orientation classes, career counseling and employment workshops. Its new, 22,500 square foot facility is located on the main floor of The Avenue on Portage, a landmark heritage building in the city’s downtown, renovated and redesigned by 5468796 Architecture.
Manitoba Start’s program is always evolving to meet the changing needs of its staff and clients, necessitating a design that integrates both fixed and flexible spaces. Due to a somewhat irregular grid of existing columns, the plan responds with a hexagonal geometry that flows freely through the building.
Originally the Avenue Block was constructed in 1905 and designed by James Cadham. The smaller three storey Hample Block was designed by John D. Atchison and was finished in 1906.