Exchange District - Modern Historic Buildings
Explore the modern buildings of the National Historic Site in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
City Hall and the Susan A Thompson Building Behind (2020-03-20) by Larissa IdeICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
City Hall - More than Just a Building
The City Hall complex was opened in 1964 and is one of Winnipeg's many fine modern buildings. Its geometric shapes represent the vastness of the prairies.
Good Design
The brise-soleil iron bars reduce solar gains in the building but still allow some daylight through for natural lighting.
Remembrance of the Old City Hall
The clock on top of the Susan A. Thompson building is reminiscent of the clock tower of the Old Gingerbread City Hall.
Inside City Hall (2020-03-20) by Larissa IdeICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
What is Inside City Hall?
The Old Gingerbread City Hall was not well constructed or maintained. The foundation was inadequate, the brick was substandard, all of which seemed to be issues that arose from embezzlement during the construction. A model of it can be found in the current City Hall.
Public Safety Building (2020-03-20) by Larissa IdeICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
Previous Police Headquarters - What Happens Now?
The Public Safety Building was the police headquarters that opened in 1965. In 2015, the police headquarters was moved because the building was thought to be unsafe.
Temporary Measures
The cladding has been reinforced with metal stapling as a precaution. The building is bomb proof, so a lot of money and resources were invested in it.
Mural on the Public Safety Building that was recently demolished (2020-03-20) by Larissa IdeICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
Demolition of Buildings in the District
Demolition, which was approved by the mayor and council, has started on the Safety Building. It is a significant loss since it was part of Mayor Juba’s vision of a modernist city. The District has narrowly missed demolition, thanks to the economic recession that halted plans.
Tyndall Stone used on the Public Safety Building (2020-03-20) by Larissa IdeICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
What Kind of Stone is Commonly Used in these Modern Places?
This is Tyndall Stone, a common material in Manitoba, which is embedded with fossils. It can be found in Garson, a quarry close to the city. The texture of this limestone is interesting for different stone finishes such as polished or rusticated.
Architectural model of the development plans for the Exchange District from 1966 (2020-03-20) by Larissa IdeICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
Past Redevelopment Plans
In the basement of the Centennial Concert Hall, there is a model of the initial plans for the redevelopment of the District that disregarded all the historic buildings. The buildings in brown were built and the buildings in beige were not constructed.
Centennial Concert Hall (2020-03-20) by Larissa IdeICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
Playful Architecture
The design of this 2,305-seat Centennial Concert Hall is unique; concrete window covers on the façade provide a playful creative interaction with shadows and light.
Manitoba Museum's Planetarium (2020-03-20) by Larissa IdeICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
Modernist Scheme
The Manitoba Museum Planetarium was built in 1967 as part of the modernist redevelopment plans.
Stained Glass Transom Window of the Old Gingerbread City Hall that is now kept in the Manitoba Museum (2020-03-20) by Larissa IdeICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
Lots to See at the Exhibits in the Manitoba Museum
This is the stained glass transom window of the Old Gingerbread City Hall that is now kept in the Manitoba Museum.
Discover More
Exchange District Compendium
Exchange District – Arts, Culture, and History
Red River College, Princess Street Campus
Exchange District – Bank Buildings
ICOMOS Canada and Carleton University
Exchange District BIZ - More on the Exchange District BIZ
Heritage Winnipeg - More on Heritage Winnipeg
City of Winnipeg
See the other exhibits on the Exchange District
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