Hammond Block

(61-65 Albert Street), Winnipeg, Manitoba

The National Trust for Canada's involvement in Winnipeg’s historic Exchange District (now the Exchange District National Historic Site) began in 1975, when the City of Winnipeg and the Province of Manitoba reached an agreement with the Foundation recognizing the Warehouse District as a heritage conservation area. As part of its $500,000 commitment, the Foundation purchased a relatively modest office building, the Hammond Building, in 1978 and set about demonstrating how an interior and exterior refurbishment could be viable and successful.

The Hammond Building was built in 1902 by William J. Hammond, a Toronto fur and hat merchant, who relocated to Winnipeg in 1896. Designed by J.H.G. Russell, the building was initially two stories but expanded with 3 sympathetic additions between 1905 and 1909. In 1909, a devastating fire gutted much of the interior. Throughout its history, the Hammond Building has generally accommodated retail shop space on its ground floor, and manufacturer’s agents on the upper floors.

In keeping with the National Trust’s policy on real property, the building would be returned to local ownership. Because at the time the Manitoba Heritage Act did not allow a restrictive covenant or special easement to be placed on title, it was decided that the best way to ensure long-term preservation was to transfer its ownership to a public authority. It was sold in 1984.