Exchange District in Winnipeg, Manitoba — Canada’s Prairie Region (North America)

Bank of Hamilton

1916-1918

— Historic Winnipeg —

Bank of Hamilton Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 16, 2022

1. Bank of Hamilton Marker

Inscription. Designed by Winnipeg architect J.D. Atcheson, this building was one of four major banks on “Bankers’ Row” along Main Street. It was the last major office building erected during the city’s early boom period, and served as the Manitoba headquarters of the Bank of Hamilton which merged with the Bank of Commerce in 1923.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1916.

Location. 49° 53.817′ N, 97° 8.311′ W. Marker is in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It is in the Exchange District. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street (Manitoba Route 52) and McDermot Avenue, on the right when traveling north on Main Street. Marker is mounted at eye-level near the northwest corner of the subject building, facing Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 395 Main Street, Winnipeg MB R3B 3N8, Canada. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Robert Atkinson Davis (within shouting distance of this marker); Union Tower (within shouting distance of this marker); Northern Light Lodge (within shouting distance of this marker); Early Skyscrapers in Winnipeg / Les gratte-ciel de Winnipeg (within shouting distance of this marker); The Great-West Life Building / L’édifice de la Great-West

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(about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Rowand Block / Canada Life Building (about 120 meters away); Imperial Bank of Canada (about 120 meters away); The Confederation Building / L'édifice de la Confédération (about 180 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Winnipeg.

Regarding Bank of Hamilton. Canada Register of Historic Places, (1979/11/07).

From the Canada Register Statement of Significance:
The Bank of Hamilton is one of Winnipeg's excellent examples of a Chicago School-style skyscraper, whose height, method of construction and Italianate detailing set it apart from buildings of the pre-1900 era. Designed by noted local architect John D. Atchison, the building is noted for the abundance and integrity of its exterior limestone ornamentation and the interior ground-floor, mezzanine and second-floor finishes and layouts. The building is one of the anchors of the only remaining unaltered block of pre-1920 financial institutions on Bankers' Row, a section of Main Street occupied by monumental banking structures from which came much of the financing for Western Canada's pre-1930 development.

Also see . . .

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 16, 2022

2. Bank of Hamilton Marker

(looking east along McDermot Avenue • marker is mounted at northwest corner of the building)

1. Bank of Hamilton • Canada Register of Historic Places.

The imposing, yet graceful, nine-storey Bank of Hamilton is located in the heart of Winnipeg's Exchange District, a national historic site, and its Bankers' Row. Built in 1916-18, the office tower occupies the southeast corner of Main Street and McDermot Avenue, surrounded by commercial structures of various types and vintages.

(Submitted on January 30, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Bank of Hamilton Building.

Dominating the base of the front (west) elevation is a massive raised entrance arch with an elaborate sculpted keystone. The arch encompasses recessed bronze and glass doors topped by a bronze grille, fanlight and the bank’s coat-of-arms. Each upper floor contains three sets of paired rectangular windows. Smaller openings along the top storey are separated by shields and other reliefs. Above is a cornice with dentils, modillions, delicate mouldings, and gargoyles. The parapet incorporates a balustrade and a pediment inscribed with the building’s date. Belt courses form horizontal divisions above the main/mezzanine, second and eighth floors. Additional accents are provided by a large cartouche at the north-west corner, a festoon between the sixth and seventh floors, wreaths,
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 16, 2022

3. Bank of Hamilton Building
(northwest elevation)
and shields. The north (McDermot) elevation features five large arched windows that light the banking hall.

(Submitted on January 30, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

3. Historic Sites of Manitoba: Bank of Hamilton Building.

Restoration of the building was given a Conservation Award by Heritage Winnipeg and the structure is a municipally-designated historic site.
Employees of the bank from branches around Manitoba, killed during military service in the First World War, were listed in an Appendix of A History of the Canadian Bank of Commerce, Volume 3, 1919-1930 published in 1934.

(Submitted on January 30, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Bank of Hamilton Building<br>(<i>west elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 16, 2022

4. Bank of Hamilton Building
(west elevation)

Bank of Hamilton Building<br>(<i>north detail</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 16, 2022

5. Bank of Hamilton Building
(north detail)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 28, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 83 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 30, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.