Exchange District in Winnipeg, Manitoba — Canada’s Prairie Region (North America)
Gault Building
1900
— Historic Winnipeg —
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 16, 2022
1. Gault Building Marker
Designed by J. H. Cadham, who also designed the Whitla Building, this massive brick and stone warehouse was built for the Gault brothers of Montreal to house their rapidly expanding wholesale dry goods business. In 1903 the building was expanded to the south and two storeys were added.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.
Location. 49° 53.889′ N, 97° 8.458′ W. Marker is in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It is in the Exchange District. Marker is at the intersection of King Street (Manitoba Route 42) and Bannatyne Avenue, on the right when traveling north on King Street. Marker is mounted at eye-level on the column at the northeast corner of the subject building, facing King Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Arthur Street, Winnipeg MB R3B 1H3, Canada. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Traveller's Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Whitla Building (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Court House (about 120 meters away); The Exchange District / L'Arrondissement de la Bourse (about 120 meters away); West Clements Block (Bijou Theatre) (about 120 meters away); Fairchild Building
this page online
Regarding Gault Building. Canada Register of Historic Places (1982/12/06) and Winnipeg Landmark Heritage Structure.
From the Canada Register Statement of Significance:
Key elements that define the building's Richardsonian Romanesque warehouse exterior include:
• the massive rectangular box-like shape, six-storey height and flat roof;
• the heavy masonry construction of buff-coloured brick over wood posts and beams on a raised foundation faced with large rusticated limestone blocks to the sills of the second storey;
• the horizontal ordering of the three principal facades, expressed through distinctive materials and ornamentation, the symmetrical arrangement of multiple windows and banding elements such as the continuous rusticated stone sills on the second, fourth and fifth storeys, the corbelled brick and stone cornice and the stone-capped parapet.
Also see . . .
1. Gault Block & Annex. Canadian Inventory of Historic Building PDF:
The building was finished during 1900 and was the subject of great(Submitted on February 3, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)admiration throughout the city. Inside, there were four freight elevators, each with an independent motor. The basement housed the heating and power apparatus as well as the vaults. The first storey had the general office with its natural varnished woods. Here, too, was where the staple goods were kept. On the next level, dress goods, woolens and linens were held. The third floor carried furnishing and small wares. Carpets, house furnishings, and underclothing were placed on the fourth floor. Metallic ceilings adorned each level. The Gault firm occupied half the structure, while Clark brothers, wholesale stationary were in the western portion. Prior to that time, the closest large Canadian jobbing source for dry goods was 1500 miles from Winnipeg.Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 16, 20222. Gault Building Marker(marker is mounted on column at northwest corner)
2. Historic Sites of Manitoba: Gault Building and Annex. Manitoba Historical Society Archives (Submitted on January 29, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
3. The Gault Building: Artspace renovations. Artspce website entry:
All six floors of the building’s interior were renovated in 1984/1985. It was a massive, $2 million project that converted the large open warehouse spaces into various sizes of studios, office, storage, exhibit and creative spaces. The stairwells were also rebuilt and the elevator was upgraded. The entrances(Submitted on February 3, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)were modified to make the building more accessible by adding a wheelchair lift.Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 16, 20223. Gault Building (west elevation)The Rooftop of Artspace has become iconic because of its fencing. Rooftop advertising signs were a common form of business advertising in the early 20th Century. The one atop Artspace was added in 1903 and originally read “Gaults Limited Importers Wholesale Dry Goods.” The sign was refurbished in 2011 and now reads “Artspace.” It is one of four original rooftop signs remaining in the Exchange District.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 16, 2022
4. Gault Building (northwest elevation)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 2, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 67 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 3, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
