This building at the southeast corner of Main Street and Sutherland Avenue in Winnipeg, believed to have been constructed before 1906, possibly designed by architect Johann “John” Schwab, was originally comprised of three retail spaces. They were occupied by a barber shop, grocery, and restaurant.
Around 1919, one of the retail spaces started being used as an automobile upholstery shop by the Canadian Auto Upholstery Company while the others hosted a billiard hall until late 1922. At that time, the entire building became occupied by the City Auto Wrecking Company which sold auto parts and had a wrecking service. In 1937, the company was renamed City Machinery and Auto Parts. Sometime after 1956, it was expanded at the rear but the company had moved out by 1975.
Formerly in the City of Winnipeg’s inventory of municipally significant buildings, it was removed from that list in 2010. At the time of a 2024 site visit, the front portion of the building has been renovated extensively except for a portion along the north side that still showed part of the original facade. The building was in use as a church.
City Machinery Block (1975)
Source: Winnipeg Tribune, 28 February 1975, page 19.
City Machinery Block (March 2024)
Source: Jordan MakichukSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.90642, W97.13368
denoted by symbol on the map above
“Tenders,” Manitoba Free Press, 8 August 1904, page 2.
Winnipeg Fire Insurance Map #24, August 1906, Library and Archives Canada.
“Good barber wanted,” Manitoba Free Press, 6 March 1913, page 17.
“Wanted driver for grocer,” Manitoba Free Press, 18 October 1916, page 13.
“Automobile Upholstery - 783 Main Street,” Manitoba Free Press, 22 April 1919, page 16.
“Automobile Upholstery - 783 Main Street,” Manitoba Free Press, 13 March 1920, page 31.
“Pool room for sale,” Manitoba Free Press, 15 August 1921, page 19.
“Billiard business for sale,” Manitoba Free Press, 16 October 1922, page 22.
“Buy and sell old cars for wrecking - City Auto Wrecking Co.,” Manitoba Free Press, 12 November 1922, page 21.
“Old cars wanted - City Auto Wrecking Co.,” Manitoba Free Press, 12 September 1928, page 22.
“Auto parts and tractor repairs - City Auto Wrecking Co.,” Winnipeg Free Press, 28 June 1935, page 29.
“Auto parts and tractor repairs - City Machinery & Auto Parts,” Winnipeg Free Press, 16 November 1937, page 19.
Winnipeg fire insurance map, #212 May 1956, City of Winnipeg Archives.
“Commercial & industrial real estate,” Winnipeg Tribune, 28 February 1975, page 19.
Peel’s Prairie Provinces, University of Alberta Libraries.
The Year Past 2010: Annual Report of the City of Winnipeg Historical Buildings Committee, page 16.
This page was prepared by Jordan Makichuk.
Page revised: 1 July 2025
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