This two-storey orange and cream brick, and Tyndall stone trimmed, Edwardian Commercial-style building was at the southwest corner of Main Street and Atlantic Avenue in Winnipeg. Measuring 34 feet by 96 feet, it was designed by contractor Robert Ralph Duncan and built in 1912 by contractor William Horner at a cost of about $21,000, for owner William Hooper Stone. In its original configuration, it contained a single retail space on the main floor that was occupied by a grocery store belonging to the W. H. Stone Company Limited, while the second floor contained a meeting hall.
Subcontractors included Alsip Brick, Tile & Lumber Company Limited (bricks).
In 1916, interior alterations to the building were completed by contractor James Albert Hirtle at a cost of about $1,000. Further alterations were completed in 1920 by contractor Arthur John Bonnett at a cost of about $3,000. In 1919, it was renamed to the Ideal Building.
At the time of a 2018 site visit, the building was relatively unmodified from its original appearance. It was damaged by a fire in October 2024 and was demolished in September 2026.
Ideal Building (October 2016)
Source: Kerrin Asmundson
Ideal Building (May 2018)
Source: Jordan Makichuk
Ideal Building after a fire (October 2024)
Source: Jordan Makichuk
Rear of the Ideal Building after a fire (August 2025)
Source: Jordan Makichuk
Ideal Building being demolished (September 2026)
Source: Jordan Makichuk
Ideal Building being demolished (September 2026)
Source: Jordan MakichukSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.92560, W97.12553
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: Robert Ralph Duncan (1866-1943)
Memorable Manitobans: William Horner (1860-1916)
MHS Centennial Business: Alsip Brick, Tile & Lumber Company Limited / Alsip's Building Products and Services
Memorable Manitobans: William Hooper Stone (1862-1941)
Manitoba Business: W. H. Stone Company Limited
Memorable Manitobans: James Albert Hirtle (1866-1958)
Memorable Manitobans: Arthur John Bonnett (1874-1942)
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 1596/1912, City of Winnipeg Archives.
“New buildings for city west and north,” Manitoba Free Press, 17 May 1912, page 11.
“Higher value represented in new building,” Manitoba Free Press, 17 May 1912, page 11.
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 857/1916, City of Winnipeg Archives.
“Building brisk again,” Manitoba Free Press, 26 September 1916, page 5.
Winnipeg fire insurance map, #314, December 1917 [Revised September 1921], Library and Archives Canada.
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 2217/1920, City of Winnipeg Archives.
“New permits - $20,000,” Manitoba Free Press, 21 October 1920, page 9.
“Permits $7,890,000,” Manitoba Free Press, 23 October 1920, page 34.
Winnipeg fire insurance map, #314 January 1957, City of Winnipeg Archives.
Henderson’s Winnipeg and Brandon Directories, Henderson Directories Limited, Peel’s Prairie Provinces, University of Alberta Libraries.
Property Details [1408-1410 Main Street / 210 Atlantic Avenue], Winnipeg Assessment and Taxation.
This page was prepared by Jordan Makichuk and Kerrin Asmundson.
Page revised: 9 September 2026
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