Historic Sites of Manitoba: Miles Block (563-565 Selkirk Avenue, Winnipeg)

This two-storey brick building on Selkirk Avenue in Winnipeg, measuring 33 feet by 50 feet, was designed by local architect Max Zev Blankstein and built in 1911 by day labour for owner Jacob “Jack” Miles at a cost of about $6,000. In its original configuration, the building contained two retail spaces on the main floor and two residential apartments on the upper floor.

In 1928, a two-storey addition on the rear of the building, measuring 17 feet by 25 feet, also designed by Blankstein, was built by contractor Nathan Popeski at a cost of about $1,000.

Miles Block (May 2022) Source: Jordan Makichuk Miles Block (March 2025) Source: Kerrin Asmundson Rear view of the Miles Block (August 2025) Source: Jordan Makichuk Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.91657, W97.14745 denoted by symbol on the map above

See also:

Memorable Manitobans: Max Zev Blankstein (1874-1931)

Memorable Manitobans: Jacob “Jack” Miles (1887-1951)

Memorable Manitobans: Nathan Popeski (1884-1970)

Sources:

City of Winnipeg Building Permit 1676/1911, City of Winnipeg Archives.

“Building permits,” Winnipeg Tribune, 13 June 1911, page 8.

“Building permits,” Manitoba Free Press, 14 June 1911, page 5.

“Winnipeg, Man.,” Contract Record and Engineering Review, 28 June 1911, page 64.

City of Winnipeg Building Permit 1528/1928, City of Winnipeg Archives.

“Selkirk Avenue” by Kerrin Asmundson, Winnipeg Brick by Brick, 31 March 2011.

We thank Kerrin Asmundson for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Jordan Makichuk.

Page revised: 21 August 2025

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