This 1½-storey brick and concrete building at the northwest corner of Manitoba Avenue and Parr Street in Winnipeg, measuring 33 feet by 100 feet, was designed by local architect David A. Abramovitch. It was built in 1914 by contractor Julius Murray, at a cost of about $15,000, as a gymnasium and hall for the Polish Gymnastic Association Sokol.
Originally known as the Polish Gymnastic Association Building, it was shortly thereafter renamed the Sokol Hall. In 1922, repairs to the gymnasium floors were completed by day labour at a cost of about $1,500. In 1964, an addition was added to the west side of the building.
At the time of a 2023 site visit, the building was extensively modified from its original appearance but a portion of the original building was still visible along the east side. By 2025, the building was undergoing renovation that exposed some of the original entrance and covered the east side with new material.
Polish Gymnastic Association Building / Sokol Hall (July 2023)
Source: Jordan Makichuk
Polish Gymnastic Association Building / Sokol Hall (August 2025)
Source: Jordan Makichuk
Polish Gymnastic Association Building / Sokol Hall (September 2025)
Source: Kerrin Asmundson
Polish Gymnastic Association Building / Sokol Hall datestone (September 2025)
Source: Kerrin AsmundsonSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.92012, W97.15294
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: David A. Abramovitch [Abramovich] (1871-1950)
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 1279/1914, City of Winnipeg Archives.
“Winnipeg building near seven million,” Manitoba Free Press, 13 May 1914, page 11.
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 2508/1922, City of Winnipeg Archives.
Winnipeg fire insurance map, #282 May 1956, City of Winnipeg Archives.
Our History, Sokol Winnipeg.
Henderson’s Winnipeg and Brandon Directories, Henderson Directories Limited, Peel’s Prairie Provinces, University of Alberta Libraries.
We thank Kerrin Asmundson for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Jordan Makichuk.
Page revised: 21 September 2025
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