© 2024, Christian Cassidy
Source: Google Street View
Shocking news that the 170-suite Birchwood Terrace apartment block at 2440 Portage Avenue has been suddenly shut down by the city after an inspection "uncovered severe deterioration of its structure in various locations". Tenants had to scramble to evacuate overnight.
Construction on Birchwood Terrace began in July 1962. The $790,000 building permit was issued to owner and prominent builder Frank Lount and Son.
Lount was a prolific local builder in the 1930s through the 1950s. His designs helped define the newly developed Silver Heights neighbourhood in St. James. His most famous building is the iconic Winnipeg Clinic on St. Mary Avenue.
Lount was a prolific local builder in the 1930s through the 1950s. His designs helped define the newly developed Silver Heights neighbourhood in St. James. His most famous building is the iconic Winnipeg Clinic on St. Mary Avenue.
February 6, 1963, Winnipeg Free Press
“For rent” ads for the new building began running in early February 1963. It offered a range of sizes from bachelor to two bedrooms and included amenities like an outdoor pool and underground parkade.
July 31, 1963, Winnipeg Tribune
Its first year was marred by sad deaths. In July 1963, 8-year-old Lorraine Doyle of suite 125 was killed by a truck crossing the street near the front of the building. In February 1964, 27-year-old mother of three Lee Rae McKee slipped on ice and fell to her death from her fourth floor balcony.
December 5, 1992, Winnipeg Free Press
The building had a close call in 1992 when a massive gas explosion at Granny's Kitchen restaurant across the street destroyed two buildings and broke windows and sent shrapnel flying throughout the neighbourhood, including at Biorchwood Terrace. Nobody was seriously hurt or killed.
Source: Lakeview Agencies
According to newspaper reports, the building is managed by Lakeview Agencies on behalf of Ladco. The third party engineer had been in the building's parkade for several days performing an inspection. The fix, should the owners decide to do it, is expected to take months.
Such a failure is likely a maintenance issue rather than a constitution issue. Still, this building may have a number of "DNA cousins" out there considering the number of buildings Lount constructed. Someone at the city likely needs to go back through some dusty old building permits to find them and make sure inspections are done to them as well.
My heartfelt sympathies go out to those who have been evacuated.
Such a failure is likely a maintenance issue rather than a constitution issue. Still, this building may have a number of "DNA cousins" out there considering the number of buildings Lount constructed. Someone at the city likely needs to go back through some dusty old building permits to find them and make sure inspections are done to them as well.
My heartfelt sympathies go out to those who have been evacuated.
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