The former St. Boniface City Hall is a Georgian Revival style building designed by Victor Horwood, a well-known Manitoba architect. The construction completed in 1906 did not escape scandal due to fiscal mismanagement of the project and the reconstruction of the tower because the latter did not correspond to the initial sketch at all. On the other hand, a newspaper of the time shared that the building was well designed, had good natural lighting and was furnished to give the appearance of a small palace. The building originally housed the offices of the civic administration, the jail and the living quarters of the chief of police and his assistant.
The exterior appearance is one of solidity and dignity while the interior retains its historic charm. It represents the success and expansion of St. Boniface, which had been able to attract businesses and residents thanks to various advantages such as cheap electricity and good transportation infrastructure.
The building now houses the Tourisme Riel office, the World Trade Centre office, the Maison des artistes visuels francophones and its art galleries, and the Sculpture Garden. The old St. Boniface City Hall is truly at the heart of Manitoba's Francophonie.
The former fire station north of the old St. Boniface City Hall is also by Victor Horwood and its design is a departure from the styles used for other fire stations in the city. The purpose of the building was to house municipal offices, firefighters and their equipment.
Romanesque Revival in style and minimally ornate, its design emphasizes the functionality of the materials, its layout and the use of specialized features such as the two towers used to dry the hoses used to put out fires. Once its construction was completed in 1907, the building served as a fire station until 1967. The transition to mechanical equipment takes place between the two wars, as well as some conceptual changes.
Following its closure as a fire station, the building reopened as a museum. There was clothing, equipment, etc. describing the operation and history of the fire station. There were also offices and a day center for seniors. The entire facility has been closed since 2016.
Etienne Gaboury, described by some as Manitoba's finest architect, designed the civic complex at the corner of Langevin and Dumoulin in 1964. His first major project as a young architect, the buildings were to house a police station, a trial court and a public health office.
The architectural style corresponds to the brutalist model of expression that lends itself well to institutional complexes. Some other typical details of this style are the use of masonry construction and vertical patterns on the walls. The use of deeply recessed and sheltered doors and windows is also seen everywhere. The architect admits that the inspiration for these buildings came from the famous architect Le Corbusier who designed the Notre-Dame-du-Haut Chapel in Ronchamp, France, which he visited during his studies in 1958.
The former police station at 227 Dumoulin is now owned by Dr. Marc Fréchette who wishes to develop it into a medical clinic.
The building at 233 Provencher, the former St. Boniface Public Health Unit and now the offices of the Festival du Voyageur, officially received its historic designation in January 2022. There is also the "Boutique du voyageur", where people can still buy Festival du Voyageur products year round.
The Sculpture Garden was created in 2008. The park contains several sculptures by French Canadian artists. Five are placed around the garden:
Les Ami.e.s du carré civique de Saint-Boniface
Postal Box 4
Saint-Boniface
Winnipeg MB
R2H 3B4
Keep the St. Boniface Civic Square alive for the benefit of Manitoba's Francophonie. Contribute to our one-time fund or you can also contribute to our endowment fund. Thank you for helping us carry out our mission.
Your $5 annual membership ensures the continuity of the entire St. Boniface Civic Square for the benefit of Manitoba's Francophonie. With your membership, you will receive accurate and current information on the development of this property. You will also have the opportunity to participate in the governance of the organization.
Your $5 annual membership ensures the continuity of the entire St. Boniface Civic Square for the benefit of Manitoba's Francophonie. With your membership, you will receive accurate and current information on the development of this property. You will also have the opportunity to participate in the governance of the organization.
Les Ami.e.s du carré civique de Saint-Boniface inc. is a charitable organization (charitable number - 793544701) that will issue a tax receipt for all donations received.
One-time donations can be made by PayPal, credit or debit card. • By e-transfer to: Les Ami.e.s du carré civique de Saint-Boniface inc. , with notice to carrecivique@gmail.com • By cheque payable to: Les Ami.e.s du carré civique de Saint-Boniface inc. • Send to our PO Box.
