Construction
The Grain Exchange Building is located on the north side
of Lombard Avenue, between Rorie Street and the Red River,
on land legally described as 776&7 E St. John's, Plan 223,
Lots 59/64. (11)
The original building was seven stories high measuring
approximately 39.35 meters (129 ft.) along Lombard Avenue
and 38.74 meters (127 ft.) along Rorie Street. Its steel
and reinforced concrete frame construction was new to
Winnipeg, although the technique had been used previously
in other North American Cities. (12) Bedford
stone faced the bottom two floors, while limestone was used
for quoins and trimming. The walls were constructed of solid
buff-coloured brick; hollow terra-cotta blocks were used in
the partitions.
The major additions, discussed below, continued both the
design and materials of the 1906-08 building. As it now stands,
the structure measures 39.35 meters (129 ft.) along Lombard
Avenue, 64.05 meters ( 210 ft.) along Rorie Street, and
approximately 33.55 meters (110') high. There is a 7.63 X
36.60 meter (25 X 120 ft) interior light well for ventilation
and light. (13)
Design
The Lombard Avenue and Rorie Street facades are divided into
three sections: a Bedford stone base encompassing the ground
and mezzanine floors; the buff-coloured brick mid-section of
offices; and the attic and cornice area. Taken together, they
mimic the base, shaft and ornamental capital of a classical
column. In this case, the base is highlighted by the use of
an ornamental building material. The central shaft does not
feature a vertical expression usually associated with this
style; however, the large amount of window space does liken
to the Sullivanesque type. The small attic and heavy,
projecting cornice form the capital.
The treatment of the colossal Lombard Avenue entry carries
up three full floors, with a huge rusticated round-headed
arch surmounted by a corner gallery. Above the door is a large
limestone lintel with "Grain Exchange" in raised block letter
printed across it. Overhead, a three-part transom takes the
arch form. The entire entry is surmounted by a balcony supported
by console brackets.
The Lombard Avenue and Rorie Street facades feature Doric
order limestone piers are regular intervals on the main floor.
Windows between these piers are placed above 1.53 meters (5 ft)
spandrels. Windows on all other levels are rectangular motif
and keystone. On the north wall, 12 huge two-story arches
windows that originally opened onto the Commodity Exchange
Room have been enclosed. At each corner on the second story is
a 2.44 meter(8 ft) coat of arms carved in limestone.
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