Winnipeg police investigators are looking into the Sutherland Hotel fire.
The building burned to the ground Wednesday afternoon and by Thursday morning what was left of the centuries-old structure had already been demolished and the pile of rubble contained by fencing.
Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) told CTV News an emergency demolition was ordered and the building was vacant.
WFPS added the cause of the fire is still under investigation
A spokesperson for Winnipeg police told CTV News an investigation is “very much ongoing.”
Kenneth Ingram, president of the Seven Oaks Historical Society, said he is disappointed about the loss of the building but is also not surprised.
“The worst thing for an old building is when they’re not occupied, when they’re vacant, when they’re boarded, and unfortunately, this is just another example of one that was destroyed by a fire,” he said.
Ingram said the original bones of it date back to the 1880s, and at that time the whole area north of the train tracks was separated from downtown Winnipeg.
“It was really its own separate area of the city, and this hotel was a part of that short-term housing solution for people who obviously needed a spot to stay during that time,” he said.
Ingram said the building hasn’t always looked the same. He said its cornice was removed in the 70s, and during its life an addition was added to the back and a renovation in the early 1900s.
“Architecturally, it had a lot of distinctive features, like these arched windows and the brick,” he said. “Some of these architectural features you just don’t see on buildings nowadays. Very, very unique.”
About seven years ago the once white and green building got a colourful revival.
According to the Wall-to-Wall Mural & Cultural Fesitval’s website, a full-building wrap mural called ‘The Fancy Shawl Dancers’ was painted on the hotel in 2018.
CTV News reached out to the artists listed, Dee Barsy and Kenneth Lavallee, through Wall-to-Wall but were told both would not like to comment at this time.
Ingram said vacant building fires are something he sees over and over again in this part of the city.
“We lost another two large apartment buildings on Mountain in the last few months from a similar time period,” he said. “These could be units for people. This could be housing, and we need housing.”
“Something drastic needs to be done. Otherwise, it’s not going to be a matter of if the next one goes up in flames, but when, and specifically in the North End.”
Ingram said the building had no historical protections.
Deal had been finalized to sell building
“Timing couldn’t be worse,” said realtor Brad Gross, who was the listing agent for the Sutherland Hotel building.
Gross told CTV News a deal was finalized to sell the building this week.
However, the listing was still up Thursday with a list price of $575,000. The building was described as having the potential to be used for low-income housing suites, a church, or a grocer.
Gross said the rooming house-style building had been gutted down to the studs and had 37 rooms, a VLT room, a bar, a vacant restaurant space, and a beer vendor.
“It was old. It could use some upgrades, but, you know, it was still a good, solid building,” he said.
Now that the building has been reduced to rubble, he said the deal is dead.
“Everybody’s out some money on this one, and out a lot of time and effort.”
Gross said he will now work to sell the property as a vacant lot, saying there has already been some interest.
