Description of Historic Place

The Stanley Knowles / Revenue Building is a four storey, rectangular building. With a flat roof and smooth-faced stone cladding, the building’s facade is distinguished by projecting and receding planes which enhance its visual qualities. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The Stanley Knowles / Revenue Building is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values.

Historical value:
The Stanley Knowles / Revenue Building is associated with the increase in the size and areas of responsibilities of the federal government during the 1950s and 60s and, more specifically, in regards to new taxation practises that were developing in Canada at this time. The building is a convenient example of the housing of civil service functions in the post-war period in the City of Winnipeg, a city which saw considerable growth after the end of World War II.

Architectural value:
The Stanley Knowles / Revenue Building is a very good example of the International style as evidenced by its emphasis on volume of the space rather than the mass of its walls, its lack of architectural ornamentation and its use of banded windows, which together with its flat roof, give the building its modern aesthetic. The building incorporates good functional design for the provision of office space and exhibits good quality craftsmanship and materials.

Environmental value:
Located on a corner lot at York Avenue and Kennedy Street in central downtown Winnipeg, access patterns to the building have not changed since construction and the building is compatible with its mixed use but mainly commercial section of the downtown in which it is located. Given the nature of the functions housed in the Stanley Knowles / Revenue Building, it is familiar to the general public within the City of Winnipeg.

Sources:
Kate MacFarlane, The Stanley Knowles Building (Former Revenue Building), 391 York Street, Winnipeg, MB. Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office Report 98-003; The Stanley Knowles Building (Former Revenue Building), Winnipeg, MB. Heritage Character Statement 98-003.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of the Stanley Knowles / Revenue Building should be respected.

Its role as an illustration of the increase in the size and areas of responsibilities of the federal government during the 1950s and 60s as reflected in:
-the building’s prominent location in central downtown Winnipeg.

Its International style as manifested in:
-its bold design that emphasizes the volume of the space and is illustrated in the distinctive projecting and receding planes;
-its horizontal emphasis illustrated by its low mass, flat roof and line of banded windows;
-its smooth faced stone exterior which emphasizes the volume rather than the mass of the building.

The manner in which the building is compatible with the mixed use but mainly commercial section character of the setting as evidenced in :
-its visual prominence owing to its massing, materials and visual details in relation to the surrounding streetscape in central downtown Winnipeg.