The Bay, Downtown Winnipeg

The Bay is a six-story department store built in the Beaux-Arts style with a limestone exterior made from Tyndall stone. The structure features tall stone columns, ornamental details, and broad display windows that wrap around its facade.

The Hudson's Bay Company commissioned architects Ernest Barott and Gordon Home Blackader to design this store, which opened in 1926. The building was completed during a period when the company was expanding as a retail leader across Canada.

The building shows how the Hudson's Bay Company transformed from trading furs into a major retail business across Canada. You can feel this shift in the grand design, which displays the wealth and importance the company gained.

The store connects to Winnipeg's skywalk system, allowing visitors to move between neighboring buildings while staying protected from weather. This network makes it easy to explore the downtown area regardless of season or outdoor conditions.

The foundation work required removing around 150,000 tons of earth using 300 workers, 120 horse teams, and two steam shovels. This enormous excavation was necessary to establish a solid base for the building's weight and size.

Location: Winnipeg

Inception: 1926

Architects: Ernest Barott, Gordon Home Blackader

Architectural style: Beaux-Arts

Made from material: Tyndall stone

Address: 450 Portage Avenue

Website: https://scoinc.mb.ca/a-new-future-wehwehneh-bahgahkinahgohn

GPS coordinates: 49.89065,-97.14991

Latest update: December 14, 2025 15:00