the Galpern Candy Company became synonymous with this building, with many people knowing it only as the Gaplern Building. When the Galpern Candy Company folded in 1973, Willson's office furnishings department moved in and used the building as a supply depot. Willson's eventually left the building, leaving the top five storeys of the building empty since 1975. The building's final occupant, a nightclub, left the main floor and basement in 2004 resulting in the entire building being vacant.
Porter House
Location: 165 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, MB
Developers: ALSTON PROPERTIES LTD.
Architect(s):
Status: Completed 2018
Media: From Housewares to Home - The Porter Building
Description: A six story warehouse built in 1906 comprising of 34 new purpose built modern loft style apartments accented with century old features in the heart of Winnipeg’s vibrant East Exchange District
The Porter Building in 1907. Source: Archives of Manitoba.
An advertisement for James Porter and Company crockery shines through a later Milady Chocolates advertisement on the west facade of the Porter Building. Source: Canada's Historic Places.
Advertisment for the Galpern Candy Company on the back of the Porter Building. Source: Alston Properties
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The Porter Building with its last tenant in 2004. Source: Virtual Heritage Winnipeg.
In 2015, Alston Properties, a family owned development firm based in Victoria, took over the Porter Building with the intention of converting it into residential units. The interior of the building was gutted, the front entrance was moved to the west side of the McDermot Avenue facade, 50 new windows and several new entrances were added to the Rorie Street facade. The top five floors of the building were converted into 30 one bedroom apartments, at approximately 500 square feet each. The ground floor and basement were converted into four two storey townhouses with individual entrances, each being 1,100 to 1,200 square feet in size. The history of the building was highlighted by exposed brick and wooden beams. Topping of the renovations was a rooftop deck with views of the Exchange District. Renovations were completed in 2018, with the building rebranded as the "Porter House".
The interior of Porter Building under construction. Source: Alston Properties.
The interior of Porter Building under construction. Source: Alston Properties.
New windows added to the Rorie Street facade of the Porter Building. Source: Alston Properties.
The interior of the newly renovated Porter Building. Source: Alston Properties.
Rooftop
The exterior of the newly renovated Porter Building. Source: Alston Properties.