© 2019, Christian Cassidy
Google Street View, 2014
Place: Vesta Apartments
Address: 578 Agnes Street (Map)
Opened: 1911
Architect: Unknown
Contractor: Bjorn Petursson
The Vesta Apartments were constructed in 1911 by Icelandic builder Bjorn Petursson who also built the nearby Corinne Apartments at 602 Agnes the same year. The building, which consists of twenty one-bedroom suites was open by September 1911.
The architect of the block is not known. The Biographical Dictionary of Architects says that it may be T. L. Kerr, but that building is the wrong year and corner to be this building.
Among the heads of household of its first roster of tenants were: Ernest Barter, assistant agent with the Northern Navigation Co. in 14; Oswald Boyle, electrician with the Street Railway Co., in 19; Albert and Alfred Brock, Manitoba Bridge and Iron Works, in 13; Charles Hawley, machinist with the CPR, in 15; Fred Lyddiatt, stores department at the CPR shops, in 8; William Lyddiatt, pharmacist, in 8; John Mahen, clerk at Imperial Oil, in 7; Allan Milward, plumber at Winnipeg General Hospital, in 1; T. Mote, warehouseman for Ashdown Hardware Co., in 8; George Noble, locksmith on Notre Dame Avenue and his son, George Jr.,a messenger at Manitoba Government Telephones in suite 12.
There were some residents who went to fight in the wars, but all appear to have returned. One example was Private William Conway, an employee at Eaton's prior to enlisting with the 107th Battalion, who returned home safely in December 1917. So did Captain R. F. Bicknell earlier that year.
Tragedy did strike in 1947 when six-year-old James Guy was running across Sargent Avenue at Victor Street and was hit by a trolley bus. He was rushed to hospital suffering from multiple injuries, including a skull fracture, and died soon after. The trolley driver was exonerated of blame as James and his friends ran out from behind parked cars without looking.
October 1926 rental ad
In 2011, after an extensive renovation, the building was reopened as a reasonably priced condominium block. It is unclear what became of the condominium idea as the building was put up for sale in 2019 for $1.6 million as an apartment block.
On the morning of December 26, 2019 the building suffered a major fire. It is unclear if the building can be salvaged.
UPDATE: The building suffered structural damage during the fire and was demolished the next day, December 27, 2019.
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