Somerset Building denied heritage tag

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This article was published 06/05/2020 (2163 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The 113-year-old Somerset Building will not receive a heritage designation after all.

Only six councillors voted to grant that status for two stone façades of the Portage Avenue structure on Wednesday, while 10 opted against it.

The building’s owner told councillors a heritage designation threatened to interfere with a planned $150-million development known as Canad Place, which would include the building.

That’s because being added to the city’s historical resources list, which can protect a building against demolition, would also create a need for additional permits and approvals to alter it, said Lea Ledohowski, president of the Canad Inns hotel chain.

“Each of these encumbrances has a negative impact on the property value and a negative impact on redevelopment opportunities,” said Ledohowski.

The building owner previously told city councillors the Somerset is part of a broader development plan that also includes the Radisson Hotel and Metropolitan Entertainment Centre, which could eventually offer a mix of retail, restaurants and new hotel room space, though details are still being worked out.

Coun. Brian Mayes (St. Vital) argued the building should be protected.

“I think if we’re being true to the principles of heritage here we would designate the westerly façade and the north façade,” said Mayes.

By contrast, Coun. Janice Lukes (Waverley West) argued the Somerset doesn’t warrant heritage status because it’s been altered more than 80 times since it was built, replacing many of its original elements in the process.

Mayor Brian Bowman said he struggled with the decision before also voting against the designation.

“The significance of the changes that have been made over the many, many decades was something that I found persuasive,” said Bowman.

Joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga