Barber House Update
99 Euclid Avenue

At the Historical Buildings Committee meeting in March 2000, a report was reviewed that included an assessment of the building condition and cost estimates for restoring the exterior and rehabilitating the interior for a new use. The report pointed out that in spite of the fire, “the original log superstructure is sound except for several areas of local deterioration requiring replacement of a few sections of logs. Second floor framing has sustained significant fire damage and is in need of total replacement along with the stairs. Exterior finishes and roofing requires replacement. This house could be readily insulated to current standards with insulation applied internally and externally.

Repairs of this historic Red River log house is readily feasible. Barber House remains in basic sound condition and its status, as a rare example of this unique construction used by early pioneer settlers and founders of this city, is important. Costs associated with restoration of Barber House would not exceed new residential custom built construction cost levels and appears to be warranted based on historical significance alone.”

Barber House is situated on a fairly large lot that is all city-owned. There is potential to subdivide the entire property for housing and still leave Barber House on its original site. Barber House could be rehabilitated into a single family dwelling with a contemporary interior and retain its heritage designation.

The Historical Buildings Committee concluded by requesting that the Planning, Property and Development Department prepare a request for proposals for the land and building located at 99 Euclid Avenue. Development proposals must retain Barber House on its original site and its rehabilitation will require a Certificate of Suitability from the Historical Buildings Committee and a Heritage Permit from Manitoba Culture, Heritage and Tourism.

The Historical Buildings Committee welcomes the opportunity to arrive at a viable, satisfactory solution to this most challenging heritage opportunity.

several hundred thousand people. Both the man and the business had been an active participant in that growth.