Kantor House
218 Roslyn Road

Today, the residence has a place on Winnipeg's conservation list as a prime example of true Georgian Revival architecture. It has reached this stature with the assistance of four internationally and locally recognized architects during different occupancies.

In 1901, architects J. H. Cadham designed the first structure for Jerry Robinson, a store owner whose premises were located on Main Street, just north of Portage Avenue. Cadham's Georgian Revival styled mansion was a present from Robinson to his daughter when she married Walter P. Moss. In time, Moss became vice-president and general manager of Robinson's.

The $7,000 two-and-one-half storey structure followed the well-established styling of Robert Adam, an English 18th-Century architect. Records show his concepts to be the gentlest, the purest and the most humane of all residential styles.

In 1909, a $9,000 wing was added. Architect Herbert Hugh drew up the design. Then, in 1913, G.W. Northwood was commissioned to add a second wing to balance the first one. He replaced the original chimney with two large ones, each to the rear of the wings.

Presumably, the time had come for Moss to provide more space for his growing family of five children, for architects Raymond Carey was commissioned to re-design the whole residence in 1917. The $40,500 cost was considered to be enormous. During that war-time year, only 34 residential buildings were constructed in Winnipeg, each being of modest wood-frame material at an average cost of $4,242. Carey expressed his flair for spectacular interiors by designing a grand foyer with black-and-white checker-board marble floors. The walls bear classical columns, with a carved cornices and medallions of white plaster at the top. The ballroom to the west, with its arched ceiling, features similar ornate, plaster patterns.

Curved stairs lead off the foyer in three directions. Each bedroom is an ensuite, with a bathroom and a dressing room. The master bedroom, completely circular, feature 16 doors.

In 1957, Max Kantor purchased the 218 Roslyn Road home. The ballroom has since been converted into a studio in which to conduct ballet lessons. The dining room is now a family room, with portions of the balance of the house turned into private apartments.