Winnipeg’s Manwin Hotel to be sold

Just over two months after its tenants were forced to evacuate by the city, citing numerous safety violations, Winnipeg’s notorious Manwin Hotel has been placed on the market.

In January, CityNews was given a tour of the 143-year-old structure by a resident who had returned despite being handed an evacuation order after city inspectors flagged several safety issues. 

“I just don’t understand why they would say it’s uninhabitable,” explained Ken, a Former Manwin Hotel Resident, on January 23, 2025.

The realtor for the property, Brad Gross, says that following an unsuccessful appeal against the city, the owner decided to move on, listing the inner-city hotel at just short of $2.8 million dollars. 

“You know they released a lot of people out of here onto the streets when it was -40, made no sense,” said Gross.

“The structure is fine, we just have to get inside and declutter, get some stuff out, and revamp it to what is required.”

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And while the exterior needs considerable work, with utilities still operational, Gross says there are already several parties interested in the potential of the property.

“It’s a good solid building. I hope someone picks it up quick and we can get moving on with some progress and helping some people that need it.”

Since its construction in 1882, the hotel has been the site of stabbings, assaults, and murders throughout the years, a history some believe would be best to move on from.

“The building in my view has fallen so a horrible state of disrepair, that it is likely beyond redemption,” said Marion Willis, the executive director of St. Boniface Street Links.

Willis says the surrounding community should have a say in what comes next on the property, whether that is affordable housing or health supports. 

But in the end, Willis hopes the lesson learned from the Manwin is that stakeholders must come together to prevent further older buildings from fading into memory.