637 Main Street, Emergency Shelter Expansion
in construction
Size - 65,570 sqft
A Landmark Reimagined
Whether viewed through the lens of architectural significance, historical evolution, or contemporary social impact, 637 Main Street stands as a symbol of reinvention, resilience, and community spirit. Originally constructed in 1907 as a five-storey building at Main Street and Logan Ave, the structure has undergone extensive reimagining. In 1935, the upper three storeys of apartments were removed and replaced by an attic and roof. In 2020, a demising wall was removed, and two addresses became one emergency shelter. Now, in 2026, the building is undergoing another significant transformation.
Dreams into Reality
Main Street Project is the current owner of 637 Main Street. As a non-profit organization, they play a significant role in Winnipeg, providing emergency shelter for the unhoused.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Cibinel Architecture Ltd assisted Main Street Project in the realization of the main floor as an emergency shelter. Now, with a progressive eye on the future, Main Street Project is interested in transforming the emergency shelter into an expanded transitional housing facility. The ground floor will continue as an emergency shelter; however, this next phase will add three new levels to the building, restoring it to a height of four storeys. The updated main floor will include shelter beds, a 24-hour cafeteria, quiet communal areas, washrooms, a cultural room, care facilities, and administrative offices. Folks entering the transitional housing program will progress through three floors, beginning their journey in a bedroom with shared amenities, and ending with a full suite including a washroom and kitchenette that must be cared for by the program participant. Each housing floor will also include caseworker offices, outdoor terraces, and unique layouts to help residents build a sense of home. A large central atrium and skylight will connect the second to fourth floors bringing natural light into the core of the space.
Setting the Foundation
A structural building assessment was completed in 2022. A pressure meter test of the soil below the basement was completed to ensure that the existing foundation was still capable of supporting the additional storeys. Critical issues were revealed including cracks in the existing timber roof beams and basement water/moisture issues. These were addressed by replacing the existing roof structure with a new hybrid steel and wood roof that will become the future second floor. The basement structural steel columns were also encased in reinforced concrete. And a new concrete slab on grade with new subdrainage and sump-pump system was installed to address high water levels.
Goals and Visions
Since 1972, Main Street Project has been a trusted presence in the community, reflecting long-standing support with compassion, dignity, and respect. Main Street Project supports individuals who have often been failed by traditional health care and social service systems, working with people who are experiencing homelessness, mental health challenges, substance use issues, and complex medical conditions such as brain injuries or chronic diseases. Their essential services are guided by values such as harm reduction (supporting people without requiring abstinence or judgment), reconciliation (truth, justice, and healing in response to colonial harm); anti-oppression (addressing systemic barriers and advocating for equity and inclusion); and trauma-informed practice (environments that prioritize safety, trust, and empowerment).
Design Plans into Action
Main Street Project brought these values to the project through an integrated design process, taking an active role on the project team. Cibinel Architecture then put “pen to paper” to formulate the design criteria:
* Revitalize a historical structure and expand its capacity from 150 emergency beds to 120 emergency beds, and 116 Transitional Housing beds.
* Provide space for essential support services, contributing to a safer, inclusive, and vibrant Main Street.
* Create an enjoyable environment for people enjoy and enhance the streetscape with ground-floor transparency, outdoor terraces, accessible and secure entry points, and integrated cultural spaces.
* Address homelessness with dignity and a long-term vision, guiding community members toward independent living.
* Provide ample natural light in common spaces with visual and physical connection to the outdoors and a variety of seating choices.
* Provide safe and low-barrier access to shelter, food, and hygiene throughout the entire facility with roughly 50% of the beds, accessible.
* Create thermal comfort with an energy efficient building.
* Foster greater connection between residents and the broader neighbourhood.
* Reintroduce the building’s architectural presence at a prominent intersection.
The revitalization of 637 Main Street preserves a piece of Winnipeg’s architectural history, and it ensures that the building continues to contribute meaningfully to the neighbourhood, renewing it as a beacon of compassion with a modern, social purpose.
Project Team
Prime Consultant, Architect: Cibinel Architecture Ltd
Structural, Mechanical, Electrical: Tower Engineering
Construction Manager: Bockstael Construction