Winnipeg developer recognized with honorary street naming

Monte Nathanson, a visionary who helped transform Winnipeg’s Exchange District, was honoured with a street renaming.

The City of Winnipeg has officially recognized a man who helped revitalize and transform Winnipeg’s Exchange District.

Councillor Vivian Santos announced an honorific street naming of the area between 93 Lombard Avenue and 111 Lombard Avenue intersecting with Westbrook Street as “Monte Nathanson Way.” The name honours the developer, who passed away in 2024 at the age of 93.

“Monte was a pioneer, not just in bricks and mortar, but in imagination,” Santos said. “When others looked at Winnipeg’s old warehouse buildings and saw relics of the past, Monte saw potential. He believed in the power of restoration and revitalization, and through his leadership, we saw the rebirth of the Exchange District.”

In the 1970s, Nathanson transformed 93 Lombard Avenue, which was a warehouse and a pipe factory, into a new office building in the Exchange District.

“It was in shambles: sinking floors, rail sidings, corroded plumbing and a dilapidated loading dock,” said his daughter Sherryl Steinberg. “But that’s not what he saw. He saw the beauty of original brick and beam. He saw a stately, dignified building that could become the launchpad for a revitalized area. Once again, he had a plan to restore Winnipeg’s architectural heritage and make the Exchange District and waterfront a place to work, live and learn.”

Nathanson, who helped create United Equities Group, also helped restore numerous historic properties in Winnipeg, including 111 Lombard Avenue and 200 Waterfront Drive.

“Monte left his mark, not only in our skyline, but in the very soul of our downtown,” Santos said. “His work helped build the cultural and economic vibrancy we are all enjoying today.”