Adaptive Reuse at U-Haul Moving & Storage of Central Winnipeg

The MacDonald Brothers had nothing to do with a famous fast-food chain with a similar moniker, but they did build a legacy in the sheet metal industry. It started out with the three brothers, Jim, Grant, and Edwin born in Pictou County, Nova Scotia. Eventually, the three brothers made their way west to the United States. Jim became involved in the sheet metal industry early on, founding a business with a partner in 1904. This led to the creation of MacDonald Brothers Sheet Metal and Roofing Limited. During this time, Grant also became keen on studying aircraft through observation. Grant befriended several aircraft pilots, and it was not long before they were familiar with his family’s sheet metal shop. They asked for his help with floats and other repairs which soon got him involved in aircraft maintenance procedures. 

It was decided by the brothers that separating the sheet metal business and aircraft operation was the best decision for operations. In 1930, MacDonald Brothers Aircraft Limited was established right behind the sheet metal shop on Robinson Street. Grant’s charisma allowed him to have a big role in organizing the Aircraft Operators and Manufacturers Association formed in 1936. The company flourished from the gained experience, technique, and growing circle of supportive friends. This let the MacDonald Brothers Aircraft become an important component in the Commonwealth Air Training Program. A new government-established Anson aircraft assembly and maintenance plant was managed by a company in Winnipeg. Even during the war, this organization led by Grant had a reputation for resilience. 

The other brothers, Jim and Edwin, were both partners and directors of the aircraft plant. The wartime demands resulted in the aircraft work being moved to a different site next to the airport. Grant was the general manager and president of the of the aircraft company, and Jim was the president of the sheet metal and roofing business while Edwin helped manage. The first Anson V Trainer aircraft was assembled by the MacDonald Brothers Aircraft Ltd. With the closing of wartime programs, Anson manufacturing came to an end in 1945. The decision was then made to maintain aircraft company activity solely at the airport. The building downtown on Robinson Street was turned over to the Sheet Metal company. Many people were employed at the aircraft plant after the war. The MacDonald Brothers successfully restructured their business and diversified their offerings post war.  

Grant MacDonald passed away at 62, leaving his younger brother, Edwin, to take over as president of both the sheet metal company and the aircraft company. After five years of Edwin being president, MacDonald Bros. Aircraft was sold to Bristol Aeroplane Co. Ltd.pf England. When the parent Bristol company in England had a change in ownership, the Bristol Winnipeg organization was turned into a subsidiary of Rolls-Royce Limited in 1966. A little over thirty years later, Magellan Aerospace acquired Bristol Aerospace (Winnipeg). The powerful team of brothers made an everlasting impact on Winnipeg as an important aviation and aerospace center of excellence. 

The MacDonald Bros. Sheet Metal Ltd. was built in 1914 and U-Haul acquired the property in 2017. Adaptive reuse building conversions allow U-Haul to promote infill development to meet citizens’ needs while preserving the natural resources and land normally required for new construction. Adaptive reuse also allows resources to be focused on integrating environmentally thoughtful features into the existing building rather than creating waste in the form of demolition and using valuable resources for new construction.

Serving U-Haul customers since 2017, this facility was built through adaptive reuse of an abandoned building. Adaptive reuse promotes infill development in an effort to strengthen communities, with the following benefits achieved at this site: 

• 631 tonnes of metal manufacturing & transportation prevented 
• 1,363 tonnes of new concrete pours avoided 
• 2,029 tonnes of construction and demolition debris prevented 

Energy-efficiency and waste-reduction programs at this facility provide the following estimated benefits each year for the Winnipeg community:

• 1,527,769 KG greenhouse gas emissions prevented 

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  Steel Production 696 tons (631 tonnes) of steel manufacturing and delivery saved to date

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  Energy 0 kWh annual energy savings

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  Concrete 1,502 tons (1,363 tonnes) of new concrete pours avoided to date

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  Emissions 3,368,157 lbs (1,527,786 kgs) of greenhouse gas emissions prevented

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  Landfill Debris 2,237 lbs (2,030 kgs) of construction debris prevented

• Recollections: The MacDonald Brothers
• U-Haul Moving & Storage of Central Winnipeg