Rumley Warehouse, Saskatoon

The Rumely Warehouse, located on Pacific Avenue in downtown Saskatoon, is a striking five-story heritage building that embodies early 20th-century industrial ambition and architectural finesse. Built in 1912 by the M. Rumely Company-an Indiana-based manufacturer of agricultural machinery-the warehouse was designed to support the weight and scale of heavy farm equipment. Featuring reinforced concrete construction, nine-inch thick floors, and a robust 12-by-25-foot freight elevator, it was built directly beside a railway spur line, enabling seamless delivery of tractors and threshers to prairie farmers.

Architecturally, the warehouse is a fine example of the Chicago style, known for its practical, load-bearing forms and unadorned strength. Designed by Hill and Waltersdorf, its brick façade and functional layout reflect the industrial confidence of Saskatoon’s boom years. At the time, the city had earned the nickname "Hub City," as it became a major distribution center for central and northern Saskatchewan, with businesses like Rumely playing a central role in the mechanization of agriculture across the prairies.

Though the original Rumely Company went into receivership in 1915, the building remained active under various successors-including Allis-Chalmers Rumely Ltd.-until the mid-20th century. Over the decades, it hosted a range of businesses before undergoing a major transformation in 2007. A five-story addition was added to the south side, and the historic structure was adapted into 30 condominium lofts, with commercial spaces on the ground floor.

Today, the Rumely Warehouse stands as a solid reminder of Saskatoon's industrial roots and adaptive vision-an enduring piece of prairie history now woven into the city’s modern urban fabric.