Photo description:

RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS ENT - Castle at 494 College It's current owner, Van Hoang (spelling correct), a 62-year-old surgeon who migrated to Canada in 2015 from Vietnam and is working to restore its interior to its original glory. Note: Right now there are only a few rooms that have been renovated. Still lots of work to be done. The castle at 494 College Avenue has mesmerized Winnipeggers for over 115 years. Built in the Queen Anne’s style, it was constructed by a trio of Italian brothers in 1906, who lived there until their business was decimated, then became the home of Winnipeg’s first rabbi, David Cantor, for over 40 years. From that house, Cantor regaled to Polish Jews like him that Winnipeg was a place they should see to believe. He’s credited with promoting the city successfully to over 600 polish jewish families in the pre-war era. For several decades, it was a rooming and boarding house. It has become an unofficial North End landmark and now It’s now up for sale. It's current owner is a 62-year-old surgeon who migrated to Canada in 2015 from Vietnam, he's working to restore its interior to its original glory. Ten foot ceilings, beautiful moulding, and a turreted tower — it truly stands out on College, and would anywhere. A look at the castle, its history of kings and queens, and it’s possible future, with insight from the current owner, the city’s historian, neighbours, and the 92-year-old grandson of David Cantor, who recalls visits to his Zaida’s house in the 1930s. April 19, 2021