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1031 Rosser Avenue Brandon, Manitoba becomes a Heritage site.  
 
Designation Authority: The City of Brandon  
Current Owner: H. A. Jansen (4906501 Manitoba Ltd.)  
 
The Chrest/Fraser Block is one of Brandon’s oldest original buildings remaining on historic Rosser Avenue. Building contractor H. W. Wheedon completed the structure in 1890 at a cost $13,000 to build.  
 
Notable Brandon architect W. R. Marshall designed the 3-storey building, and its large curved windows and Romanesque style make it architecturally unique from other Brandon landmarks.  
 
Although the wide central bay is placed off-center, unity is gained by the now weathered Calgary sandstone arch and mullions, which pull the upper two stories together.  
 
The building was the location for the A. C. Fraser Dry Goods Store, one of the city’s leading department stores, prior to 1909. Mr. Fraser spent some sixty years in the public eye, serving as a member of Brandon City Council, Mayor of the City of Brandon, Member of the Legislature, and publisher of the local short-lived newspaper, The Brandon News.  
 
The McKee Academy was also located on the upper floor of the building.  
 
In 1899, it became the foundation for Brandon College, which in 1967 became Brandon University.  
 
The building was renamed the Chrest Block in honor of its new owner, Mr. Nick Chrest who along with his brothers, operated a dry-cleaning business at this location until the early 70's. It is now home to Pennywise Books.  
 
Source: http://www.gov.mb.ca/chc/hrb/mun/m010.html