Great lengths were gone through to save the Kerr House.

Originally located at 453 Qu’Appelle Avenue, the home was built in 1887 for Francis Ferguson Kerr. The compact 1 ½ storey brick building is designed in the Second Empire style. Second Empire enjoyed a small window of popularity in Winnipeg, so Kerr House is a rare example.

Kerr House has a picturesque asymmetrical façade, with a steeply pitched mansard roof. Dormers of varying sizes jut out of the rooftop at all sides, and framed by decorative wooden trim. Red and grey brickwork add a bright colour contrast to the already eclectic façade.

Once Kerr left in 1893, the home became rental property until 1979 – at which point, the property was scheduled for demolition to make way for a playground. Residents and heritage advocates protested to the City of Winnipeg – though no clear answer could be found. That is, until Giovanni Geremia intervened with a plan to save the building and allow for the new playground. Geremia purchased the home for $1, on the evening of December 2nd, 1988 the Kerr House was moved to 351 Assiniboine Avenue. Geremia re-designed the home into rental office space.