A century-old Winnipeg landmark saw an emotional farewell Monday before it closed its doors forever.

The Assiniboine Park Conservatory closed its doors on Monday, ending its 104-year-old run as one of Winnipeg's favourite places to visit.

"It's been really nice to see people come in and share their memories," said Gerald Dieleman, project director for Canada's Diversity Gardens, the Conservatory's replacement.

Assessments determined that the current building was at the end of its useful life. Dieleman says they are closing it now so it can have a proper goodbye, rather than have a building failure shut it down instantly.

"It's bittersweet," Dieleman admitted. "I'm glad everyone has had a happy memory here."

A number of parents took their kids to see the Conservatory on Monday, a place their parents had been taking them for years already.

"I've been coming here with my parents and so forth all my life," said 78-year-old Hans. He laughed when he said the thing he will miss the most is getting away from winter, a sentiment which was echoed by Heather.

"It's been a nice little reprieve from the winter," she sighed. "It's just beautiful."

The Conservatory was home to many photo shoots and weddings throughout its tenure. Construction on Canada's Diversity Gardens has already started and is scheduled to be completed in 2020.