Winnipeg | Red River College | Innovation Centre Exchange District campus | U/C
 

Red River College - Innovation Centre Exchange District Campus
Location: Winnipeg, MB, Downtown Exchange District Campus
Architect: Diamond Schmitt Architects inc. and Number TEN Architectural Group
Developers: Red River College
Size: 100,000 sq. ft.
Budget: $95M
Completed: 2020 (targeted)
Project Thread: http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/show...light=winnipeg
Status: U/C
Video:
• Video Link

Red River College unveil plan for $95M Innovation Centre at Exchange District campus
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manito...lgin-1.4086516

http://media.rrc.ca/2018/03/red-rive...vation-centre/

Red River College’s new Innovation Centre. (Renderings by Diamond Schmitt Architects)

Location:
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I think this project will be a huge boost for the area and the RRC campus im confident they will work out the funding debacle timeline. I like the overall design although im not sure about the colourfulness of the building, will be interesting to see how it turns out, like anything the materials used will more than likely make or break the overall ascetic look.

I really like how it looks, but $95 million seems pricy for a 4 storey building. That's roughly 1/3 the cost of Manitoba Hydro Place which is far bigger, and is generally considered a no-expense-spared technologically advanced high end tower. I'm not sure if the cost is high due to the building's purpose, or if there's some other reason?

But that said, I hope the players involved can find a way to get it built.

i really hope they're not actually including a raised ped way.. please keep those out of the exchange

I was thinking the same thing, that has to go.

Stunning.

If you intend to have students attend classes in both buildings, with laptops/books, I can see the value of having that there. And it would likely be nice to keep students inside when the school is open after midnight for safety reasons.

This RRC building is a bit unique in that its a brand new construction (not a reno of a heritage building), and theres nothing else of value on that street.

Hadn't seen all those other renderings before – it's absolutely gorgeous. Would be a damn shame if it doesn't get built like that.

A lot of the reason for the price is what the building itself entails – it's going to a have a ton of cutting edge, high-end equipment for the programs it houses, and would make RRC one of the best in the country in those regards. Also so I hear, much like they did with the new building at NDC, the building technologies themselves will be heavily integrated and linked to the programs within (ie: high-tech, IT-forward building to show students real life applications of their studies).

I love the colours in the design – they're kind of like a more bold, modern play on lots of the greens and reds you see on heritage buildings in the area (and on Roblin Centre). Don't forget, it won't look that out of place once all the new Marketlands buildings start coming along.

In terms of the skywalk, I'm impartial. Would rather not have skywalks in The Exchange, but as someone who went to the RRC Princess campus and dealt with the tight security, I could see why it's wanted. I'd rather see the 4-storey atrium continued over the street like at the convention centre though ;) That'd be stunning.

Work on this project is quietly continuing on behind the scenes.


.....not really on hold.

Good to hear, kinda figured that'd be the case. If the school has already decided that this is a building needed to maintain/expand certain programs, and it's really just a formality issue with the gov, I'm sure they'll figure out a way to proceed.

Good to know, the bigger the campus the better for the exchange and another beautiful building.

And it would really help connect the area to all those new developments on Ross.

As an employee of RRC I can say with confidence that we are in fact continuing to move forward with the construction of this facility.

And other than for security and protection from the elements the raised walkway also provides transportation and delivery of items by hand cart back and forth between the 2 buildings.

The walkway should go underground

I realize this may be a somewhat provocative comment, but I wonder if the underground connection between the PSB and the City Hall/Centennial Centre underground passage will continue to exist once the PSB site is redeveloped?

If so, an underground RRC walkway would only need to cross Princess St to link up with that corridor, and then you'd be able to go underground from the new RRC building on Elgin all the way to the Manitoba Museum and Centennial Concert Hall.

Agreed – there's no place for a skywalk in the Exchange, especially between heritage buildings. Either underground or nothing.

I believe there was some language in the Marketlands planning docs about making use of and even improving on the underground connections in the Exchange. Make them more accessible to the public and brighten them up a bit. All the sidewalk art and branding for this Marketlands project was taken from the existing art designs in the underground system stemming from City Hall.

^ I never noticed the connection before (no pun intended) between the tunnel and the graphic design for Marketlands, but now that you mention it, it makes sense.

The underground passage between City Hall and the Centennial Centre is kind of narrow and awkward but it's still useful. It's funny, because the underground corridor within City Hall itself is this beautiful wide sweeping passage, but it leads into this dank little tunnel.

This is a good idea from wpg_guy... if RRC has to build a grade separation, then put it underground and link it up with the existing passageway. It would be a great way to connect an increasingly lively RRC/Marketlands precinct with the Centennial Centre and the East Exchange. :tup:

yeah, funnelling every one off the streets into the pedway will definitely help with security and safety...

^ There are already a lot more people around there than there were 15 years ago... a few people avoiding the worst blasts of winter by walking indoors probably won't have much of an effect.

I'm torn on the idea personally. The utilitarian in me wants the walkway to allow me to be able to access all of downtown in heated or cooled comfort. However, having seen some pretty cold parts of Europe in the winter, and seeing that they give zero shits and still have vibrant streets on the worst of days makes me want us to eschew the heated convenience of the indoor and have our own vibrant streets in winter. Because honestly, when it's -25, there are few things better than having a hot glass of mulled wine outdoors. Granted you wouldn't want to spend that much time outside, there are ways to do it.

The encouraging thing is to see us slowly embrace the reality of our climate and simply enjoy the outdoors no matter the weather.

How many days do we actually get where it uncomfortably cold below -15? 20 or so.

Anything -15 and up with sunshine is beautiful in winter.

Red River Notre Dame campus is completely connected with indoor walkways. Like Kildonaner mentioned, they probably want it for the same reasons. Ease of access for maintenance, etc, etc, between buildings. Maybe they just put a service corridor underground and let everyone else use the street? Seems expensive though.

Exactly. And RRC already has 2 other buildings nearby (Massey and Paterson) not connected. This one will be even closer, and you'll cross a narrow, fairly wind-protected street. Crossing at Princess/William to Massey or Paterson is much windier and colder.

200 days per year the temperature is above zero.
250 days per year it is above -5.

I get why they want the skywalk but it sure ruins that building.

an underground corridor for maintenance workers/shuttling things back and forth via cart would be a better option, I would think. If safety is an issue, well you're not helping the case by removing people from the street. At some point they need to go outside and it's a hell of a lot better if there's dozen/hundreds of people out in the area.

^ they're following the same development model that most of dt follows... drive to where you're going, park inside, stay inside, get back into your car, leave.

Except there's no indoor/connected parkade or transit here, so it's even more ridiculous.

Agreed, the overhead walkway is a travesty for an historic district. Has this all been approved by the city?

Part of what I like about an underground passage is that it wouldn't mar the streetscape like an overhead walkway. And the fact that underground walkways are inherently less pleasant than walking outside or even above-ground where you typically have big windows and bright spaces means that its use will be mostly restricted to the coldest or rainiest days. So really, RRC can't lose with an underground walkway :tup:

agreed, it's going to ruin that streetscape, which I would have thought would be a factor for the city in approving it in a national historic site.

My two cents...

I have to say that the walkway really doesn't bother me. If it was in the heart of the exchange with heritage buildings all around then I could agree. There is really nothing around this and it is going from an ultra modern looking building to a faux heritage building. There is absolutely nothing west down the street but some houses a few hundred yards away. I feel that there is no real exchange streetscape to ruin here. If it helps RRC build connectivity between their buildings then so be it. I wouldn't approve somewhere like King & McDermot.

^ Agreed. Context is key.

I think it's fine; agree with Mr. Biff.

The skywalk is fine. I agree with Biff as well.

Sorry to break up the love-in, but I have to disagree. It is within the boundaries of a national historic site, and there is such a thing as a slippery slope when comes to a district like this slowly getting chipped away. The tunnel would be a great idea. But apart from that, sometimes people actually move between buildings without the benefit of a tunnel or an overhead walkway. They open the door of the building they are in and walk outside to the other building they are going to. They they open the door and go in. Plastering walkways everywhere is such a Winnipeg thing. We don't need new ones.

I'm on your side. If this was truly the edge of the heritage district, maybe you could argue for it. However, the entire east facade of the Roblin Centre (RRC) is historic, along with the east half of the north facade (full intact building facade). Plus, there's historic buildings for numerous blocks to the north, and even a block deep to the west – and those areas are starting to see development pick up.

Sure, the Marketlands will likely result in all new buildings – but even then, they will likely reflect the scale of the area, and the park/plaza area may even open up to Elgin there. I just don't see a case for it being allowed. If it's that important – build it underground.

Maintenance and tech staff that service all existing buildings don't seem to be up in arms about having to cross the street now. And even more, this building is a specific department – there's a good chance students and teachers may not even have classes in both buildings.

I don't think the walkway is that bad but I can't support it simply because it seems so unnecessary. It's a solution for a problem that doesn't exist. Like just walk across the damn street. What is it about Winnipeg that we can't fathom the idea that people would just walk across a street at ground level?

Consider me slightly pro-walkway.

I appreciate but do not romanticize heritage, and don't find it an offense to have something modern connected to something ageless.

When the weather is suitable, nobody will use it. Connectivity is key for any development, and we don't have the critical mass to thumb our noses at a practical, if un-sexy tool.

Exactly. Aside from the original campus, U of W has buildings scattered all over the West End that aren't connected (and much further apart than these two) and you don't hear people complaining about it there. How hard is it to put your jacket on – most people would have it with them anyway.

And get some fresh air ...

The main campus has overhead walkways and I can't imagine being without them. Underground would mean sump pits, constantly running pumps and enourmous bills when it started to leak. Overhead is ideal.

Going outside is fine too, but tell that to the guys that push the carts of printer paper around.

The cold is absolutely a problem that exists.
I think you guys are missing the point... this is how Wpg used to think apartments... don't do the unnecessary. One of the mindsets that's holding us back.

Students, residents, tenants, end users have evolved. The story is now "what have you done for me lately?" Connectivity is one of the foremost amenities desired by end users of real estate. It's a key component of "location, location, location".

You don't get people into your building, you don't curate great atmosphere by telling the customers and surrounding area that they don't need something, unless it's too cost-prohibitive.

We also need to use foresight here... it's vital to create urban environments that non-Winnipeggers, whether new immigrants or new companies can enjoy. Little things like these walkways go a long way towards not attracting, but securing interest.

Notre Dame Campus is vast, sparse, and more spread out and extremely windy (like U of M), much more than Exchange District Campus. U of W is fairly spread out and almost nothing is connected – it's a vibrant campus area. This is literally crossing essentially a residential street. If anything, city should raise the road between these two buildings like at the airport, or what's happening at TNS. Make it a more inviting area, shared-use road and safe crossing.

Also Wolf, there's a big difference between doing the bare minimum or eliminating extra wants, and not doing things that are fully unnecessary, out of character for environment, and don't benefit most people. If there was an existing skywalk network in the Exchange, it'd make sense, but this is just not worth the side effects.

The plan is to close the street to cars between the two buildings.

Love it. Even more reason against the sidewalk, won't have to wait to safely cross.

That is where the accessible loading is now though – only other real options would be to move the bus stop on William and use that as loading, or either move the bus stop on Princess and/or reconfigure Princess. Right now there's no stopping for 80% of the block on the right lane of Princess, essentially making one long right turn lane to William. No reason that block needs 3 "through" lanes and a left parking lane.

So students are going to say "you know I would enroll at RRC but I might end up having class at that building without the walkway and then I could have to go outside for like 20 seconds. Maybe I'll just go to SAIT instead"?? There's no attached parkade or bus shelter so how are these people getting to and from the building if they're too delicate to be outside for 20 seconds? The fact that they're closing the street and building the walkway makes it extra ridiculous.

Good News
 

https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/lo...488447321.html

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This should be contingent on dropping the skywalk ;)

Get ready to change to under construction.

It's going to be a monumental change for that area between RRC and all the new apartments on Ross. Plus someone mentioned one of the warehouses on Ross has a conversion planned soon as well.

Then Marketlands should start...

The area is going to be fantastic, and attention will soon shift toward Chinatown.