Winnipeg | Hudson’s Bay Building | Wehwehneh Bahgahkinahgohn | U/C

[drew]

An architect could probably confirm - but it will really depend on the existing spacing between columns in the basement to determine if it would work for parking. You need a minimum width drive isle, and parking space width.

Then you would need to completely revamp the HVAC for parking.

I imagine it needs to be fully sprinklered too.

And, you need a ramp down there, which requires a lot of real estate somewhere.

Next.

[esquire]

^ If they made parking work in the even older Cityplace building, which has some weird and awkward layouts, one would think it could be done at Hudson's Bay.

I wonder whether getting that cash flow going might improve the building's long term odds of survival as compared to simply boarding it all up for the next decade or two or three?

[drew]

Originally Posted by esquire

^ If they made parking work in the even older Cityplace building, which has some weird and awkward layouts, one would think it could be done at Hudson's Bay.

I wonder whether getting that cash flow going might improve the building's long term odds of survival as compared to simply boarding it all up for the next decade or two or three?

Building Codes change. How long ago was City Place converted? The 70s?

[joshlemer]

A similar project in scope, for some inspiration, is renovation of Maple Leaf Gardens in downtown Toronto a decade ago.: https://www.google.com/maps/@43.6618...7i16384!8i8192

See some detailed images here: https://www.blogto.com/city/2010/10/...dens_makeover/

In summary:
Basement: Parking
Main floor: converted to a Loblaws (Superstore)
Second/Third floor: Liquor Store, Joe Fresh clothing. Ryerson University space, Gym.
Third/Fourth+: Smaller hockey arena, reusing the nosebleed sections of the original arena.

[BuildUpWpg]

Originally Posted by joshlemer

A similar project in scope, for some inspiration, is renovation of Maple Leaf Gardens in downtown Toronto a decade ago.: https://www.google.com/maps/@43.6618...7i16384!8i8192

See some detailed images here: https://www.blogto.com/city/2010/10/...dens_makeover/

In summary:
Basement: Parking
Main floor: converted to a Loblaws (Superstore)
Second/Third floor: Liquor Store, Joe Fresh clothing. Ryerson University space, Gym.
Third/Fourth+: Smaller hockey arena, reusing the nosebleed sections of the original arena.

The problem is that we are not Toronto or Calgary. We have very little demand here for any kind of downtown space, and we don't have all the people with deep pockets to produce and support something this grand that those cities have.

[(sub)urban]

Bowman today announced the formation of 'The Bay Downtown Advisory Committee,' to advise on opportunities for future use of landmark downtown location at 450 Portage Avenue.

https://www.mayorbowman.ca/news/read...ntown-winnipeg

[pspeid]

Originally Posted by (sub)urban

Bowman today announced the formation of 'The Bay Downtown Advisory Committee,' to advise on opportunities for future use of landmark downtown location at 450 Portage Avenue.

https://www.mayorbowman.ca/news/read...ntown-winnipeg

IMO A good and necessary first step. I feel there are some good people on the board with experience movie things forward. I would have liked to see someone from the Province there as well, but maybe there will be someone in the future.

[esquire]

^ Kind of hard to fathom that there's no one there from the province. Remember when they used to be front and centre with these types of downtown developments?

[trueviking]

Originally Posted by esquire

^ Kind of hard to fathom that there's no one there from the province. Remember when they used to be front and centre with these types of downtown developments?

maybe if it was Portage la Prairie instead of Portage Avenue, there would be Provincial representation.

good one about the pea plant. Not far off.

[Jeff]

i guess pallister's first idea of repurposing the bay into a pea protein processing facility was rejected at the offset.

[esquire]

[pspeid]

Article from today's CBC website:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manit...roup-1.5849653

Usually I am very much in favour of heritage organizations having a voice in Winnipeg developments, but in this case I fear their presence would be "heritage overkill" (if such a thing exists). The building is already protected to a certain degree. It's going to be difficult enough to re-purpose the structure within the limitations of the heritage designation, but having a voice/voices at the table that tries to rule on what is appropriate to have in the building could make the job economically impossible. It's a beautiful building, but it takes up so much space it also needs to serve as an economic driver for the downtown. Basically I fear that voices with no resources ($$) to contribute to the building redevelopment will somehow end up with a veto over how it's developed. Guess we'll just have to wait to find out.

[buzzg]

Agreed. They had input – the building is designated.

[Luisito]

I hope they do something with that parkade in the back of the Bay. That place is a real eye sore. That location deserve something better.

[buzzg]

Likely the only way anything happens to the parkade is if CV is able to overpay for it, take a bit of a loss, and resell it to who/whatever ends up happening with the Bay for a much larger development.

[bomberjet]

Insert: tear that parkade down prior to selling the land.

[pspeid]

From today's CBC website:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manit...ment-1.5847281

interesting that there has apparently been some private interest already voiced, though the scope and seriousness of the inquiries isn't stated here (possibly just parties "kicking tires" at this point?).I'm glad Spiring came out early and stated the need for the building to continue to be an economic driver for the downtown. I would guess that having some kind of public funding to at least bring the building up to code may be necessary. I hope the redevelopment effort will need some kind of positive news in the next few months.

[esquire]

Given what we've seen over the last 40-odd years, it's fair to say that not a lot of big developments happen downtown without some level of provincial government involvement. And we know that Pallister will not be the driving force behind anything like that.

So realistically I'd imagine that the best that can be done for now is to secure the building and wait until the NDP gets back into office. Then you can have development conversations knowing that the province is willing and able to step in and play a supporting role of some kind.

PS - it was cool to see vike on The National last night, good stuff.

[Wpg_Guy]

Originally Posted by esquire

PS - it was cool to see vike on The National last night, good stuff.

That coat

[robertocarlos]

Originally Posted by Wpg_Guy

That coat

He is well dressed.

I miss the European Pastry shop. There is nothing downtown now.