Winnipeg Construction X

[JWinnipeg1991]

Found it, thanks! From my point of view it looked like it was right by the RIC.

https://www.atlrg.ca/127-bannatyne

[1ajs]

yep thats what i was thinking u saw

[rdaner]

I find this funny because I only know about your city from this site (but plan on visiting soon!) And the consensus is that the downtown is a crime filled, empty disaster. However every time that I come on here I discover another building going up which most likely makes Winnipeg miles ahead of any other NA downtown of its size! Lol

[FactaNV]

Originally Posted by rdaner

I find this funny because I only know about your city from this site (but plan on visiting soon!) And the consensus is that the downtown is a crime filled, empty disaster. However every time that I come on here I discover another building going up which most likely makes Winnipeg miles ahead of any other NA downtown of its size! Lol

Winnipeg has its problems but it also has so much going for it. People have to stop comparing Winnipeg to Toronto and Vancouver. Compare it to Boise Idaho or Hamilton and it becomes apparent how much punch above its weight class Winnipeg has.

[Gravity Wins]

I don't buy that argument at all. Winnipeg isn't just building slow compared to Toronto or Vancouver... it's slow compared to Kelowna. A sleepy lakeside town that is currently reaching for the skies with its downtown core thanks to a new UBC campus, a growing tech industry, and a bigger city to model themselves after (Vancouver).

Winnipeg has two major Universities that aren't doing anything to help densify the core. A local business culture that want suburban office malls for an easy commute home. And an urbanist forum content with saying "Well, at least we aren't Boise".

We can and should do better.

[FactaNV]

Originally Posted by Gravity Wins

I don't buy that argument at all. Winnipeg isn't just building slow compared to Toronto or Vancouver... it's slow compared to Kelowna. A sleepy lakeside town that is currently reaching for the skies with its downtown core thanks to a new UBC campus, a growing tech industry, and a bigger city to model themselves after (Vancouver).

Of course Kelowna is going gangbusters, their housing market exploded when the place became a rich persons playground in the mountains, drawing from a population of hundreds of thousands looking to remain in BC but leave Vancouver. Of course it was at the expense of the Poors who are largely being priced out of even the shittiest rentals, never mind owning but screw them. Migration to Winnipeg is bullish but it's facetious to compare migration patterns with what's currently going on in BC. I've worked pretty extensively with Kelowna and Vernon folk and its shocking how quick the demand shot up. Also, let's not go crazy here either, they have nine buildings over 20 stories.

Originally Posted by Gravity Wins

Winnipeg has two major Universities that aren't doing anything to help densify the core. A local business culture that want suburban office malls for an easy commute home. And an urbanist forum content with saying "Well, at least we aren't Boise".

I'm not sure if you're trolling rn because at the moment the University of Winnipeg's Development Arm UWCRC 1.0/2.0 has already put up several towers, has a couple midrises on the way and a 21 story is currently rising up on what has become one of the densest highrise blocks in the city because of them.

Also, the University of Manitoba's Southwood Circle is under construction as we speak. I think homes for 20,000 people is quite the densification process on an old golf course.

Yeah, at least we ain't Boise. A mid-sized prairie city just like us but without the extensive arts and culture, food scene, amenities, music options, etc.

Originally Posted by Gravity Wins

We can and should do better.

I agree but you have to be realistic. We struggle attracting people at the scale BC or Southern Ontario does, so naturally you won't see 10 starts all at once, there simply isn't the money for it here. I wish I could build some high rises but alas, I'm simply a desk jockey that larps as an Army guy sometimes.

[Winnipegger]

Originally Posted by Gravity Wins

I don't buy that argument at all. Winnipeg isn't just building slow compared to Toronto or Vancouver... it's slow compared to Kelowna. A sleepy lakeside town that is currently reaching for the skies with its downtown core thanks to a new UBC campus, a growing tech industry, and a bigger city to model themselves after (Vancouver).

Winnipeg has two major Universities that aren't doing anything to help densify the core. A local business culture that want suburban office malls for an easy commute home. And an urbanist forum content with saying "Well, at least we aren't Boise".

We can and should do better.

You can't make these comments without understanding the economics of each market. Winnipeg and Kelowna are two completely different rental and construction markets, and for very different reasons. As FactaNV has said, Kelowna has become a place for rich Canadian retirees and people priced out of Vancouver thanks to its favorable climate. Because of this, here are some things you should consider before whining that Winnipeg isn't "performing" at the same level as a relatively small, touristy, warm, retirement and tourism-centric city in BC:

- Average monthly rent in Kelowna is $1,634 and is $1,257 in Winnipeg. Believe it or not, being able to ask 30% more in rent can substantially alter the economics of what type and quality of building can feasibly get financed and built.

- Average selling price of new units built in Kelowna was $1.5M and was $630k in Winnipeg. Again, believe it or not being able to ask 130% more for a new built in Kelowna also changes the economics of what type and quality of building developers will build.

It's not that Kelowna economy is eons ahead of Winnipeg and is pumping out high-paying six figure (or seven figure) jobs well beyond the rate of what Winnipeg can produce. It's that developers in Kelowna are catering to wealthy Canadians across the country looking for a warm, pleasant, and relatively quiet community to retire or vacation in, which substantially alters the type of construction you will see.

Is the average Kelownaian purchasing a $1.5M house because their jobs are so much more high paying than ours? Hardly. Median employment income in Winnipeg was $36,400 and was $35,200 in Kelowna 2020. Meanwhile, median government transfers was $7,600/person in Winnipeg and $10,100 in Kelowna in 2020, reflecting the fact that Kelowna has a significantly higher amount of individuals bringing in Canada Pension and Old Age Security in Kelowna versus Winnipeg.

So no, it's not that Winnipeg sucks compared to Kelowna. It's that Kelowna has become a unique rich retirement community.

If you want to compare progress in Winnipeg, compare us to Edmonton, Hamilton, Regina, Saskatoon, or Quebec. Those cities will be much more comparable.

[pspeid]

^^ Some great responses here from FactaNV and Winnipegger. I am all for Winnipeg working to "do better" as a city. For me, if we can make a dent in homelessness and addictions, we're well on our way to doing just that. Of course, this is a construction forum, and I want to see the new builds, especially downtown, as much as anyone.

Just a suggestion: I think if people want to compare Winnipeg to other cities they should scan the local news from those other Canadian cities for a couple of months. What they'll find in many cases is a similar selection of issues to what we see here. It might reduce the "we're so uniquely pathetic in Winnipeg" drone that gets so tiresome.

[bon_vivant]

True, our problems aren't so unique, but our civic leaders need to do a better job of rising to the challenge. They can start by putting the city's needs ahead of their own agendas.

Kelowna is TERRIBLE. I lived nearby for a number of years and visited frequently for shopping etc. It's almost as expensive as Vancouver with NONE of the appeal (unless proximity to wildfires is a thrill for you). It has to be one of the most overrated cities in Canada.

[Biff]

A different Station Place rendering...shorter building under construction now just NE of Jubilee and Pembina. 2nd tower to start next spring.

[ColdRain&Snow]

Originally Posted by Biff

A different Station Place rendering...shorter building under construction now just NE of Jubilee and Pembina. 2nd tower to start next spring.

Watch out Toronto here we come!

Actually though, it's nice to see some high-rises going in by a Rapid Transit station. Some actual TOD for once.

[Kris22]

Wow. A new landmark for that area. Much like the Arc buildings on south pembina.

I'm totally fine with this development company recycling their designs all over the city. The vertical lines are timeless and classy and the glass-to-concrete ratio is good enough in my books.

I wish this is what was built at confusion corner instead of that "giant dental clinic" as my friend refers to it.

[bon_vivant]

Originally Posted by Kris22

Wow. A new landmark for that area. Much like the Arc buildings on south pembina.

I'm totally fine with this development company recycling their designs all over the city. The vertical lines are timeless and classy and the glass-to-concrete ratio is good enough in my books.

I wish this is what was built at confusion corner instead of that "giant dental clinic" as my friend refers to it.

Agreed! That white building is terrible. This development will help detract some attention from it. Looks good to me.

[Ozabald]

Originally Posted by FactaNV

Winnipeg has its problems but it also has so much going for it. People have to stop comparing Winnipeg to Toronto and Vancouver. Compare it to Boise Idaho or Hamilton and it becomes apparent how much punch above its weight class Winnipeg has.

Glad you brought up Boise, ID. Guess you are not aware Boise is a "boomtown". It's rated as one the best US state capitals; and rated as one of the best cities to live in the US. Its tech sector makes Winnipeg's look microscopic. Micron is building a $15B (yes billion) semi-conductor manufacturing facility in Boise; and Meta (Facebook) is planning a $800M data centre. Plus, Idaho is the fourth fastest growing state.

Getting back to Canada, let's compare Winnipeg to Halifax; as an example. One has a desolate downtown; while one is a thriving downtown full of retail, restaurants, residential, people, tourists, is safe and clean. One thing Winnipeg and Halifax share: both have lousy transit systems.

[T'Cona]

Yes, Boise is a great city. I was there a couple of years ago and definitely you can feel the vitality; it puts Winnipeg to shame. Downtown Halifax also makes downtown Winnipeg look bad. I moved to Spruce Grove last year, and downtown Edmonton isn't so great either to be honest. I try not to compare cities but I think it is a natural thing to do when you visit a successful city and wish what you see and experience was the same in the city in which you reside. I do feel optimism when I imagine the Railside project finished, which I feel would have a huge impact on the downtown. It is almost tiring hearing and reading it but we need more people living and visiting downtown.

[BKB]

Originally Posted by Ozabald

Glad you brought up Boise, ID. Guess you are not aware Boise is a "boomtown". It's rated as one the best US state capitals; and rated as one of the best cities to live in the US. Its tech sector makes Winnipeg's look microscopic. Micron is building a $15B (yes billion) semi-conductor manufacturing facility in Boise; and Meta (Facebook) is planning a $800M data centre. Plus, Idaho is the fourth fastest growing state.

Getting back to Canada, let's compare Winnipeg to Halifax; as an example. One has a desolate downtown; while one is a thriving downtown full of retail, restaurants, residential, people, tourists, is safe and clean. One thing Winnipeg and Halifax share: both have lousy transit systems.

Data centres employ very few people.

[Kris22]

Can you guys take the conversations not related to construction elsewhere please? Maybe the Winnipeg- Of Interest thread.

[Justanothermember]

Originally Posted by Ozabald

Glad you brought up Boise, ID. Guess you are not aware Boise is a "boomtown". It's rated as one the best US state capitals; and rated as one of the best cities to live in the US. Its tech sector makes Winnipeg's look microscopic. Micron is building a $15B (yes billion) semi-conductor manufacturing facility in Boise; and Meta (Facebook) is planning a $800M data centre. Plus, Idaho is the fourth fastest growing state.

Getting back to Canada, let's compare Winnipeg to Halifax; as an example. One has a desolate downtown; while one is a thriving downtown full of retail, restaurants, residential, people, tourists, is safe and clean. One thing Winnipeg and Halifax share: both have lousy transit systems.

Ah, the anti-Winnipeg troll arrives just in time to dump all over the city, his signature characteristic.Never once has he said anything positive about the city, only posting to disparage.

Pathetically predictable.

[Winnipegger]

Originally Posted by Ozabald

Micron is building a $15B (yes billion) semi-conductor manufacturing facility in Boise; and Meta (Facebook) is planning a $800M data centre. Plus, Idaho is the fourth fastest growing state.

US Federal Government is giving Micron a $6.1B (yes billion) subsidy for Micron to build their fab plants in Boise and New York as part of Biden's CHIPS and Science act.

Don't pretend these massive investments made in smaller US communities materialize out of thin air. They are largely driven by the massive stimulus policies enacted at a federal level including the CHIPS act to move semiconductor production to the US and others like the Inflation Reduction Act.

The only recent stimulus of proportionate scale I can think of in Canada has been the green tech subsidies given in Quebec and Ontario for electric vehicle production, which makes sense since those regions already have the supply chains for vehicle manufacturing. Other than that, federal stimulus in the last few years post COVID has been focused on daycare, dentalcare, and healthcare.

You can't blame Winnipeg for not getting US stimulus money. I'm sure if the feds up here promised to subsidize 40% of investment in some sort of manufacturing facility, you'd see things pop up too.

[dmacc]

Originally Posted by Winnipegger

US Federal Government is giving Micron a $6.1B (yes billion) subsidy for Micron to build their fab plants in Boise and New York as part of Biden's CHIPS and Science act.

Don't pretend these massive investments made in smaller US communities materialize out of thin air. They are largely driven by the massive stimulus policies enacted at a federal level including the CHIPS act to move semiconductor production to the US and others like the Inflation Reduction Act.

The only recent stimulus of proportionate scale I can think of in Canada has been the green tech subsidies given in Quebec and Ontario for electric vehicle production, which makes sense since those regions already have the supply chains for vehicle manufacturing. Other than that, federal stimulus in the last few years post COVID has been focused on daycare, dentalcare, and healthcare.

You can't blame Winnipeg for not getting US stimulus money. I'm sure if the feds up here promised to subsidize 40% of investment in some sort of manufacturing facility, you'd see things pop up too.

haha, turns out the feds will be doing something. Just obviously its investment is in the east and not in Winnipeg.

https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/canada-invests-millions-build-chip-173535440.html