Winnipeg | Downtown | Hudson’s Bay Building | Wehwehneh Bahgahkinahgohn | U/C - Page 37

Biff · #**721** Posted **Mar 15, 2025, 10:02 PM**

They wanted it up this weekend but were worried by the weather forecast. Glad the snow held off.

ColdRain&Snow · #**722** Posted **Mar 17, 2025, 4:55 PM**

The crane is up!

wags_in_the_peg · #**723** Posted **Mar 19, 2025, 12:12 PM**

Anyone else worried what we are going to hear?

"Southern Chiefs' Organization to adjust cost, scope of downtown Winnipeg Bay redevelopment"

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/wehwehneh-winnipeg-bay-building-update-1.7487182

bomberjet · #**724** Posted **Mar 19, 2025, 12:57 PM**

The article says cost AND scope have risen. So we'll see what they say.

cllew · #**725** Posted **Mar 19, 2025, 2:32 PM**

Maybe its just me but it looks strange to see a tower crane erected to work on an existing building.

pspeid · #**726** Posted **Mar 19, 2025, 2:32 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bomberjet

The article says cost AND scope have risen. So we'll see what they say.

It mentioned more housing units, which I think makes sense. In a way unfortunate but not surprising if the total cost goes up again.

cheswick · #**727** Posted **Mar 19, 2025, 3:14 PM**

Wpg_Guy · #**728** Posted **Mar 19, 2025, 4:09 PM**

Cost is now at $310 Million

Quote:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 19, 2025

ANISHINAABE AND DAKOTA TERRITORY, MB — A tower crane was installed at the Wehwehneh Bahgahkinahgohn construction site, the Southern Chiefs’ Organization’s (SCO) transformative redevelopment of the former Hudson’s Bay building in downtown Winnipeg. This installation signals a significant advancement in the construction of this historic project.

“The installation of this tower crane is a powerful symbol of progress, and every beam lifted into place is another step toward a brighter, more inclusive future,” said Grand Chief Jerry Daniels. “To date, most of the work has been interior demolition and remediation—none of which has been seen by the public. This project is about economic empowerment, creating opportunity, and bringing new life to the heart of Winnipeg in Treaty One Territory.”

The tower crane, which stands as a visible sign of transformation in the city’s skyline, is approximately 190 feet tall or 19 stories tall, with a maximum lifting capacity of 44,000 pounds. Caissons that are four feet in diameter were drilled directly into the bedrock and capped with over 70 cubic meters of concrete to construct the base.

The tower crane will facilitate the structural work required to repurpose the 650,000-square-foot heritage building. As construction moves forward, the project remains a beacon of First Nations empowerment, urban renewal, and downtown revitalization.

The redevelopment, led by SCO in partnership with multiple levels of government, aims to revitalize an iconic building into a space that prioritizes First Nations cultures, economic development, and community services.

Wehwehneh Bahgahkinahgohn is creating social and economic opportunity and serving as an example of true economic reconciliation. The project is creating significant long-term employment of Indigenous workers. With the help of Miikahnah Connect—created to help construction companies find skilled workers and fulfill their project needs—Indigenous employees make up 77 per cent (1042) of the entire workforce on the project, working a total of more than 111,800 hours to the end of February 2025. These figures include 667 workers and nearly 73,000 hours from members of Nations that SCO represents.

The project, first announced in April 2022, represents a bold vision for reconciliation, urban renewal, and economic empowerment. Once completed, Wehwehneh Bahgahkinahgohn—meaning “it is visible” in Anishinaabemowin—will feature:

-373 housing units
-200 affordable housing units for First Nations citizens
-Office and retail spaces to foster First Nations entrepreneurship

With the tower crane now in place, construction will begin on the center atrium and accelerate through 2025, with completion expected in the second quarter of 2028. This milestone reaffirms the project’s mission: to transform a symbol of the past into a vision for the future—one that is truly visible to all.

The total redevelopment budget for Wehwehneh Bahgahkinahgohn is currently $310 million. This is attributed to a combination of increasingly accurate budgeting since the general contractor has been confirmed, supply chain pressures, inflation, and tariff threats on construction materials in addition to heritage building upgrades, structural reinforcements, and modern energy efficiency standards.

“The Wehwehneh Bahgahkinahgohn redevelopment has drawn national attention for its commitment to truth and reconciliation,” shared Chief EJ Fontaine of Sagkeeng Anicinabe First Nation. “The initiative reflects a growing movement toward First Nations-led development that fosters long-term sustainability and community well-being.”

For more information about Wehwehneh Bahgahkinahgohn, visit our website.

-30-

The Southern Chiefs’ Organization represents 32 First Nations and more than 87,000 citizens in what is now called southern Manitoba. SCO is an independent political organization that protects, preserves, promotes, and enhances First Nations peoples’ inherent rights, languages, customs, and traditions through the application and implementation of the spirit and intent of the Treaty-making process.

https://scoinc.mb.ca/tower-crane-installation/

Biff · #**729** Posted **Mar 19, 2025, 4:53 PM**

Who couldn't have seen that coming? Not a single person in the construction industry or anyone else for that matter thought you could redevelop that building for $130m.

I really hope that this project succeeds. It looks amazing and will be a great anchor to the Portage Place redevelopment.

If it does fail my wish is that it happens after the atrium is cut down the middle (which it will clearly accomplish). With the hole cut, the building becomes marketable and the possibility of another developer taking over increases.

I do hope this project succeeds though.

bomberjet · #**730** Posted **Mar 19, 2025, 4:57 PM**

Do they have the money? It doesn't say anything about that.

FactaNV · #**731** Posted **Mar 19, 2025, 5:17 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bomberjet

Do they have the money? It doesn't say anything about that.

Something tells me there won't be money troubles on this project

Biff · #**732** Posted **Mar 19, 2025, 5:25 PM**

As far as I know, this is what they have: $141m?

"The federal government pledged $65 million and the province $35 million for the project when it was announced in 2022, while the city said it would provide $10 million in tax incentives.

After the project’s cost increased to $200 million in 2023, Ottawa announced in May 2024 that it will put up another $31 million.

Winnipeg South MP Terry Duguid, who was sworn in as Canada’s new environment and climate change minister last week, said the federal government’s commitment remains $96 million."

bomberjet · #**733** Posted **Mar 19, 2025, 5:37 PM**

And the $10 million in City tax incentives is not actual money. Just money they wont have to pay.

So that's a lot of money to be found somewhere.

pspeid · #**734** Posted **Mar 19, 2025, 5:44 PM**

I have no doubt the city and province will each offer guarantees of additional $$. The Feds will too if the Liberals form the government again. If PP gets in, then no federal money, unless the project can be re-classified as oil or natural gas development.

Biff · #**735** Posted **Mar 19, 2025, 7:36 PM**

^^^I don't know about that. They need more money than the entire original budget of $130m. The City isn't in any position to give them any money really. I guess the Province could pony up a little more, but not $170m. I doubt the feds will give that much more than the $96m they are already funding.

FactaNV · #**736** Posted **Mar 19, 2025, 7:38 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biff

^^^I don't know about that. They need more money than the entire original budget of $130m. The City isn't in any position to give them any money really. I guess the Province could pony up a little more, but not $170m. I doubt the feds will give that much more than the $96m they are already funding.

I guess SCO'll have to pony up some more.

building_lover · #**737** Posted **Mar 19, 2025, 8:14 PM**

lol $130M > $310M can't be blamed on inflation, who was doing the estimating?? That's waaay beyond the margin of error.

wags_in_the_peg · #**738** Posted **Mar 19, 2025, 8:20 PM**

are all those involved charging 2x-3x bcuz they know it'll get approved due to it being funded by First Nations & Gov't? full audit is in order in my opinion.

reminds me of the time i was getting estimates to get my shingles done. most quotes were $4-$6k, one guy said $12k, i questioned him and he said "who cares insurance paying for it" when i told him it's not insurance claim, his quote was changed to $5500.

similar to body shop, dented bumber is $1000, but if MPI paying they charge $2500.

WinCitySparky · #**739** Posted **Mar 19, 2025, 8:32 PM**

They also cut some of the costliest elements from the project (museum, assisted living, gallery) and price still another $150million? Something stinks.

pegster · #**740** Posted **Mar 19, 2025, 8:49 PM**

I'm not exactly surprised. The retrofitting of a similar, albeit larger, old department store building (a Dayton's, later a Macy's) in Minneapolis has cost upwards of 375 million USD (and has had it's own issues: https://tcbmag.com/beleaguered-daytons-project-put-into-receivership/), but doesn't seem nearly as ambitious as what's planned for HBC.