Winnipeg Construction XI

[Biff]

...yeah, unfortunately every lot in that picture is still there (except for 138 Portage)

[neutroniks]

Originally Posted by Sheepish

Hmmm...other than the stucture at Donald and St. Mary (which you really cannot see the empty lot here), which lots in this image have been developed? And Neutroniks...it's not just how different ithe city would look, it's how different it would actually BE! The whole feel of downtown would be different. This should be a wake up call to our leaders at all levels to develop strategies to encourage the development of these lots.

That's exactly what Ill people all the time. Walking through our downtown, it's actually quite large. Fill all those parking lots with people and buildings and it'll feel exactly like what it's supposed to be; a destination, a metropolis. and that's not to say it's not currently a destination. There's tons of things and events going on. You just have to look

[neutroniks]

Originally Posted by Biff

...yeah, unfortunately every lot in that picture is still there (except for 138 Portage)

Yeah the lots just west of the tracks I'd say are the biggest blight. You drive across Provoncher Bridge to such a good view, and then you drive through that little strip around Westbrooke and Portage and you're like.. what?

[Spocket]

I'm a little confused: why are people lamenting the lack of change on this new Google update? That model is maybe 6 months or so old. I would hardly expect much to look different after 6 months. Even boomtowns don't see that much change.

Now, if we're talking about the prodigious parking lots, well, yeah, that's a shame but you have to look at it compared to the last model. There's been a ton of change since then. More development has taken place that has made a visual impact on the skyline in the past 15 years than my entire life prior to those 15 years (for reference, I'm pushing 50) Of course there's plenty to do but we're definitely heading in the right direction. It was stagnant for decades and now we're moving again. Let's be positive: we have good reason.

[Biff]

I made this last night. I feel that these large areas of parking lots are the biggest hinderance to downtown feeling empty and unwalkable.

I am really torn as to if I were the City and had the means to induce development in a select area - which one I would choose first.

My 1 and 2 would be the Red - Graham area and Blue - Main St strip. I think I would likely choose the Graham area as I feel that gap between Fort and Smith is the largest glaring void that forms a disconnect between P&M and the rest of downtown.

As for the Main St strip, I can't believe that such a visible stretch of one of our two main avenues is a wasteland. It desperately needs a strip of 10ish storey residential buildings.

The Yellow area around Donald and the WCB building is another canyon of vast asphalt prairie. You would think the proximity to the convention centre would have spurred some hotel construction but? Hopefully Donald will see some more residential construction with DSM construction acting as a catalyst.

The Green lots in the gap between the Forks and the Exchange is the most perplexing for me. I can't believe that developers haven't been knocking down lot owners doors to build residential here. This could easily become Winnipeg's best neigborhood if it was filled up with 10-20 storey multi-family like Griffintown in MTL.

[FactaNV]

I would be curious to see an overlay of these lots showing who owns them. They're probably owned by the same two or three rent-seekers, minus the WCB lot (for which the province should mandate development)

[theruler462]

Originally Posted by FactaNV

...minus the WCB lot (for which the province should mandate development)

But where will I park for Jets games?

[FactaNV]

Originally Posted by theruler462

But where will I park for Jets games?

Just knock politely on the CLC delivery door, lots of room underneath the stadium lol

[neutroniks]

This is a very good break down. Completely agree that there needs to be some sort of focused development like with Railside to create communities like Griffintown in MTL, Yaletown in Vancouver, etc.

And @Spocket, absolutely. We've made leaps and bounds since the dreary days of the 90s and 2000s where we didn't see any sky cranes for decades. This is just me being hopeful and seeing all the potential

[Biff]

I have posted this before, but I would love this kind of scale for south Main St. This is the Barcode development in Oslo, Norway. When I came across this project I thought it was perfect as it backs onto a major set or rail lines and station like in Winnipeg where people say no one would want to live against the tracks. Winnipeg has four tracks along Main St, this development backs onto 11 tracks.

[lbnevs]

Originally Posted by Biff

I have posted this before, but I would love this kind of scale for south Main St. This is the Barcode development in Oslo, Norway. When I came across this project I thought it was perfect as it backs onto a major set or rail lines and station like in Winnipeg where people say no one would want to live against the tracks. Winnipeg has four tracks along Main St, this development backs onto 11 tracks.

Rail in Norway is predominantly passenger rail, the majority of which is electric, on modern track beds.

Rail in Canada is primarily longer, heavier, diesel freight trains, on ballast-based beds.

My guess is that backing onto 4 rail tracks in Winnipeg would be louder than backing onto 11 rail tracks in Oslo.

That said, there are lots of places with development backing right onto rail (despite the noise). Liberty Village in Toronto has tons of development right on the rail lines.

[Brick&BRT]

The core has actually averaged about one new tower per year since the last 2014 Google updates. We've seen 3 new white towers by the WAG, 3 new blue towers at TNS, Glasshouse, 300 Assiniboine, D Condos, Broadway Commons, the highrise at Harkness Station, the tower rising on Mayfair, and a new tallest for our city on Main.

There's also been a re-clad or two, plus lots of infill in the Exchange and the Village.

The federal HAF funds promise other jazz in the works too. Once Marketlands is in full swing and the Forks doubles in size I think we'll better appreciate this urban momentum.

Here's hoping there's more good news in store down the road!

[neutroniks]

Originally Posted by Brick&BRT

The core has actually averaged about one new tower per year since the last 2014 Google updates. We've seen 3 new white towers by the WAG, 3 new blue towers at TNS, Glasshouse, 300 Assiniboine, D Condos, Broadway Commons, the highrise at Harkness Station, the tower rising on Mayfair, and a new tallest for our city on Main.

There's also been a re-clad or two, plus lots of infill in the Exchange and the Village.

The federal HAF funds promise other jazz in the works too. Once Marketlands is in full swing and the Forks doubles in size I think we'll better appreciate this urban momentum.

Here's hoping there's more good news in store down the road!

Totally agree. We've definitely have had a boom, and I think momentum is only going to continue. Think the 2020's will be very good to Winnipeg.

[trueviking]

I have this cascade of parking lots view from my office window that is crazy...especially in winter when the trees have no leaves.....The big lot on Bannatyne would be so great to redevelop. I have done easily five proposals for that property....i also get a great view of the ugliest parkade ever built in the world.

[trueviking]

I love that neighbourhood in Oslo....every building is beautiful.

[FactaNV]

Originally Posted by trueviking

I have this cascade of parking lots view from my office window that is crazy...especially in winter when the trees have no leaves.....The big lot on Bannatyne would be so great to redevelop. I have done easily five proposals for that property....i also get a great view of the ugliest parkade ever built in the world.

When you mention proposals on that lot, do you mean kinda cold calling the owner with ideas or are they actively interested in redevelopment?

As an aside, what was there in the past? Must have been pretty big based on thr lot size.

[neutroniks]

That parking lot is definitely making hand over fist. Also hate how oddly graded it is. Almost like they just put asphalt on a hill haha.

[Authentic_City]

Originally Posted by FactaNV

As an aside, what was there in the past? Must have been pretty big based on thr lot size.

If I'm remembering correctly, not too long ago, someone posted an image from the Fire Insurance map for that area south of Bannatyne (not sure the year). I remember a large warehouse for banana ripening, or something weird like that?

(sorry for the poor image) The 1906 Fire atlas doesn't show much in that area, so I wonder if some of that land was just underutilized (the railway seems to run right through the lots on the south side of Bannatyne?



Edit: the 1917 Fire plan shows the railway gone, and the lots still empty south of Bannatyne.... Sorry again for the poor image. (hoping someone has a better image)

[Wpg_Guy]

The District At Bridgwater - Offices
Location: 345 Centre Street
Developer: Private Pension Partners
Architect: MMP Architects
Status: In development
Documents: Plan Approval–May 26, 2025 |Submitted Plans | Submission
Media: Brand-new Bridgwater office building gets green light from Assiniboia committee
Description: Proposed is a four-storey mixed-use commercial building near the intersection of South Town Road and northbound Kenaston Boulevard. The building will contain office uses on the upper floors, and three (3) commercial units on the ground floor. Included in these ground floor commercial units is a restaurant use with a floor area of approximately 3,445 square feet. This proposed restaurant unit features an accessory patio on the west side of the building. Plans submitted by the applicant identify a future phase of development immediately to the west of the subject property.

[ColdRain&Snow]

I see that the "Winnipeg Developments" overview on the first page of this thread has been updated. It's amazing all the construction going on right now and how many new developments have been proposed/approved. Thanks again for compiling that list Wpg_Guy.