Winnipeg | Downtown Developments & Discussions - Page 40

neutroniks · #**781** Posted **Apr 14, 2026, 3:18 PM**

If they redevelop it properly, plus with the incoming Alexander Docks renovation, plus if someone picks up 55 Duncan, it would help push the homeless issue further away, as they tend to stay away from denser areas. The Bend suffers because they're on the edge of everything, but that cluster of homes near Higgin's don't seem to do as bad as it should be doing. Especially with that gym that's right there too. It's an odd area, but has potential.

I can imagine the Old Eatons building redeveloping into something like Grand Central Market in LA, but I fear it would never be consistently as busy as Grand Central. Does it have good enough bones to develop residential on the top 2 floors, and a market on the ground floor?? I always think of grand central because of the big opening doors.

pegster · #**782** Posted **Apr 14, 2026, 6:16 PM**

I would add Eastern Market in Detroit as an example of what they could do with that amazing building: https://thekraemeredge.com/projects-item/eastern-market/

Unfortunately, I'm not sure if there is enough of a market (no pun intended) for something like that here. The Forks originally tried selling produce and other grocery items, it never really worked, and St. Norbert is well-established as "the" farmer's market in Winnipeg, in addition to the smaller weekly ones. There will be also be a "market" component in the Market Lands development nearby.

Wpg_Guy · #**783** Posted **Apr 14, 2026, 6:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by FactaNV

I always thought itd be a fantastic indoor market hall. Real market, not kitschy 🞵🞵🞵🞵, like produce, deli, cheese, etc.

That would be amazing, it’s the perfect building for something like that. It would take a lot of vision to make it happen though.

bomberjet · #**784** Posted **Apr 14, 2026, 7:47 PM**

How many downtown markets can one City, especially like Winnipeg, handle?

Would sure love to see the old eatons warehouse be re-developed.

We need someone to run for mayor on cleaning up downtown, and that's it. No chief Peguis trails, none of that 🞵🞵🞵🞵. Clean up downtown. Spend all the money there. Do it. But of course that doesn't fly with all the suburbanite bumpkins.

neutroniks · #**785** Posted **Apr 14, 2026, 7:51 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wpg_Guy

That would be amazing, it’s the perfect building for something like that. It would take a lot of vision to make it happen though.

I always pictured basically The Commons 2.0, but with the garage doors on Alexander wide open for people to freely walk through.

neutroniks · #**786** Posted **Apr 14, 2026, 7:54 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bomberjet

How many downtown markets can one City, especially like Winnipeg, handle?

Would sure love to see the old eatons warehouse be re-developed.

We need someone to run for mayor on cleaning up downtown, and that's it. No chief Peguis trails, none of that 🞵🞵🞵🞵. Clean up downtown. Spend all the money there. Do it. But of course that doesn't fly with all the suburbanite bumpkins.

Yup, was talking with my friends about this over beers the other day, and with all the star power thats been coming through here lately (Jon Hamm, Bob Odenkirk, various music acts) we need our downtown to really shine. It might not be big, but it has character and needs to be treated as such.

Wpg_Guy · #**787** Posted **Apr 14, 2026, 8:41 PM**

Winnipeg doesn't have a true year around indoor European style market, like Cleveland West Side Market.

• Video Link

Or St. Lawrence Market in Toronto

Or Jean Talon Market in Montreal

Ottawa Byward Market

East End Market in Olando (more similar toThe Forks)

Sheepish · #**788** Posted **Apr 14, 2026, 8:42 PM**

BomberJet...I am guilty as charged as a suburbanite bumpkin. So, while roadways throughout the city cannot be ignored, we do need a Mayor that is absolutely committed to the belief that downtown must be resurrected, and must be the focus of their attention. A Mayor with vision, and passion, and an ability to communicate honestly about what ails us. But we also need councilors who can balance the immediate needs of their constituents with the greater needs of the city. Without a strong downtown, a city is dead.

Wpg_Guy · #**789** Posted **Apr 14, 2026, 8:46 PM**

For anyone who is unfamiliar this is the building we are referring to, the former Eatons Warehouse, it's massive, a city block long.

bomberjet · #**790** Posted **Apr 14, 2026, 8:50 PM**

Winnipeggers: We've tried nothing, and we're all out of ideas.

Winnipeggers: we dont go downtown because it's scary.

Its both those things. Schrodingers downtown. Nobody goes there because its scary. Its scary because nobody goes there. Chicken and egg.

A year round market in that Eatons building would be awesome! But all the bumpkins would be too scared to go. The forks was supposed to be that and half assed it for a long time.

ColdRain&Snow · #**791** Posted **Apr 14, 2026, 8:54 PM**

^One of my favourite buildings in the city. Hopefully a good use can be found for it.

optimusREIM · #**792** Posted **Apr 14, 2026, 8:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wpg_Guy

Winnipeg doesn't have a true year around indoor European style market, like Cleveland West Side Market.

• Video Link

Or St. Lawrence Market in Toronto

Or Jean Talon Market in Montreal

Ottawa Byward Market

East End Market in Olando (more similar toThe Forks

Any of those are great, didn't know cleveland had those kinds of chops!

The key to the success of a market like that is keeping the cost for vendors low, and attracting a critical mass of those types of vendors in.

St Norbert kind of has the farmers' market concept cornered in town, but the more the merrier!

neutroniks · #**793** Posted **Apr 14, 2026, 8:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wpg_Guy

For anyone who is unfamiliar this is the building we are referring to, the former Eatons Warehouse, it's massive, a city block long.

Soooo much potential. From that one photo you shared, it looks like they could even develop a rooftop patio if the wanted to. Imagine how much great natural light would enter that building with new windows.

dam_well · #**794** Posted **Apr 14, 2026, 9:19 PM**

Charleston City Market in South Carolina is another neat one. It's looooooooooooooooong

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Charle..._ep=EgoyMDI2MDQxMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

Wpg_Guy · #**795** Posted **Apr 14, 2026, 9:51 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sheepish

BomberJet...I am guilty as charged as a suburbanite bumpkin. So, while roadways throughout the city cannot be ignored, we do need a Mayor that is absolutely committed to the belief that downtown must be resurrected, and must be the focus of their attention. A Mayor with vision, and passion, and an ability to communicate honestly about what ails us. But we also need councilors who can balance the immediate needs of their constituents with the greater needs of the city. Without a strong downtown, a city is dead.

This current City Council (which largely overlaps with the Bowman era) is probably the most downtown-supportive in generations. They get the economic importance of Downtown, accounting for roughly 17% of the commercial property tax base and about 14% of the business tax base despite making up less than 1% of the city’s total land area.

They’ve supported reopening Portage and Main to pedestrians, adopted CentrePlan 2050, provided financial support for the redevelopment of Portage Place, The Bay, Market Lands, and Railside, among other downtown residential projects, Alexander Docks study, they are trying a fresh approach to Graham Avenue.

There are very few changes I’d like to see on Council. They mostly get along well and have been quite progressive on downtown issues—Mayor Gillingham has surprised me in a good way on that front. The main downside is they haven’t been aggressive enough on crime, drugs, and encampments. This overly compassionate approach is holding back downtown’s economic growth and vitality. CentrePlan 2050 is full of great ideas it would be better to see the majority of them funded and implemented by 2030.

Wpg_Guy · #**796** Posted **Apr 14, 2026, 9:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by dam_well

Charleston City Market in South Carolina is another neat one. It's looooooooooooooooong

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Charle..._ep=EgoyMDI2MDQxMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

Very cool, thanks for sharing, i hadn't seen that one before.

Sheepish · #**797** Posted **Apr 14, 2026, 9:52 PM**

It could be many things...in combination...
Residential, gallery/studios, market, fieldhouse, restaurants. It is huge...nearly 2 city blocks. But, if it sits empty, it will be a magnet for pigeons and squatters.

Wpg_Guy · #**798** Posted **Apr 14, 2026, 10:15 PM**

Imagine a vibrant culinary market in partnership with Folklorama — one food stall for each cultural pavilion, showcasing the authentic tastes of Winnipeg’s ethnic diversity all in one bustling market.

.

Wpg_Guy · #**799** Posted **Apr 14, 2026, 10:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sheepish

It could be many things...in combination...
Residential, gallery/studios, market, fieldhouse, restaurants. It is huge...nearly 2 city blocks. But, if it sits empty, it will be a magnet for pigeons and squatters.

I would agree, a combination would be the best use of the space.

neutroniks · #**800** Posted **Apr 14, 2026, 10:18 PM**

Folklorama Market has a nice ring to it, and would be a huge go-to spot during Folklorama with all of the tourists.

I can also see The Forks maybe integrating it with the Alexander Docks renovation. Connect the two via the river walk. The Forks North & the Forks South. You could skate from The South end of the Forks & skate to the North Side to the Docks. Or you could take a boat bus / rent a bike / scooter or a canoe/kayak and go from The Forks to Alexander docks. Would be a nice way to connect the two properties.