Winnipeg | Downtown | True North Square | U/C

[Biff]

Tons of workers on site today.

[Winnipeg Grump]

Next bump.
Slowly working their way up.

[Biff]

All comments about the glacial pace of this project aside, that is a pretty large podium.

I should have taken a picture last week. There were way more contractors on site than this photo displays.

[Sheepish]

Thanks for sharing these. Photos are always appreciated, and it is great to see progress being made. Seems in keeping with Jim Ludlow's assessment that 'it is under development and coming'.

[trueviking]

I keep seeing on social media all these 50 storey hotels being proposed for calgary...we struggle to get one ten storey hotel built.

[WinCitySparky]

That’ll change eventually. Downtown needs to become attractive to capital first. It’s happening. Just some more time. The uncertainty of Alberta separatism and the comparative stability of Manitoba might help move the needle a bit more quickly as residents and some businesses look elsewhere.

[Spocket]

Originally Posted by WinCitySparky

That’ll change eventually. Downtown needs to become attractive to capital first. It’s happening. Just some more time. The uncertainty of Alberta separatism and the comparative stability of Manitoba might help move the needle a bit more quickly as residents and some businesses look elsewhere.

Unless Alberta votes to leave, which it absolutely won't, don't hold your breath on that.

[Biff]

Originally Posted by trueviking

I keep seeing on social media all these 50 storey hotels being proposed for Calgary...we struggle to get one ten storey hotel built.

What I have trouble understanding is how no developer over the years has ever planned a new hotel/multi-family building here in Winnipeg. They are so prevalent elsewhere in the world.

It is pretty impressive that there have been no new hotel developments downtown of any significance here at all to be honest.

I guess the Hyatt Centric sort of counts, but I am talking about the majors - Marriott, Hilton, Sheraton, Crowne Plaza, Westin etc.

[ColdRain&Snow]

Originally Posted by Biff

What I have trouble understanding is how no developer over the years has ever planned a new hotel/multi-family building here in Winnipeg. They are so prevalent elsewhere in the world.

It is pretty impressive that there have been no new hotel developments downtown of any significance here at all to be honest.

I guess the Hyatt Centric sort of counts, but I am talking about the majors - Marriott, Hilton, Sheraton, Crowne Plaza, Westin etc.

There's the new Hyatt Centric on Broadway, the new Sutton Place hotel (once it's finally finished), the Hampton Inn had 2 stories added to it, and the Fairmont is undergoing a major renovation. So I wouldn't say that nothing is happening. The reality is that Winnipeg doesn't get a lot of tourists. Calgary gets tons of tourists on their way to Banff/the Rockies.

[Biff]

I get that, but the last large scale hotels built in Winnipeg were the Fairmont (Winnipeg Inn - 1970), Delta (1971), Radisson (North Star Hotel - 1969), Fort Garry (1913) and maybe the Sheraton - now Residences on York Apartments (1973)

I understand that this is "Winnipeg" and we don't get tons of tourists, but for a city of basically one million, you would think there would be at least a couple significant hotel builds in the last 50 years.

[primetimey]

Zero tourism and low amount of National/Global offices means there is a low demand for hotels. Sure 1 million locals, why do they need hotels?

[zalf]

The surprising one is U of M not having attracted a hotel.

[bomberjet]

My wife's been listening to a lot of podcasts, e-books and such lately. On the loudspeaker haha and she was listening to something about tourism in Canada. And where this particular podcaster has and hasn't been. Winnipeg hasn't cracked his list because of "the cold and mosquitos". The old stereotypes never die. Have mosquitos been a problem as of late? Really I don't have any problem with mosquitos for years and years now.

[Unbending]

Originally Posted by Biff

I get that, but the last large scale hotels built in Winnipeg were the Fairmont (Winnipeg Inn - 1970), Delta (1971), Radisson (North Star Hotel - 1969), Fort Garry (1913) and maybe the Sheraton - now Residences on York Apartments (1973)

I understand that this is "Winnipeg" and we don't get tons of tourists, but for a city of basically one million, you would think there would be at least a couple significant hotel builds in the last 50 years.

What about the Alt Hotel?

[bomberjet]

Any news re: the Hilton on Donald at York? Last I heard it was maybe 5 years out still.

[jim_bred]

Hilton hotel at the outlet mall recently added an addition.

[BAKGUY]

Originally Posted by bomberjet

Any news re: the Hilton on Donald at York? Last I heard it was maybe 5 years out still.

The current owner of The Hampton by Hilton said "Hilton Garden" was quite likely for 2028-29 as in starting the build so 5 years till opening is likely correct.

[BAKGUY]

Originally Posted by Biff

I get that, but the last large scale hotels built in Winnipeg were the Fairmont (Winnipeg Inn - 1970), Delta (1971), Radisson (North Star Hotel - 1969), Fort Garry (1913) and maybe the Sheraton - now Residences on York Apartments (1973)

I understand that this is "Winnipeg" and we don't get tons of tourists, but for a city of basically one million, you would think there would be at least a couple significant hotel builds in the last 50 years.

The current Delta (Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza) was opened in Spring 1974.
The Sheraton opened in 1985 and closed in 2005.
Not as large or grand, but then there were these hotels....
Holiday Inn Suites (Relax/Travelodge) 1988.
The Inn @ The Forks opened 2006.
There was The Humphry.Inn (Hampton)..2002-03
Tha Alt opened in 2015

And really nothing grand at all in several decades.
There was a proposal for both a W Hotel and a Meridien Hotel for 416 main St and neither ever materialized.

Hyatt Centric on Broadway opens in a few months. 2026
Hopefully 416 Main St can still become a grand hotel someday..
Also Hoping for Hilton Garden to open on Donald & York. Current owner of expanded Hampton Downtown was thinking perhaps starting 2028?
Sutton Place might complete building & open sometime....maybe 2028?
That would help a fair bit.

[cllew]

Originally Posted by primetimey

Zero tourism and low amount of National/Global offices means there is a low demand for hotels. Sure 1 million locals, why do they need hotels?

I thought the expanded Winnipeg Convention Center was going to draw customers to fill all the available hotel rooms on a regular basis and tourists were going to just fill in the off weeks.

[WayneShuster]

Originally Posted by primetimey

Zero tourism and low amount of National/Global offices means there is a low demand for hotels. Sure 1 million locals, why do they need hotels?

Zero tourism? Surely you jest.