Winnipeg Retail

[Wpgstvsouth94]

Originally Posted by CoryB

The Winnipeg Outlet collection has gone hard after first to market retailers so I would not cross Uniqlo off the list. Zara is another possibility for the space. As you already mentioned Columbia is another outlet staple that is currently not in Winnipeg.

I would also not count out oddball possibilities like mall landlords banding together to bring Primark to Canada, working with Bestseller to create a medium footprint store including the Topshop brand, or creating some new ghost retailer to fill those spaces as they have done similar the the USA. Basically taking over a dead brands IP and run it as a "going concern" to more of less fill otherwise empty spaces.

Another possibility might be creating a new mid mall entrance out of the former Saks space and otherwise splitting up the remaining space.

I’ve also been mentioning to the mall for the past number of years for a cheesecake factory location in the outlet mall!

[Glenn99]

Originally Posted by Wpgstvsouth94

I’ve also been mentioning to the mall for the past number of years for a cheesecake factory location in the outlet mall!

Oh, to dream. :-) Was at the one in Yorkdale this summer and it was insanely busy. So, was the whole mall. Felt like Christmas and it was August.

[Biff]

Simons is the only possibility for "saving" the Polo Park Bay building. But even at that, I don't believe they would take all of the Bay's space.

I could see Simons taking space from the mall corridor (or about 60% of the Bay) to the St James side, both storeys. I would then think that the mall would carve up the back half of The Bay (parkade side) into smaller spaces over 2 levels, creating a new mall entrance on the northern edge.

Just my two cents though.

[pspeid]

Originally Posted by Biff

Simons is the only possibility for "saving" the Polo Park Bay building. But even at that, I don't believe they would take all of the Bay's space.

I could see Simons taking space from the mall corridor (or about 60% of the Bay) to the St James side, both storeys. I would then think that the mall would carve up the back half of The Bay (parkade side) into smaller spaces over 2 levels, creating a new mall entrance on the northern edge.

Just my two cents though.

I wonder how many "stand alone" Bay stores still existed in other cities before this happened? I assume it's probably easier (though not "easy") to repurpose mall space than a single building. In this respect Winnipeg certainly lucked out. Our Bay building is already being re-purposed, while others are just beginning that journey. It'll be interested to see what other cities come up with.

[Ozabald]

Originally Posted by pspeid

I wonder how many "stand alone" Bay stores still existed in other cities before this happened? I assume it's probably easier (though not "easy") to repurpose mall space than a single building. In this respect Winnipeg certainly lucked out. Our Bay building is already being re-purposed, while others are just beginning that journey. It'll be interested to see what other cities come up with.

An article about the standalone Bay stores.
https://storeys.com/hudson-bay-build...ectural-icons/

Victoria has already repurposed its Bay store into The Hudson; a building of luxury condos and lofts with ground level retail.

[WinCitySparky]

I’m sure it’ll get carved up like Sears

[WinCitySparky]

Nah it was all pie-in-the-sky corporate stock pump nonsense, doubt we’ll even see half of those parking lots built out in the next 30 years. Someone here said they were working on the first 10 or so storey tower but I am guessing it’ll all move as fast as Railside which was announced like 15 years ago or something.

[Mr Tall Forehead]

Originally Posted by WinCitySparky

Nah it was all pie-in-the-sky corporate stock pump nonsense, doubt we’ll even see half of those parking lots built out in the next 30 years. Someone here said they were working on the first 10 or so storey tower but I am guessing it’ll all move as fast as Railside which was announced like 15 years ago or something.

Yep. My guess is that maybe 5-7 years from now we'll see a building or two similar to the Pre Con apartments in front of the Walmart on Taylor developed, but nothing even remotely close to the renders showing dozens of mid-rise buildings.

[pegcity]

Originally Posted by Mr Tall Forehead

Yep. My guess is that maybe 5-7 years from now we'll see a building or two similar to the Pre Con apartments in front of the Walmart on Taylor developed, but nothing even remotely close to the renders showing dozens of mid-rise buildings.

I agree! Partnering with Shindico, this is what you’re going to get, desolate, empty fields, no movement for years and years. Walmart usually draws other retail and restaurants to the same area, it took Shindico years just to land a Scotia bank and a Firehouse subs, yikes.

[bomberjet]

As I'm still stuck in this loop of needing to sell my house and get something else for a couple reasons. I'm constantly considering (to be open minded) whether I would ever live in a mall parking lot. And I shudder even worse then living somewhere like Niverville.

Ultimately it comes down to me being in the City and close ish to downtown. But I just couldn't bear living at the mall above a parking lot. Just couldn't do it.

The renderings look nice and it would be awesome to have one of these hip restaurant zones with bars and such. I just don't see it happening as you folks have mentioned. Especially when the main vehicle access is put right down the centre. I see myself having a much better time, and would probably consider living later in life, at Railside.

[WPG84]

Originally Posted by bomberjet

As I'm still stuck in this loop of needing to sell my house and get something else for a couple reasons. I'm constantly considering (to be open minded) whether I would ever live in a mall parking lot. And I shudder even worse then living somewhere like Niverville.

Ultimately it comes down to me being in the City and close ish to downtown. But I just couldn't bear living at the mall above a parking lot. Just couldn't do it.

The renderings look nice and it would be awesome to have one of these hip restaurant zones with bars and such. I just don't see it happening as you folks have mentioned. Especially when the main vehicle access is put right down the centre. I see myself having a much better time, and would probably consider living later in life, at Railside.

My wife and I lived across from the mall at Polo Park Towers for two years and loved it. The only downside was the rent increases. Having Safeway right behind us and the transit station by the mall meant we didn’t really need a car. If I were CF, I’d start building this out sooner before similar projects like U of M and Railside fill up.

[wags_in_the_peg]

Originally Posted by bomberjet

As I'm still stuck in this loop of needing to sell my house and get something else for a couple reasons. I'm constantly considering (to be open minded) whether I would ever live in a mall parking lot. And I shudder even worse then living somewhere like Niverville.

Ultimately it comes down to me being in the City and close ish to downtown. But I just couldn't bear living at the mall above a parking lot. Just couldn't do it.

The renderings look nice and it would be awesome to have one of these hip restaurant zones with bars and such. I just don't see it happening as you folks have mentioned. Especially when the main vehicle access is put right down the centre. I see myself having a much better time, and would probably consider living later in life, at Railside.

depends where u are in life, personally i'm a 2-4 years a way from being an empty nester and probably 10 yrs away from being retired. Live in Norwood Flats and work downtown. my current commute is 10 min drive or 25 min walk. I've spent a good chunk of my weekends and a few weekday evening driving to Niverville (kid lives & plays hockey there) and I can tell you, it's really attractive to me to live there as I age. The community is wonderfully friendly, they have brand new schools, recreation and housing. yeah there no "nightlife" but at my age I'm not looking for that. I'm looking for fewer sirens & overall noise. A short 35 minute drive to City for some things. I'm also a cottage owner so i do get peace & quite out there. So maybe a nice Railside or StB condo would be a possibility too. theres a lot to be said about being part of a "community" it's good for mental health as we age, that is what I'm looking for

[neutroniks]

Originally Posted by wags_in_the_peg

depends where u are in life, personally i'm a 2-4 years a way from being an empty nester and probably 10 yrs away from being retired. Live in Norwood Flats and work downtown. my current commute is 10 min drive or 25 min walk. I've spent a good chunk of my weekends and a few weekday evening driving to Niverville (kid lives & plays hockey there) and I can tell you, it's really attractive to me to live there as I age. The community is wonderfully friendly, they have brand new schools, recreation and housing. yeah there no "nightlife" but at my age I'm not looking for that. I'm looking for fewer sirens & overall noise. A short 35 minute drive to City for some things. I'm also a cottage owner so i do get peace & quite out there. So maybe a nice Railside or StB condo would be a possibility too. theres a lot to be said about being part of a "community" it's good for mental health as we age, that is what I'm looking for

Vue Tache has got really nice condos. All concrete construction too. Good view of the city with a park across of it. I believe the last couple of hold outs on North Tache have sold and there will likely be river side condos being put up there eventually.

[wags_in_the_peg]

Originally Posted by neutroniks

Vue Tache has got really nice condos. All concrete construction too. Good view of the city with a park across of it. I believe the last couple of hold outs on North Tache have sold and there will likely be river side condos being put up there eventually.

yes we know someone in Vue Tache, that is a nice building, Streetside will be building another building in a few years nearby.

[bomberjet]

I'm a bit earlier in life than you. Young kids with another coming, but I'm also going to have a 4 in front of my age this year. I mention Niverville because of all that you noted. It is attractive. The housing is cheaper. But I can't get over the commute to downtown for work everyday. I'm supposed to be in the office "minimum 5 days a week". I lived in a bedroom community for 5 or 6 years. My mom still lives there. And the driving really got to me.

I like the urban lifestyle. But don't really want to be living at the mall personally. To each their own.

[drew]

Originally Posted by bomberjet

I'm a bit earlier in life than you. Young kids with another coming, but I'm also going to have a 4 in front of my age this year. I mention Niverville because of all that you noted. It is attractive. The housing is cheaper. But I can't get over the commute to downtown for work everyday. I'm supposed to be in the office "minimum 5 days a week". I lived in a bedroom community for 5 or 6 years. My mom still lives there. And the driving really got to me.

I like the urban lifestyle. But don't really want to be living at the mall personally. To each their own.

I truly regret moving when we were in our mid 30's from our "starter" home.

If I can give you any advice - if it is at all possible to make do where you are, or renovate to improve your situation - do it.

You waste SOOOO much money on a move that you could instead dump into your current house. Think about the realtor fees (even if you don't use one), moving fees, lawyers, etc. etc. It really adds up. And it's all throw away money.

We put ourselves back probably a decade in terms of paying off mortgages with our move to a bigger house. And if I had to do it all over again, I would have stayed put.

[bomberjet]

Originally Posted by drew

I truly regret moving when we were in our mid 30's from our "starter" home.

If I can give you any advice - if it is at all possible to make do where you are, or renovate to improve your situation - do it.

You waste SOOOO much money on a move that you could instead dump into your current house. Think about the realtor fees (even if you don't use one), moving fees, lawyers, etc. etc. It really adds up. And it's all throw away money.

We put ourselves back probably a decade in terms of paying off mortgages with our move to a bigger house. And if I had to do it all over again, I would have stayed put.

Derailing this thread a bit. We need to move. I've thought long and hard about what we could do to this house to suit our needs and it would basically be rebuilding the entire main floor (and it's only a bungalow) lmao.. and we already reno'd the kitchen and bathroom. We'll get our equity and find a new place. Paying a mortgage until retirement.

[Winnipegger]

Originally Posted by bomberjet

I'm a bit earlier in life than you. Young kids with another coming, but I'm also going to have a 4 in front of my age this year. I mention Niverville because of all that you noted. It is attractive. The housing is cheaper. But I can't get over the commute to downtown for work everyday. I'm supposed to be in the office "minimum 5 days a week". I lived in a bedroom community for 5 or 6 years. My mom still lives there. And the driving really got to me.

I like the urban lifestyle. But don't really want to be living at the mall personally. To each their own.

If suburban neighborhoods are your style, there are plenty of sprawling neighborhoods in south-west Winnipeg that gives you close access to the park-and-ride lots on the BLUE rapid transit line. A five minute drive to a park and ride, then a 15 minute bus ride downtown on a line that is actually reliable and frequent beats paying $200/month for parking, especially considering the commute time via the BLUE line is roughly equal to (or sometimes less than) driving and parking.

[bomberjet]

Originally Posted by Winnipegger

If suburban neighborhoods are your style, there are plenty of sprawling neighborhoods in south-west Winnipeg that gives you close access to the park-and-ride lots on the BLUE rapid transit line. A five minute drive to a park and ride, then a 15 minute bus ride downtown on a line that is actually reliable and frequent beats paying $200/month for parking, especially considering the commute time via the BLUE line is roughly equal to (or sometimes less than) driving and parking.

No, not really. I'm currently in EK. And it's not super urban, but it's also not perimeter suburb type. What I want I don't think exists unless you have a lot of money. Single storey, 4 beds on main floor, near downtown. Doesn't have to be mint, but I dont want in run down either. That's what leads me to look at condos or other not detached places. But there's just nothing. And it needs to be as accessible as possible for my sons walker. Also why I don't want far flung, the accessible factor. And we need French schooling nearby. Not so easy even though all divisions have french programs.

[Authentic_City]

I'm not sure living at the mall per se would be for me either - even though I'm in a double-income-no-kids situation. But, I can see the benefits: easy access to transit and lots of nearby services in a climate controlled environment. When I lived in Vancouver, Metrotown was a great place to go for grocery shopping, entertainment and shopping and it was right by a Skytrain station with easy access to the downtown. I could definitely see the appeal of living there. But I'd prefer something like Railside or St Boniface for condo/apartment living.

I also agree that the splashy Polo Park renders are pie-in-the-sky and very unlikely, but I also think the mall can't survive on retail alone. I think they will have to transition to mixed use at some point. I would just dial back the expectations for the residential component.