Winnipeg Construction

[The Jabroni]

That tower is slowly growing on me. Although I prefer a tower with more girth, I think the long and thin look will nice.

[h0twired]

Originally Posted by CoryB

Those both seem likely. H&M looks for around 20,000 sq ft, Abercrombie looks for spots starting at 6,000 and going up. I think Zara will be on the target list too with a store around 20,000.

London Drugs would be a good fit for the area but doesn't seem to fit with the push to move the mall proper up-market. My guess would be that if London Drugs opens in the area the stadium redeveopment is the most likely site. I also wonder that in addition to the rumored Marshalls for the old arena site we might see a Homesense open around Polo Park.

There is also the rumor going back to Asper's The Elms development that Simon's is really interested in the Winnipeg market. I am wondering if they might still be wanting to be in the Polo area or if they have refocused on Seasons of Tuxedo.

I would be thinking even bigger than that.

I personally would like to see any or all of the following.

- Crate and Barrel
- Williams-Sonoma
- Pottery Barn
- Restoration Hardware

Home decor stores would love the Zellers location based on the fact that it has its own warehouse/storage space and loading bay.

[CoryB]

Originally Posted by h0twired

I would be thinking even bigger than that.

I personally would like to see any or all of the following.

- Crate and Barrel
- Williams-Sonoma
- Pottery Barn
- Restoration Hardware

Home decor stores would love the Zellers location based on the fact that it has its own warehouse/storage space and loading bay.

The problem is landing space in Polo Park mall proper requires two sides to agree to rent the space. From the other recent changes to the mall it would seem they are focusing on mall based merchants which are new to the Winnipeg market/exclusive to the mall with the only recent exception being Bath and Body Works. While those retailers would all be good additions to Winnipeg, as the developer of the arena and stadium sites, Cadallic Fairview seems to have more incentive to keep these out of the mall than to be actively persuing them to take up mall space.

I really think that unless a new, high-end and big footprint retailer wants the Zellers space it will be split into multiple mid to small size units. The reason for this is it would give the mall an opportunity to add a good amount of space without building the talked about addition. As the lease holder on the other properties they could potentinal land all four of the retailers you listed, plus the ones I talked about just outside of the mall proper.

[h0twired]

Originally Posted by CoryB

The problem is landing space in Polo Park mall proper requires two sides to agree to rent the space. From the other recent changes to the mall it would seem they are focusing on mall based merchants which are new to the Winnipeg market/exclusive to the mall with the only recent exception being Bath and Body Works. While those retailers would all be good additions to Winnipeg, as the developer of the arena and stadium sites, Cadallic Fairview seems to have more incentive to keep these out of the mall than to be actively persuing them to take up mall space.

I really think that unless a new, high-end and big footprint retailer wants the Zellers space it will be split into multiple mid to small size units. The reason for this is it would give the mall an opportunity to add a good amount of space without building the talked about addition. As the lease holder on the other properties they could potentinal land all four of the retailers you listed, plus the ones I talked about just outside of the mall proper.

The Zellers space is over 97,000 sq ft.

It could easily house all 4 of the stores (who tend to reside in larger indoor malls) I listed and still have ~40,000 sq ft left.

[roccerfeller]

Originally Posted by drew

I believe the City doesn't like it because it is proposed for an area of Osborne village that has a 5 or 6 storey height restriction. If if understand it correctly, this restriction is both in the City bylaws and the Osborne Village Neighborhood Plan that supersedes the City.

They would need a variance (obviously) and it would be a hard sell given the fact it is proposed to sit right beside single family houses.

The plan is for 2 or 3 levels of parking above grade, and the "pencil" tower on top.

Ah that 🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵 to hear. Those are some serious hurdles to pass.

So its likely not going to go through, or, they would have to relocate it elsewhere if they were bent on building it.

Hopefully the developers are willing to explore other areas. Though, shouldn't they have checked it with both city bylaws and neighbourhood regulations before they decided to spend the time and energy into proposing something as ambitious as this?

[drew]

^ proposals are the easy part!

I think it morphed into this design because of the parking requirements on a small lot, unit size and price point to pay for said parking. I guess going high made the most sense?

[Lenin]

This is my first time learning of the pencil tower in the Village as well. I'm not entirely sure how feasible the project is, but that area of the city does remain a popular destination. Of course in my fantasy most proposals like this would succeed in our city.

Hopefully if this proposal is taken seriously and moves on to the next stage the developers can find a way to demonstrate to area residents that the tower's slim build would serve to reduce the shadow factor, as well as not be too obstructive of views, or too imposing for detached homes in the area.

[trueviking]

I spoke to the architect of that tower. He didn't think it was all that likely. But it isn't dead.

[roccerfeller]

Originally Posted by drew

^ proposals are the easy part!

I think it morphed into this design because of the parking requirements on a small lot, unit size and price point to pay for said parking. I guess going high made the most sense?

I do applaud the developers for taking a chance. I wonder how many proposals you guys behind the scenes have seen in the last few years not go through that were akin to this and reminiscent of some ambitious (for Winnipeg) towers

though have there been any recent developments to pass with an accepted variance?

Originally Posted by Lenin

This is my first time learning of the pencil tower in the Village as well. I'm not entirely sure how feasible the project is, but that area of the city does remain a popular destination. Of course in my fantasy most proposals like this would succeed in our city.

Hopefully if this proposal is taken seriously and moves on to the next stage the developers can find a way to demonstrate to area residents that the tower's slim build would serve to reduce the shadow factor, as well as not be too obstructive of views, or too imposing for detached homes in the area.

That sounds like a reasonable argument on their side to make, and is probably one of the main reasons there is a height restriction in the area. However, the chance of it passing the bylaws are much less likely, so its safe to say this one probably won't make it out. Would be nice though. That tower would be a big deal in that area, and few ways are better to add density than build a tower lol.

Originally Posted by trueviking

I spoke to the architect of that tower. He didn't think it was all that likely. But it isn't dead.

Good to hear. Though him not believing its likely is potentially telling. Hopefully they can somehow make a go of it. If the developers really want to build this tower, they can always look at alternate locations (there are some other areas downtown this would look nice in) or explore their options with finding something that works with the city (shorten it? sell the land elsewhere? parking lot? )

I think its going to be hard to pass the city bylaws; more so the neighbourhood plan, given the potential ramifications (if they let this pass, then they might have to question the entire plan, rewrite it or whatever, and ultimately it might be a juxtaposing to the original vision since the plan has these restrictions in the first place)

[vid]

In Thunder Bay, developers approach these kinds of developments with a mentality of "This is what we want to build, how much do we need to change the city by-law to get it approved?" Since most of our developers are actually Winnipeg developers, I am going to assume that is their approach there as well?

[armorand93]

Originally Posted by The Jabroni

That tower is slowly growing on me. Although I prefer a tower with more girth, I think the long and thin look will nice.

Thats what she said.

[good_dude]

Originally Posted by drew

I believe the City doesn't like it because it is proposed for an area of Osborne village that has a 5 or 6 storey height restriction. If if understand it correctly, this restriction is both in the City bylaws and the Osborne Village Neighborhood Plan that supersedes the City.

They would need a variance (obviously) and it would be a hard sell given the fact it is proposed to sit right beside single family houses.

The plan is for 2 or 3 levels of parking above grade, and the "pencil" tower on top.

Why can't people propose these things NOT next to single family houses? I like it but not in that spot.

[Enjoy03]

Originally Posted by CoryB

Those both seem likely. H&M looks for around 20,000 sq ft, Abercrombie looks for spots starting at 6,000 and going up. I think Zara will be on the target list too with a store around 20,000.

I don't really care for Abercrombie but a Zara and H&M would be awesome!

[Biff]

Originally Posted by Enjoy03

I don't really care for Abercrombie but a Zara and H&M would be awesome!

Abercrombie is for midgets. A few years back I saw a nice shirt on one of their displays in Minneapolis so I went in to try it on. I could barely get into a XXL. It was skin tight. I am normaly a L or XL. Their clothes are not for regular sized people.

[The Jabroni]

Originally Posted by armorand93

Thats what she said.

Glad you caught that!

[Enjoy03]

Anyone know whats going on at Whittier Park? Theres a fenced area with Jeds construction signs close to the entrance on St-Joseph

[bomberguy]

Originally Posted by Enjoy03

I don't really care for Abercrombie but a Zara and H&M would be awesome!

Zara please! I'm dying for more blazers.

[Biff]

Originally Posted by Enjoy03

Anyone know whats going on at Whittier Park? Theres a fenced area with Jeds construction signs close to the entrance on St-Joseph

I think they are upgrading the washroom facilities.



........regarding the pencil tower, I think it is supposed to have 31 units. If you are half decent at math, that works out to one unit per floor.

[roccerfeller]

Originally Posted by Biff

........regarding the pencil tower, I think it is supposed to have 31 units. If you are half decent at math, that works out to one unit per floor.

one unit per floor???!


whoa!!

[vid]

Wouldn't be the first tower in Winnipeg to have one unit per floor, though.