Winnipeg Construction - Page 355

roccerfeller · #**7081** Posted **Feb 4, 2013, 6:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biff

The Fortress proposal is still in a very Preliminary Design stage. It is proposed as a 32 storey tower on a 4 storey podium and a secondary tower of undetermined height pending the success of the first tower. I would imagine that marketing will start this summer.

condos? appts? mixed use?

Biff · #**7082** Posted **Feb 4, 2013, 7:49 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by roccerfeller

condos? appts? mixed use?

Podium has retail and office condominiums and the tower about 200 to 300 condominium apartments.

Biff · #**7083** Posted **Feb 4, 2013, 8:04 PM**

I can't get the exact heights for Alt and Glasshouse yet but i have estimated Alt at approximately 257 ft and Glasshouse would be similar.

They will likely be similar or slightly shorter in height compared to the Radisson on Portage. I don't think that is too bad at all and will help develop a greater sense of a Portage Ave canyon effect.

trueviking · #**7084** Posted **Feb 4, 2013, 8:10 PM**

speaking of the canyon effect.....awesome photo

http://archrecord.construction.com/proje...ding-Renovation-5468796-Architecture.asp

Biff · #**7085** Posted **Feb 4, 2013, 8:39 PM**

I love the life the Avenue Building brought to Portage. That is why i think i am most hopeful that the Glasshouse project succeeds. It would be icing on the cake to see the Portage Place pads utilized and something built up where the Dollarama building is.

Shinook · #**7086** Posted **Feb 4, 2013, 8:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biff

I love the life the Avenue Building brought to Portage. That is why i think i am most hopeful that the Glasshouse project succeeds. It would be icing on the cake to see the Portage Place pads utilized and something built up where the Dollarama building is.

And hopefully these catalysts will help push dollarama (welfare-ish store) out of Winnipeg's premier streetscape and help to attract something more desirable in terms of retail.

CoryB · #**7087** Posted **Feb 4, 2013, 9:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shinook

And hopefully these catalysts will help push dollarama (welfare-ish store) out of Winnipeg's premier streetscape and help to attract something more desirable in terms of retail.

I still recall when Le Chateau announced they were opening a store on that very site how it was viewed as a hugely positive thing.

It is for the same reason that I really hope the rumor of a grocery store opening on Portage within one block of "Portage and Main" and two blocks of MTS Centre is incorrect. It would be nice to see something with a higher profile move in.

Time will tell I guess. My co-workers seemed thrilled with the prospect while I am thinking it will be a high cost/low volume store hoping to capitalize on its location rather than being competive of cost and value.

Bluenote · #**7088** Posted **Feb 4, 2013, 11:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoryB

I still recall when Le Chateau announced they were opening a store on that very site how it was viewed as a hugely positive thing.

It is for the same reason that I really hope the rumor of a grocery store opening on Portage within one block of "Portage and Main" and two blocks of MTS Centre is incorrect. It would be nice to see something with a higher profile move in.

Time will tell I guess. My co-workers seemed thrilled with the prospect while I am thinking it will be a high cost/low volume store hoping to capitalize on its location rather than being competive of cost and value.

Anything is better the a Dollar store. Heck you could open a soup kitchen and it would look better. The city should really have bylaws on Dollar stores, I am not against having them, but they need to not look so dang trashy. All of Portage should have a street View plan because no matter how much you dress up the sidewalk, or street lights, that ugly store behind them will kill it. And it is sad as I am sure that Dollar store building if the facade was brought back to what it used to be, it would be a nice addition to the street.

As for those Tower Heights-

What is the height of the Hydro Tower, minus the little cooling tower? And speaking of that little stick, is there any reason Hydro has never added any lights to it. I think some LED's ( power smart ) would look great it they lit it up at night.

The Rad isn't that small of a tower also, so if it will be at par with it, that is a nice size and I think will give a nice look and feel to the block. And having the Glass house side stepped like the plan is, would be great, as you would see the ALT from 3 sides for the most part. Yet still have the Glass House just a few meters behind it and still adding to the skyline.

bomberjet · #**7089** Posted **Feb 5, 2013, 12:59 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluenote

What is the height of the Hydro Tower, minus the little cooling tower? And speaking of that little stick, is there any reason Hydro has never added any lights to it. I think some LED's ( power smart ) would look great it they lit it up at night.
.

You know, I thought the Hydro "Chimney" would look so cool. Yet all it consists of is foggy glass, steel, and a big plate. No lights or anything.

Same goes for the CMHR. Hopefully it looks better when it's all complete. The lights were dim and didn't really make it to the top of the spire. Get's blocked by all the steel.

h0twired · #**7090** Posted **Feb 5, 2013, 1:39 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bomberjet

You know, I thought the Hydro "Chimney" would look so cool. Yet all it consists of is foggy glass, steel, and a big plate. No lights or anything.

Lighting would probably go against their LEED status.

At 2am the Hydro Building is completely dark. Its almost eerie.

CoryB · #**7091** Posted **Feb 5, 2013, 2:09 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluenote

Anything is better the a Dollar store.

The block across that street offers two challenges to that think with a payday loan store and the dead store front that was the Northstar theater in the basement of what is now the Radison. There are also other things that would be worse than a dollar store.

Speaking of those theaters, does anyone know what happened to that basement space?

1ajs · #**7092** Posted **Feb 5, 2013, 2:45 AM**

Its still there collecting dust

vid · #**7093** Posted **Feb 5, 2013, 2:50 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by h0twired

Lighting would probably go against their LEED status.

I don't think LED lighting would hurt its LEED status at all, actually. They probably just didn't want to have to spend money on it.

good_dude · #**7094** Posted **Feb 5, 2013, 2:55 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluenote

Heck you could open a soup kitchen and it would look better. The city should really have bylaws on Dollar stores, I am not against having them, but they need to not look so dang trashy. All of Portage should have a street View plan because no matter how much you dress up the sidewalk, or street lights, that ugly store behind them will kill it. And it is sad as I am sure that Dollar store building if the facade was brought back to what it used to be, it would be a nice addition to the street.

This is true IMO. It's fine (and good) to have stores catering to low income groups downtown. Design is the problem. Planters, ornate lamp posts, and giant coloured marbles look ridiculous against the dingy, cheap street walls of Portage.

Bdog · #**7095** Posted **Feb 5, 2013, 2:56 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shinook

And hopefully these catalysts will help push dollarama (welfare-ish store) out of Winnipeg's premier streetscape and help to attract something more desirable in terms of retail.

While it would be great to have an H & M, Forever 21, and Sobey's Urban Fresh all fronting Portage Avenue, I don't quite understand the hate for Dollar Stores on the strip. The effect that you want (heavy pedestrian traffic) is the same. Even major streets in cities like Toronto have plenty of dollar store type shops (off the top of my head, I can think of a Dollarama on both Bloor and Yonge in Downtown Toronto, and those are two classic examples of the mixed-use, pedestrian friendly streets that we want for our city)...

Halverso_99 · #**7096** Posted **Feb 5, 2013, 3:12 AM**

I think the hydro tower would look 100x better if it actually lit up at night other than the dim red clearance lights.

morty · #**7097** Posted **Feb 5, 2013, 3:18 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1ajs

Its still there collecting dust

Have you been inside it recently? I'd love to see some pictures.

Chadillaccc · #**7098** Posted **Feb 5, 2013, 5:42 AM**

That photo is lovely!

1ajs · #**7099** Posted **Feb 5, 2013, 6:05 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by morty

Have you been inside it recently? I'd love to see some pictures.

just seen other peoples photos its full of props and junk collecting dust

theres a couple other hiden theaters downtown btw that are forgoten about..

CoryB · #**7100** Posted **Feb 5, 2013, 2:57 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1ajs

theres a couple other hidden theaters downtown btw that are forgoten about..

You have me curious where these other theaters are. Pretty sure I could identify where ever downtown movie theater operated in the last thirty years and I can only think of the hidden North Star ones.

Speaking of the North Star space, from what I recall it was a fairly large space with abnormally long auditoriums. I am more than a little surprised that CanadInns (currently operator of the Radison) has not taken on the project to renovate it into additional meeting/conference space.