Winnipeg Construction

[1ajs]

kool

Fortress Real Developments
COO @vincepetrozza & SVP @benmyers29 are in #Winnipeg for a series of key meetings on a forthcoming downtown development project #NewMarkets
https://twitter.com/FortressRDI?utm_sour...rtressRDI&utm_content=319763782291296256

[viperred88]

Originally Posted by Biff

.......nothing has changed with the parkade other than it's configuration. It will still have street level commercial units. It will still be connected to the Alt Hotel/Stantec complex by skywalk. It will still be connected to the condo tower. The only thing that has changed is instead of the condo tower sitting on top of the 5th floor of the parkade, it will be it's own building right to ground level.

couldn't they build it in such away so they could add a smaller condo tower on top of the parkade at a latter date.

[Biff]

Originally Posted by viperred88

couldn't they build it in such away so they could add a smaller condo tower on top of the parkade at a latter date.

You would have to pre-design the parkade to accommodate this and over build the foundation and structure underneath the possible tower. This all adds cost and (this is just my speculation) i think they have done their research that suggests only the number of units they are proposing will work there (approx 195).

Don't forget the Stevenson Group/Longboat big picture. They are developing the CityPlace lot one block away, with the potential for residential and 3 blocks over, they are developing the lot on the corner of Donald and St Mary with it is believed residential. I don't think they want to over-saturate their own projects.

[viperred88]

Originally Posted by Biff

You would have to pre-design the parkade to accommodate this and over build the foundation and structure underneath the possible tower. This all adds cost and (this is just my speculation) i think they have done their research that suggests only the number of units they are proposing will work there (approx 195).

Don't forget the Stevenson Group/Longboat big picture. They are developing the CityPlace lot one block away, with the potential for residential and 3 blocks over, they are developing the lot on the corner of Donald and St Mary with it is believed residential. I don't think they want to over-saturate their own projects.

I understand the underlying cost with beefing up the foundations of the parkade if a tower were built. I thought a skinny tall or smaller low rise could work for future projects. And it would not require too much concrete for a foundation to be built if a smaller tower were built overtop. It wouldn't be too much residential added to that project being there is perhaps more residential to be proposed for the SHED district.

[Biff]

Originally Posted by viperred88

I understand the underlying cost with beefing up the foundations of the parkade if a tower were built. I thought a skinny tall or smaller low rise could work for future projects. And it would not require too much concrete for a foundation to be built if a smaller tower were built overtop. It wouldn't be too much residential added to that project being there is perhaps more residential to be proposed for the SHED district.

Probably a better question for Viking or Drew on the cost benefit of a pre-built tower foundation. My guess it it would be cost prohibitive - as in raise the cost of the initial building to a point where it throws the budgeting and profit margins out of whack and might make it not possible to proceed.

[drew]

^ in terms of overbuilding a foundation for a tower above, IMO it only makes sense, cost wise if you are going to pull the trigger and build everything at once. A developer would be hard pressed to justify the extra expense for a future tower expansion that may not happen.

That is why this change from a residential tower and parkade complex to a stand alone parkade and residential building has me concerned about the immediate plans for this site.

The only reason in my mind to change this to 2 separate buildings and 2 separate foundations is if the developer will be building one now, and saving the other to the future. You don't do this change if both are being built at the same time.

Hopefully I am just being overly pessimistic, but I would definitely be concerned regarding when and if the residential portion of this project is built.

Of course, this is just based on my opinion. No actual knowledge of the project.
But from what has been completed so far, the construction being used doesn't scream out that the developer is throwing ANY extra money towards any part of this project.

(no basement, pre-cast components, trawler cranes, etc.etc.)

[Wigglez]

I have a question about the parkade at the corner of King and Bannatyne. Why has the ground level retail of that thing remained unoccupied for so long? Is the rent too high? Not enough interest? Terrible space?

The parkade is (sadly) at a great location so I assumed the ground level retail would fill up fairly fast. Whats gone wrong?

[headhorse]

This is an architect that does mostly suburban developments, but I found this on his website. No idea what the status is...

York/Fort

from http://www.dsarch.ca

[rypinion]

Originally Posted by headhorse

This is an architect that does mostly suburban developments, but I found this on his website. No idea what the status is...

from http://www.dsarch.ca

Would that ever be nice to help fill in that big 'void' between Smith and Fort, York and St Mary. It's just a big no mans land there.

(This isn't a comment on the architecture itself, purely on the idea of some density and a tallish building at that location)

[CoryB]

Originally Posted by drew

The only reason in my mind to change this to 2 separate buildings and 2 separate foundations is if the developer will be building one now, and saving the other to the future. You don't do this change if both are being built at the same time.

Something else that seems odd is the original condo tower layout called for a common hall down the middle of the floor with units on the outside perimeter of the building. For the floors of the new condo that are below of the height of the parkade waht is going to the be the plan? That is not an insignificant amount of space? Also as two seperate buildings what has now happened to the shared outdoor space that seemed like it was going to be built on the parkade roof?

This change to the Glass House project seems to bring up a lot of questions.

It seems pretty clear the parkade is proceeding as they were getting money from the City towards its construction. Perhaps they ran into an issue with what is a "parkade" cost and what was a "condo" cost hence the splitting of the two into seperate projects. To answer my own question, perhaps the new, lower floors of the condo tower will be parking dedicated to only the condos.

[headhorse]

Originally Posted by rypinion

Would that ever be nice to help fill in that big 'void' between Smith and Fort, York and St Mary. It's just a big no mans land there.

(This isn't a comment on the architecture itself, purely on the idea of some density and a tallish building at that location)

no architecture to comment on... that thing is ugly

[esquire]

Originally Posted by headhorse

no architecture to comment on... that thing is ugly

Not the greatest design ever seen in Winnipeg, but definitely not the worst either. It at least makes an effort to address the sidewalk (unlike, for example, Peace Tower) and interact with its surroundings a bit. I think it would also be a significant improvement over what's there now... that area feels so forlorn that it practically repels pedestrians.

It would be interesting to know if there are any serious plans to build that.

[Chadillaccc]

Is that an official proposal?

[morty]

Originally Posted by CoryB

Something else that seems odd is the original condo tower layout called for a common hall down the middle of the floor with units on the outside perimeter of the building. For the floors of the new condo that are below of the height of the parkade waht is going to the be the plan? That is not an insignificant amount of space? Also as two seperate buildings what has now happened to the shared outdoor space that seemed like it was going to be built on the parkade roof?

This change to the Glass House project seems to bring up a lot of questions.

It seems pretty clear the parkade is proceeding as they were getting money from the City towards its construction. Perhaps they ran into an issue with what is a "parkade" cost and what was a "condo" cost hence the splitting of the two into seperate projects. To answer my own question, perhaps the new, lower floors of the condo tower will be parking dedicated to only the condos.

It's definitely strange. The "Glasshouse VIP" brochure had fairly detailed plans for amenities and such. Parking seems like the easiest solution to the blank wall problem, but why not just leave the project as is, then? There won't be any room for the outdoor terrace, but I suppose amenities like a dining area and stuff can be placed inside, potentially on an entire floorplate. From there, units on one half and amenities such as yoga studios and theatres on the side with no windows?

It's a weird change, and I hope it doesn't mean the project is in danger of joining the list of Winnipeg Never Built Phase 2s.

[bomberjet]

I don't think it would have to do with splitting costs between the city and developer. The developer would just have to pay the additional costs for the upgraded foundation, columns, etc. Seems to me the condo tower is going back to a future tower, as it was originally.

Of course all speculation on my part. I sure hope it isn't. Maybe they're just going for a more traditional type building as opposed to having it on top of the parkade. It's all very odd at this stage of the game when shovels are in the ground.

[1ajs]

Originally Posted by headhorse

This is an architect that does mostly suburban developments, but I found this on his website. No idea what the status is...

York/Fort

from http://www.dsarch.ca

ifu look at the street view of that it shows building improvments going on wonder if someone had fixed it up to sell?? witch is odd

[armorand93]

Originally Posted by headhorse

no architecture to comment on... that thing is ugly

better than a parking lot.

[bomberjet]

Rumblings from the underground, there's stuffs going on with the Waverley grade separation. Nothing imminent, but moving in the forward direction.

Got stuck there yesterday for a back to backer. Made me late! Couldn't imagine doing that one daily.

[good_dude]

Originally Posted by headhorse

the new Shoppers on Osborne is opening this week. It doesn't look bad, but for some reason they are using at least two different types of brick.. looks a little wonky

Dunno if you mean different types of brick mixed on a façade, or different types per façade. Since the proejct was not going to involve 3 separate commercial units on the street (which would have been a much better fit with the storefront rhythm of Osborne), Shoppers was asked by planners to support that rhythm with differentiation in the façade. It's not as good as having 3 genuine storefronts but under the circumstances I think it's a win for urban design. You'll notice that not only are the brick types different on the 3 street facing façades, but there is also some differentiation in heights and cornice design on each. This is all on purpose. Again, not perfect but I for one sure appreciate this approach more than a long blank wall running along Osborne.

They were also asked to pull the post office out of the store and place it up to the street with its own entrance, creating something like a stand alone post office storefront. We'll soon see if that materializes.

[wags_in_the_peg]

Originally Posted by Wigglez

I have a question about the parkade at the corner of King and Bannatyne. Why has the ground level retail of that thing remained unoccupied for so long? Is the rent too high? Not enough interest? Terrible space?

The parkade is (sadly) at a great location so I assumed the ground level retail would fill up fairly fast. Whats gone wrong?

many of you urbanist all push for street level retail but I have yet to see it succeed everywhere. parkade is empty, waterfront drive is a joke for the most part, new condo building on goulet been empty for over 1 year, etc. althought it's a beauty of a thought the days of mom and pop opening a shoe repair store are gone.