Winnipeg Construction VIII - Page 29

JamieDavid Exchange · #**561** Posted **Sep 6, 2013, 12:15 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Authentic_City

From their twitter account today:

FortressDevelopments ‏@FortressRDI 2m

Good Morning #Winnipeg... See you at 11am (and see more!) pic.twitter.com/plpV3H5tjq

The Free Press also has a story with the leaked image from here:

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/sneak-peek-at-big-skyscraper-222635381.html

Well, that sure as hell not Winnipeg, unless there are 18 different projects we all don't know about. And from this picture, I do see balconies.

I like how the free press credited me for the spoil alert. LOL.

PS I didn't forward anything to the free press like how they made it seem. There's a creeperella from the free press that clearly likes to lurk on this site.

trueviking · #**562** Posted **Sep 6, 2013, 12:55 PM**

Ha ha. Well done!

If there was ever any doubt that the media reads this forum.

Great stuff. Pretty funny how they didn't even try to make winnipeg in the rendering.

Biff · #**563** Posted **Sep 6, 2013, 1:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by trueviking

Pretty funny how they didn't even try to make winnipeg in the rendering.

I was laughing at that too after seeing the higher res image. It is funny though, that it does SORT of look like Winnipeg if you squint - arena to the west with two new towers across the street (Alt and Glasshouse) and a cluster of highrises just to the east symbolizing Portage and Main.

DonaldSmith · #**564** Posted **Sep 6, 2013, 1:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by trueviking

Great stuff. Pretty funny how they didn't even try to make winnipeg in the rendering.

It looks like it was just a premade render that they had on hand before and they just needed something to show. The building looks like it would be too small for the lot.

Also, did anyone notice the sky walk to the police station?

Biff · #**565** Posted **Sep 6, 2013, 1:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonaldSmith

Also, did anyone notice the sky walk to the police station?

I believe that is planned.

bomberjet · #**566** Posted **Sep 6, 2013, 1:35 PM**

There's a colour image from the Free Press now.

Source

trueviking · #**567** Posted **Sep 6, 2013, 1:38 PM**

It could have been a much more dramatic image with portage and main in the background.

Anyways. It's a nice design for what it's worth. Would be a nice addition to the skyline that's for sure. Would love to fill that parking lot.

esquire · #**568** Posted **Sep 6, 2013, 1:39 PM**

It's clear that the rendering tries to show the building in its proper downtown Winnipeg context (for instance, you can clearly see where Princess St. starts to bend northeast), as opposed to a totally generic rendering that shows the building in some random Chinese city, so that's a plus. I won't blame them for not painstakingly illustrating half of downtown just to show what their building will look like!

As for the building itself, I like it. At first blush it reminds me of a modern take on First Canadian Place in Calgary. The sloped roof is something new and different for this city, and between that and its height (roughly 37 storeys by my count) it would certainly stand out in the skyline, if it actually gets built.

The podium is quite big which is a plus in my view. I realize that other complexes are like that but still manage to be pretty dead (hello, Fort Garry Place) but a few shops and offices can only help to liven up the streetscape.

The skywalk to the Police HQ isn't really a great surprise... considering how easy it is to link the project to the main skywalk system, it would be tough for the developers not to. Besides providing residents with an amenity, it will also encourage people nearby to wander in to eat or shop, and it'll appeal to office tenants too.

Of course, the best part of this proposal is that it would turn one of Winnipeg's most embarrassing dead zones into the site of one of our nicest-looking buildings. Winnipeg will always have a few surface lots downtown, but if projects like this can help get rid of the multi-block monsters, then we might see some real progress.

Now the big question is: will it actually get built? There are a lot of downtown condo projects on the go for a city where demand for downtown living is lower than in most other major Canadian cities.

trueviking · #**569** Posted **Sep 6, 2013, 1:50 PM**

This is kind of interesting. Fort rouge yards will be a Mike Holmes community. 'Canada's first' Sales start tomorrow. Bad day for that press release.

http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1220463/mike-holmes-to-build-holmes-community-in-winnipeg

esquire · #**570** Posted **Sep 6, 2013, 1:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by trueviking

This is kind of interesting. Fort rouge yards will be a Mike Holmes community. Sales start tomorrow. Bad day for that press release.

http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1220463/mike-holmes-to-build-holmes-community-in-winnipeg

Of all the days to issue that press release!

I didn't know that Mike Holmes-branded communities were a thing. I presume GEM Equities is still the developer?

trueviking · #**571** Posted **Sep 6, 2013, 1:58 PM**

Esquire I agree. The skywalk was a must. The rendering isn't totally generic. I could see a lower level view with portage and main behind being a good image.

They are still flogging the multi level underground parkade. I guess they haven't had their local architect long enough to explain our soils to them.

The retail will certainly be scaled down as well as the office.

To be honest if they built half of this I'd be happy. In fact if they just built the base I'd be happy. Just fill that parking lot.

JamieDavid Exchange · #**572** Posted **Sep 6, 2013, 2:00 PM**

What do you all think about the cement facade on the east side? Or, is that just an appearance?

bomberjet · #**573** Posted **Sep 6, 2013, 2:08 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamieDavid Exchange

What do you all think about the cement facade on the east side? Or, is that just an appearance?

From the image it almost looks like a limestone facade that extends from the podium on the east side all the up and over the top, then back down the west side. Again, maybe it's just the lighting. Could look sharp!

bomberjet · #**574** Posted **Sep 6, 2013, 2:09 PM**

And it's always nice when some local guys ruffle the feathers of some Toronto execs by leaking there tower! Good job!

Surprised that they actually responded last night and released a rendering early.

Also the Free Press article says someone tipped them off. So maybe the weren't perusing SSP, or maybe it's a cover!

DonaldSmith · #**575** Posted **Sep 6, 2013, 2:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by trueviking

This is kind of interesting. Fort rouge yards will be a Mike Holmes community. 'Canada's first' Sales start tomorrow. Bad day for that press release.

Construction is really coming along there. Nothing above ground yet. I will try to snap some pictures this week end.

trueviking · #**576** Posted **Sep 6, 2013, 2:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by esquire

Of all the days to issue that press release!

I didn't know that Mike Holmes-branded communities were a thing. I presume GEM Equities is still the developer?

They want it to be a thing. A couple more are in the works. One in Calgary.

Basically he charges a quality control fee that they hope to recoup with higher condo costs for his star power and credibility. GEM are still the developers.

ctochico · #**577** Posted **Sep 6, 2013, 2:25 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by trueviking

Esquire I agree. The skywalk was a must. The rendering isn't totally generic. I could see a lower level view with portage and main behind being a good image.

They are still flogging the multi level underground parkade. I guess they haven't had their local architect long enough to explain our soils to them.

The retail will certainly be scaled down as well as the office.

To be honest if they built half of this I'd be happy. In fact if they just built the base I'd be happy. Just fill that parking lot.

any word on who the local architect is?

esquire · #**578** Posted **Sep 6, 2013, 2:35 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamieDavid Exchange

What do you all think about the cement facade on the east side? Or, is that just an appearance?

I can't imagine concrete or limestone being used... I think you're likely seeing seeing metal panels of some sort, like the kind seen on most newer buildings downtown. Take a look at the Hydro Building along the Carlton Street side for an example.

drew · #**579** Posted **Sep 6, 2013, 2:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by trueviking

They want it to be a thing. A couple more are in the works. One in Calgary.

Basically he charges a quality control fee that they hope to recoup with higher condo costs for his star power and credibility. GEM are still the developers.

Quality control... GEM equities...

I guess Mike Holmes doesn't do his homework.

This will inevitably end up going down in a big ball of flames!

...or at least several lawsuits.

Biff · #**580** Posted **Sep 6, 2013, 3:08 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by drew

Quality control... GEM equities...

I guess Mike Holmes doesn't do his homework.

This will inevitably end up going down in a big ball of flames!

...or at least several lawsuits.

Yeah, but then Mike will swing in with his show and "Make It Right!" It is all well planned......mwuha ha ha ha.......cough, cough