Winnipeg Construction VIII - Page 38

Winnipeg Architect · #**741** Posted **Sep 9, 2013, 10:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by esquire

Not so much a bash Fortress free for all as it is a case of displaying a bit of healthy skpeticism toward a project that is being presented as a done deal.

As for Ray Wan, I like a lot of his work. You can't blame him if a lot of his clients hire him to do a bunch of big boxes, parkades and other non-descript buildings. He has designed some nice large projects like the U of M Residences and the stadium, and projects like SCU and Project W will be nice additions to the skyline. I don't think the distaste for him is universal by any stretch - he can clearly do nice work when that's what his clients are willing to pay for.

If you knew him personally, you would change your mind.

Riverman · #**742** Posted **Sep 9, 2013, 11:27 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winnipeg Architect

If you knew him personally, you would change your mind.

He seemed like a very nice fellow when I met him.

roccerfeller · #**743** Posted **Sep 10, 2013, 12:37 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmyers

Just wanted to introduce myself, I work for Fortress Real Developments (http://fortressrealdevelopments.com/the-team/ben-myers/) and I read forums like these religiously for opinions from locals, and tips on current and future competition.

We appreciate the praise and understand the criticism and skepticism. Understand that the renderings are the "best case scenario", as we understand that the entire Winnipeg CMA has only been completing 200-500 condominium apartments per year (since 2006), and we are proposing 400-500 units in a single building. Trust we have done our due diligence and please note that our builder partner Mady Development has been in business for 40 years with residential and commercial projects in Toronto, Windsor, Dallas, Chicago and Florida.

We hope that Winnipeggers see the value in great projects, as I have witnessed in several markets the increased prices and rents that are achieved in 'signature' projects over traditional or standard projects.

Please let us know what you think we should name the condo: www.liveworkplaywinnipeg.com

Thank You for registering, introducing yourself, and communicating with us!

I think most of us are very hopeful the tower gets built as the "best case" scenario. There is just skepticism as to whether or not it will go forward as imagined

But it is overall very exciting for the city. If Fortress can manage to pull it off as the "best case" scenario, it truly will be a landmark tower. I just hope Winnipeg's strange market ways surprise you in a positive fashion, the way the city surprised the NHL.

Biff · #**744** Posted **Sep 10, 2013, 1:19 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by headhorse

does anyone have any info about those two mixed use projects on Graham between Kennedy and Edmonton on that SHED map?

Twin possible 15-20 storey apartment rental towers.

Jeff · #**745** Posted **Sep 10, 2013, 2:19 AM**

heritage landing from the forks tonight:

DonaldSmith · #**746** Posted **Sep 10, 2013, 2:55 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biff

Twin possible 15-20 storey apartment rental towers.

Beside the Medical Arts Building lot?

oftheMoon · #**747** Posted **Sep 10, 2013, 3:10 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by roccerfeller

I just hope Winnipeg's strange market ways surprise you in a positive fashion, the way the city surprised the NHL.

I really like this comparison. The return of the Jets far exceeded anything many would have ever imagined. Why can't something as aggressive as the Fortress proposal do the same? We can do it Winnipeg!

trueviking · #**748** Posted **Sep 10, 2013, 3:14 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biff

Twin possible 15-20 storey apartment rental towers.

reeeeeaaaaaallllllly???????

that would be awesome....how about the provincial lot beside the WCC expansion?...is that just wishful?

one of those blue boxes is the place louis riel conversion which is chugging along and should see work starting soon....the parkade and ground floors will be redeveloped on the outside and the entire building redone inside...turned into rental units.

oftheMoon · #**749** Posted **Sep 10, 2013, 3:21 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biff

Twin possible 15-20 storey apartment rental towers.

I like it! Graham is so underused in terms of development yet one of the most comfortable streets to walk on east/west through downtown. Portage Ave. will always be Portage Ave, but there's something appealing about Graham. I have this vision of Graham being an "it" strip.

trueviking · #**750** Posted **Sep 10, 2013, 3:24 AM**

^totally....if only it could be turned into the downtown LRT line....graham has huge potential to be amazing....if we can get the fortress, sopo and that site, filled it would be quite a street!

oftheMoon · #**751** Posted **Sep 10, 2013, 3:30 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by trueviking

^totally....if only it could be turned into the downtown LRT line....graham has huge potential to be amazing....if we can get the fortress, sopo and that site, filled it would be quite a street!

Lots of blue sky thinking with it, but the SHED renderings of cityplace look great. Toss in SOPO across the street from it, add a few more restaurants open to the street, people living a few blocks away - instant urban neighbourhood! Where do I sign up!?

Hotbod · #**752** Posted **Sep 10, 2013, 5:41 AM**

I am VERY please with how Winnipeg is evolving into a modern metropolis these days. When I left 12 years ago, the city was on life support. Now, it's exploding with growth and development. Couldn't be prouder of Peg City, which is why I decided to finally join SSP and follow the city's developments first hand

Biff · #**753** Posted **Sep 10, 2013, 1:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonaldSmith

Beside the Medical Arts Building lot?

.....hold on, sorry, sorry, sorry - I had a brain cramp. I was thinking of the empty lot on St Mary and Donald (MPI-2). Sorry for any confusion and empty excitement.

.....sorry Viking wrong spot.

bomberjet · #**754** Posted **Sep 10, 2013, 2:00 PM**

So why is it that Winnipeg doesn't have a need for downtown office space? Is it due to the abundance of stupid suburban business parks that people like myself are stuck in? I would love to work downtown but there aren't many options for myself, really zero options.... Just thinking how the office portions of any project are always difficult. Chalk it up to the Winnipeg culture I guess...

trueviking · #**755** Posted **Sep 10, 2013, 2:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biff

.....hold on, sorry, sorry, sorry - I had a brain cramp. I was thinking of the empty lot on St Mary and Donald (MPI-2). Sorry for any confusion and empty excitement.

.....sorry Viking wrong spot.

buzzkill.

trueviking · #**756** Posted **Sep 10, 2013, 2:24 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bomberjet

So why is it that Winnipeg doesn't have a need for downtown office space? Is it due to the abundance of stupid suburban business parks that people like myself are stuck in? I would love to work downtown but there aren't many options for myself, really zero options.... Just thinking how the office portions of any project are always difficult. Chalk it up to the Winnipeg culture I guess...

because you will die if you work downtown.....

....if you can find parking.

chrisallard5454 · #**757** Posted **Sep 10, 2013, 2:27 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by trueviking

buzzkill.

That is still good new though, isn't it? Or was that always planned for that lot?

trueviking · #**758** Posted **Sep 10, 2013, 2:33 PM**

yeah it is...I was just joking.

I do hate that parking lot.

The Unknown Poster · #**759** Posted **Sep 10, 2013, 2:41 PM**

Pie-In-The-Sky-Point?

J/k very excited about this project.

TV - love old pics like that. I once found a great book in the aftermath of a storage facility fire that was some sort of pictoral history of Winnipeg. I believe the book was put out by the Free Press to celebrate some milestone. I lost the book and have been looking for it ever since.

urbandreamer · #**760** Posted **Sep 10, 2013, 2:43 PM**

You know what would fill in more parking lots and create a better-looking downtown? Build ten 5 storey midrise projects designed by Peter Clewes.