Winnipeg Construction VIII - Page 146

Cyro · #**2901** Posted **Apr 28, 2014, 6:46 PM**

It's very positive news to here Lount is getting back into the frey.

If this Corp. with it's track record of past developments in the area feels it's time to step back in and build, I'll take that as a fairly good sign that the market is ready for it. It shows a new confidence and need for increased apartment construction.

DonaldSmith · #**2902** Posted **Apr 28, 2014, 7:03 PM**

Aspers sell downtown office tower

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/Aspers-sell-downtown-office-tower-257029511.html

It was sold to Greystone (which primarily manages pensions money) and Harvard Developments. Considering an active development company has a piece of the deal, it bodes well for the potential 416 Main development.

Does anyone know much about Harvard?

bomberjet · #**2903** Posted **Apr 28, 2014, 7:15 PM**

^They're big in Regina. Form what I hear, they're a "good" developer. I think they're behind those towers in downtown Regina that are all the same.

esquire · #**2904** Posted **Apr 28, 2014, 7:17 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonaldSmith

Aspers sell downtown office tower

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/Aspers-sell-downtown-office-tower-257029511.html

It was sold to Greystone (which primarily manages pensions money) and Harvard Developments. Considering an active development company has a piece of the deal, it bodes well for the potential 416 Main development.

Does anyone know much about Harvard?

Pretty big regional player based out of Sask. They develop all over western North America and they are involved in the Seasons of Tuxedo project locally.

I don't see how this can't be good news for Wpg. The prospects for development at Portage and Main couldn't have been much worse than they were under the Aspers, who whiffed several times on new projects for the sites north and west of the existing tower.

By contrast, Harvard gets things built... they have built several of Regina's tallest, among other things. Maybe now that the site is in the hands of a legit developer we'll see something happen on those sites... not just the old McIntyre Block site north of the tower, but also that gawdawful plaza to the west where the Aspers demolished a decent looking modernist lowrise and replaced it with that ugly jumbotron.

roccerfeller · #**2905** Posted **Apr 28, 2014, 7:26 PM**

Just to add, some of their development portfolio:

http://harvard.ca/real-estate/development

trueviking · #**2906** Posted **Apr 28, 2014, 7:31 PM**

I see that as very very good news for the parking lot at Portage Main.

Flatland Metropolis · #**2907** Posted **Apr 28, 2014, 7:44 PM**

Hardly a "wow" factor in terms of a development portfolio at least in terms of style. But if they get some infill to the north there that would be impressive. It seems more likely that the parking lot would sit empty for a while though, I think this was just more of an opportunity for them, but we will see.

wags_in_the_peg · #**2908** Posted **Apr 28, 2014, 7:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by trueviking

I see that as very very good news for the parking lot at Portage Main.

i see it as great news that you are saying it's very very good news!

trueviking · #**2909** Posted **Apr 28, 2014, 7:49 PM**

Rumour was the hotel commitment was being packaged with the property....hopefully that is true.

any change in ownership is a good thing....now I can start going inside the building again....and I don't have to cross the sidewalk when going by.

Cyro · #**2910** Posted **Apr 28, 2014, 8:13 PM**

I find the connection between Paul J. Hill Chairman, President and CEO of The Hill Companies, of which Harvard is a part of their enormous umbrella of companies, the list goes on and on..and rumors interesting, let's just call it speculation, of another hotel/ possible condo mix project, not too far fetched in actually being built here.

The pieces of the puzzle don't quite all fit together yet but it would not surprise me if something is in the mix for the not to distant future.

micheal · #**2911** Posted **Apr 28, 2014, 9:14 PM**

Harvard developements also owns and is developing o claire market in calgary. They also have a u.s. arm that has quit a bit of developement in arizona. They also are involved in oil and gas,manufacturing, property management and insurance. They are a very big privately owned company. Greystone is also a big company. It manages big pension plans. Don black is involved. Went to achool with his son dustin.

1ajs · #**2912** Posted **Apr 29, 2014, 3:33 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by trueviking

anyone remember what's happening with this building?....it appears work has restarted there.

wasnt that supost to become a craft beer place?

1ajs · #**2913** Posted **Apr 29, 2014, 3:40 AM**

thats big news about the td building interesting

Bdog · #**2914** Posted **Apr 29, 2014, 4:15 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyro

It's very positive news to here Lount is getting back into the frey.

Unintentional GoT reference?

Stormer · #**2915** Posted **Apr 29, 2014, 4:51 AM**

Harvard is a very successful 110 year old company with several $ Billion in real estate assets under its control. Greystone has over $30 billion under management including a large real estate portfolio. I can't recall either of them investing in hotels though. All three buildings in my avatar were built by Harvard.

The two companies do many projects together.

DonaldSmith · #**2916** Posted **Apr 29, 2014, 3:36 PM**

Bockstael Construction is building Glasshouse.

http://us3.campaign-archive2.com/?u=056ab3329ce107d6dff53652d&id=7d8eb2341c

Cyro · #**2917** Posted **Apr 29, 2014, 4:06 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1ajs

wasnt that supost to become a craft beer place?

Just speculating on 274-276 Garry St., Norris Building.
Aqua Books sold it in Mid 2012, supposed to have been a Cultural Centre when they moved, but it didn't pan out. Aqua of course moved to the Exchange, Princess St.

I haven't checked on this but who bought the property? It took quite some time to sell.

Was it Fortress? Where are they going to construct the sales centre? Don't know who owns it at the moment, It would go along way to explain why it's being renovated.Then again it could be a brew pub.

Edit..yes BDog....ooops, note to self, Re-read post before clicking submit..

theruler462 · #**2918** Posted **Apr 29, 2014, 4:12 PM**

I can't comment on who actually owns the building but it was supposed to have been turned into a restaurant, The Pint.

http://www.thepint.ca/

I'm assuming their plans may be on hold while they wait to see what happens with the Fortress proposal.

Cyro · #**2919** Posted **Apr 29, 2014, 4:25 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by theruler462

I can't comment on who actually owns the building but it was supposed to have been turned into a restaurant, The Pint.

http://www.thepint.ca/

I'm assuming their plans may be on hold while they wait to see what happens with the Fortress proposal.

You could be bang on wiith the pint. Probably the most likely scenario. I'm just trying to picture where the sales centre will go and if they will cut a major swath of the parking lot out for it.

DonaldSmith · #**2920** Posted **Apr 29, 2014, 5:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by theruler462

I can't comment on who actually owns the building but it was supposed to have been turned into a restaurant, The Pint.

http://www.thepint.ca/

I'm assuming their plans may be on hold while they wait to see what happens with the Fortress proposal.

It is owned by a numbered Alberta Company. Which would make sense if The Pint, an Alberta company owns it.

Another hint is that is being painted in the same company colour.