Winnipeg | Exchange District | Developments & Discussions

[oftheMoon]

Originally Posted by Simplicity

Most of that work is more likely than not just work that's necessary to comply with the vacant building by-law. And if you're as wealthy as Qualico and you're holding an asset, you still don't want it becoming a quasi-homeless shelter waiting for arson like many others that have met that fate. You'd at least protect it at minimal cost. It's not indicative of much. .

Yes, I suppose that's true. These buildings had cinder blocks where the windows are going so at least it's an esthetic improvement to the area.

And I guess I'm a simple, glass half-full kinda guy so I see every little improvement helping because it all adds up in the long run.

[Simplicity]

Originally Posted by oftheMoon

Yes, I suppose that's true. These buildings had cinder blocks where the windows are going so at least it's an esthetic improvement to the area.

And I guess I'm a simple, glass half-full kinda guy so I see every little improvement helping because it all adds up in the long run.

Hey, to each their own. Back in the 90's when all of these buildings were vacant many of them had issues with transient, illegal occupancy. Invariably a bunch of drunks would pass out with a fire going and there ended up being numerous fires inside these old heritage structures that collectively started eating away at the structural integrity of the building. That led to no-go orders by the fire and police departments because they weren't considered safe. Naturally this led to more of the same behaviour. The fact that those days are more or less behind us is progress in and of itself. But these buildings also weren't sealed leading to contamination issues from pigeons and rodents, so sealing up a building is now a good way to at least protect the investment even if the near term plan isn't to develop it.

[Labroco]

Originally Posted by Simplicity

Hey, to each their own. Back in the 90's when all of these buildings were vacant many of them had issues with transient, illegal occupancy. Invariably a bunch of drunks would pass out with a fire going and there ended up being numerous fires inside these old heritage structures that collectively started eating away at the structural integrity of the building. That led to no-go orders by the fire and police departments because they weren't considered safe. Naturally this led to more of the same behaviour. The fact that those days are more or less behind us is progress in and of itself. But these buildings also weren't sealed leading to contamination issues from pigeons and rodents, so sealing up a building is now a good way to at least protect the investment even if the near term plan isn't to develop it.

Leon A Brown Ltd will be announcing a new micro brewery at 125 Pacific Avenue .
The site has been saved from the wrecking ball / parking lot syndrome we continue to see in downtown winnipeg today.

Beer will be manufactured and employment created. This type type of organic growth will help change the neighborhood and give us a chance to try something new in the area.


Hope to raise a pint by Christmas!

Cheers! ( more beer less parking!)

[1ajs]

sweet

[buzzg]

Does anyone know if the Police Credit Union will be moving into the new HQ? It'd be nice to see that building (it's actually pretty nice) redeveloped into something sans drive-thru.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by buzzg

Does anyone know if the Police Credit Union will be moving into the new HQ? It'd be nice to see that building (it's actually pretty nice) redeveloped into something sans drive-thru.

That building is relatively modern (late 90s?)... I'm sure it would be an appealing place for different users... hopefully without the drive thru.

I wonder where the CU would move to? The main floor of the office tower portion of the block would be a great place... the old post office area has high ceilings and looks very banky.

[CoryB]

^^ That building is late 1970s/early 1980s and used to be a Juniors restaurant before the credit union took it over and renovated it.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by CoryB

^^ That building is late 1970s/early 1980s and used to be a Juniors restaurant before the credit union took it over and renovated it.

It wasn't renovated, they tore down the Juniors and built the CU new in 1998 (looked it up on the WPCU website). Pretty amazing for what was probably one of the then-newest buildings in the entire Exchange District (Junior's was only about 20 years old at that point) to get torn down to make way for the new building, but that's how it happened.

Incidentally, I remember an Exchange District property owner telling me, it must have been oh, maybe 12 years ago, that the owner of the Juniors who sold the property was up to then the only person to make real money on an Exchange District property in years!

[Authentic_City]

Originally Posted by esquire

It wasn't renovated, they tore down the Juniors and built the CU new in 1998 (looked it up on the WPCU website). Pretty amazing for what was probably one of the then-newest buildings in the entire Exchange District (Junior's was only about 20 years old at that point) to get torn down to make way for the new building, but that's how it happened.

Incidentally, I remember an Exchange District property owner telling me, it must have been oh, maybe 12 years ago, that the owner of the Juniors who sold the property was up to then the only person to make real money on an Exchange District property in years!

I can remember the lean years of the Exchange when the old Juniors on Princess and William and the old Tim Hortons on Notre Dame near King were about the only hubs of activity in the late evening in the West Exchange. I believe that Tims was 24 hours. It's interesting that both disappeared just as the Exchange started its renaissance. A 24 hour coffee shop downtown would not be a bad thing. Is anything open 24 hrs downtown anymore?

[1ajs]

the new tims on isabel and ross is.

anyhow yea junors was demolished hell i remember when cibc was still across the st befor it sat vacant and became a day care
and i had a few burgers at that juniors with my dad as a kid

[esquire]

Originally Posted by Authentic_City

I can remember the lean years of the Exchange when the old Juniors on Princess and William and the old Tim Hortons on Notre Dame near King were about the only hubs of activity in the late evening in the West Exchange. I believe that Tims was 24 hours. It's interesting that both disappeared just as the Exchange started its renaissance. A 24 hour coffee shop downtown would not be a bad thing. Is anything open 24 hrs downtown anymore?

The Tims basically moved to Portage Place. But you're right, not a lot is open 24 hours... there are some late night restaurants like Jing Jing and maybe some other Chinatown spots open until 4 in the morning, but I'm hard-pressed to think of any places open 24 hours. I think at one point Sals was open 24 hours... I guess there just isn't that much late night business downtown.

[cllew]

Originally Posted by buzzg

Does anyone know if the Police Credit Union will be moving into the new HQ? It'd be nice to see that building (it's actually pretty nice) redeveloped into something sans drive-thru.

I don't know if there is an incentive to move as not all the members work out of the downtown station.

If you are working out of one of the new district police stations its nice to have the onsite parking or drive through option. If it moves into the new station you have to find street parking or find another credit union to get a free ATM withdrawal.

[buzzg]

Originally Posted by cllew

I don't know if there is an incentive to move as not all the members work out of the downtown station.

If you are working out of one of the new district police stations its nice to have the onsite parking or drive through option. If it moves into the new station you have to find street parking or find another credit union to get a free ATM withdrawal.

If you can withdrawal from any credit union then I would be surprised if many ppl come downtown to it anyway

[cllew]

members have safety deposit boxes, or come to the CU to meet with the financial planners when their marriages go bust.

[buzzg]

Originally Posted by cllew

members have safety deposit boxes, or come to the CU to meet with the financial planners when their marriages go bust.

Fair, but they're not regular occurrences for ppl

[bogdog]

Originally Posted by Authentic_City

I Is anything open 24 hrs downtown anymore?

Robin's York and Garry

[esquire]

Originally Posted by bogdog

Robin's York and Garry

Really? I had no idea it was open all night. That's good in terms of downtown amenities, but still, it's hard to imagine anything more depressing than sitting in a Robins at 3:00 am.

[rypinion]

The soon to be former Brick's furniture location has got to be considered pretty prime space for a restaurant/lounge? Something for theatergoers to frequent before/after shows. Thoughts?

Today's article about it (Authentic_City's post in the Retail thread is yesterday's article):

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/done-and-dusted-306094711.html

Originally Posted by WFP

StreetSide manager Martin Maykut said although Qualico is sorry to lose Brick's as a tenant, the store's closing will make it easier to do the conversion work.

He said the company will now renovate the main-floor area as well, and hopes to find another retailer or office tenant to lease the 10,000-square-foot space. If it can't, it will convert that floor to condos, as well, he added.

[drew]

Originally Posted by rypinion

The soon to be former Brick's furniture location has got to be considered pretty prime space for a restaurant/lounge? Something for theatergoers to frequent before/after shows. Thoughts?

Today's article about it (Authentic_City's post in the Retail thread is yesterday's article):

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/done-and-dusted-306094711.html

It's gotta be nice to have the financial wherewithal to be able to tell your commercial tenant to basically take a hike. It would be a tough spot to need to negotiate with Qualico, seeing as they can afford to not have you around, if you don't like the terms.

I imagine we will see a few more main floor condo/home business type condos in that space, similar to what they did at 132 James, with some condos having private access onto the sidewalk.

[steveosnyder]

Originally Posted by drew

It's gotta be nice to have the financial wherewithal to be able to tell your commercial tenant to basically take a hike. It would be a tough spot to need to negotiate with Qualico, seeing as they can afford to not have you around, if you don't like the terms.

I imagine we will see a few more main floor condo/home business type condos in that space, similar to what they did at 132 James, with some condos having private access onto the sidewalk.

I would like to see this happen, except with more presence towards the Elgin side of the building. I've walked the area a lot and this needs more attention to be successful.