Winnipeg | Exchange District | Developments & Discussions - Page 58

Portmanteau · #**1141** Posted **Feb 11, 2016, 3:41 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urban recluse

Perhaps a decade from now, the buildings will be sold, and new, larger windows will be installed. Certainly loft living is attractive with large windows as a basic feature.

This. In a decade when the Exchange is fulfilling it's potential I bet these rentals will go condo. New windows will be part of the conversion.

1ajs · #**1142** Posted **Feb 11, 2016, 3:53 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Portmanteau

This. In a decade when the Exchange is fulfilling it's potential I bet these rentals will go condo. New windows will be part of the conversion.

iulegal to convert them to condos

Urban recluse · #**1143** Posted **Feb 11, 2016, 4:25 AM**

Why would that be?

1ajs · #**1144** Posted **Feb 11, 2016, 5:19 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urban recluse

Why would that be?

u cant do it to an ocpided building for x number of years really had the rules tightened on it

oftheMoon · #**1145** Posted **Feb 11, 2016, 2:43 PM**

I noticed today that variance notices are up on the 98 Market site. I didn't get a chance to stop and take a look though.

Portmanteau · #**1146** Posted **Feb 11, 2016, 8:03 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by oftheMoon

I noticed today that variance notices are up on the 98 Market site. I didn't get a chance to stop and take a look though.

Was just coming here to comment that. They went up last week - they're all Greek to me though. Funnily enough, some good Samaritan
only tore off the District Condos notice from the adjacent telephone pole in the fall. Construction completed 2011

Portmanteau · #**1147** Posted **Feb 11, 2016, 8:17 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1ajs

u cant do it to an ocpided building for x number of years really had the rules tightened on it

I glanced through the new condo act and all I could see were new rules on the amount of notice required to existing tenants, and right of first refusal. That, and reserve fund rules and inspections of course.

Urban recluse · #**1148** Posted **Feb 11, 2016, 8:18 PM**

Can anyone with inside info reveal anything about the newest plans for the pump house?

oftheMoon · #**1149** Posted **Feb 11, 2016, 9:18 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urban recluse

Can anyone with inside info reveal anything about the newest plans for the pump house?

No inside info from me, but my GF works with someone who lives in Sky II and said to her the other day, "so did you hear they want to put up a building behind the pump house". That's all I know...

Urban recluse · #**1150** Posted **Feb 11, 2016, 9:23 PM**

Interesting. Parkade?

oftheMoon · #**1151** Posted **Feb 11, 2016, 9:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urban recluse

Interesting. Parkade?

No idea lol, but am very curious.

bomberjet · #**1152** Posted **Feb 11, 2016, 9:43 PM**

I think there was always a plan to put up a parkade behind the pumphouse. It stretched over Amy St IIRC? Maybe that was specific to that proposal for the pumphouse. But pretty sure there is some form of parkade to go up there no matter what. The James St parkade, which has floundered in failed RFP's. From the SSP insiders, that one is moving forward again.

Urban recluse · #**1153** Posted **Feb 11, 2016, 10:21 PM**

No more museums please. The pump house would make a great market.

bomberjet · #**1154** Posted **Feb 11, 2016, 10:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urban recluse

No more museums please. The pump house would make a great market.

Fantastic idea. That'd be cool getting your green onions from a table setup next to a centuries old pump.

windypeg · #**1155** Posted **Feb 11, 2016, 10:44 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urban recluse

No more museums please. The pump house would make a great market.

In theory yes, but it took almost a decade to fill the other commercial units on Waterfront so I'm not sure how realistic that is. A residential tower on top would bring the customers needed to support a market in the pumphouse but we've learned the NIMBYs in the area will fight that for some reason.

Whatever happens I think they should preserve at least some part of the machinery for people to look at, not so much a museum as a monument somewhere inside the space...

Urban recluse · #**1156** Posted **Feb 11, 2016, 11:04 PM**

The last project--mammoth in scale--was approved. I suspect if the plan includes a residential tower atop, it should go through city hall easily. Perhaps it will be one of the projects CV revealed regarding proposals for rentals.

Portmanteau · #**1157** Posted **Feb 12, 2016, 8:08 PM**

Isn't there an RFP for the James Ave parkade coming out in April? Would that not be the building she speaks of behind the Pump House?

I'm invoking Murphy's Law here - I expect construction to begin this spring at this location... since I just moved my car to this lot from 90 Market.

In any event, something must be going on with the Pump House proper, because I see people coming and going pretty regularly. There can't be that many looky-loos booking private tours right?

sam_c · #**1158** Posted **Feb 17, 2016, 1:14 AM**

I am curious if there are any current plans to approach potentially interested parties for an Exchange District grocer?

While I love the idea of a locally-owned grocer in the area (DeLuca's, My Farmer's Market, etc), I am wondering if it might make more sense to have the BIZ or CentreVenture contact someone larger as well? When traveling in Toronto recently, I noticed a store called Independent City Market, which I learned was an urban grocer by Loblaws (ie. Superstore). The fact that larger companies like these have smaller versions in other cities' downtown areas makes me think they might be interested in Winnipeg's downtown at some point...?

As the development of the old Brick's Furniture on Market Ave continues, I can't help but think the space would lend itself quite well to a grocer - it's a great location in the middle of the ever-growing East Exchange residences, and close to many of the daytime offices and the evening crowds who are around for shows at MTC/concert hall. The space is quite large, and has a back alley and loading dock would lend themselves very well to a grocer and it would be a waste if not considered for this use. I believe the space also has a freight elevator and basement storage. With talk of potentially closing the LC on Ellice, I wonder if there might be interest in an LC Express elsewhere downtown like they have in the airport and some Superstores, Safeways.

I also have to wonder if CentreVenture would ever consider purchasing this space and subsidizing rent should a local small business have any interest. Not totally sure if this is something they could or would do...

Urban recluse · #**1159** Posted **Feb 17, 2016, 1:45 AM**

Perhaps Loblaws is in talks with Fortress to occupy Skycity. I believe the push is present from the downtown biz and CV; I do not believe that is the issue. If there is profit to be made, these large grocery store companies will open a location in the area.

NK59 · #**1160** Posted **Feb 17, 2016, 3:05 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by windypeg

In theory yes, but it took almost a decade to fill the other commercial units on Waterfront so I'm not sure how realistic that is. A residential tower on top would bring the customers needed to support a market in the pumphouse but we've learned the NIMBYs in the area will fight that for some reason.

The NIMBY's also have yet to see their Waterfront condo's appreciate. My bet is encouraging growth would help with this, but 1 NIMBY usually outweighs 10 who just don`t bother participating.

Downtown residential is just not dense enough in any one particular area to support a grocer. Nobody wants to carry their groceries 4 blocks. Now what they need to target is a downtown weekly grocery delivery service IMO.