Winnipeg Construction VIII

[buzzg]

Construction at Harkness and Mayfair where those houses were torn down is chugging along quickly now, anyone seen renderings for that site?

Also been lots of activity at the Masonic Temple on Donald lately. Last week there was a small crane delivering steel beams into the second floor. Possibly doing their own upgrades to make it more marketable?

[cheswick]

Originally Posted by buzzg

Construction at Harkness and Mayfair where those houses were torn down is chugging along quickly now, anyone seen renderings for that site?

Also been lots of activity at the Masonic Temple on Donald lately. Last week there was a small crane delivering steel beams into the second floor. Possibly doing their own upgrades to make it more marketable?

It seems every so often there's work going on at the temple and nothing seems to ever come of it. Hopefully this time it's different. It seems to be in a decent spot given the proximity to the arena.

[Biff]

Originally Posted by buzzg

Construction at Harkness and Mayfair where those houses were torn down is chugging along quickly now, anyone seen renderings for that site?

[Urban recluse]

Originally Posted by buzzg

Construction at Harkness and Mayfair where those houses were torn down is chugging along quickly now, anyone seen renderings for that site?

Also been lots of activity at the Masonic Temple on Donald lately. Last week there was a small crane delivering steel beams into the second floor. Possibly doing their own upgrades to make it more marketable?

Good to know. This building has so much potential.

[1ajs]

work has begun at the manitoba museum on expanding the exposition hall

[Labroco]

As the whole development is owned by the REIT they would never build condos to sell, just rentals. It's just a great and welcome addition to WS and P&M.


On another note.

I'm not in the city and really hope the Neon sign was just photo shopped by TV onto the Main Street Banking hall!

[LilZebra]

Originally Posted by 1ajs

work has begun at the manitoba museum on expanding the exposition hall

Yeah, I was there too today, to pick up some concert tickets.

I had to use the Men's washroom. Gawd, it's like a step back to 1960s or 1970s style of washroom, and it smelled like it too (no modern ventilation). So it smelled like sh*t in there.

And I haven't been to the gallery recently. The last time I was was maybe 2008-09 some of the signage was still original from ca. 1970.

So the young guy at the ticket desk today said that the Manitoba Museum is going to be expanded.

I told him about the dated washrooms and whether they'd be upgraded. I mentioned that in the Men's washroom, I guess back in the late 70s or so, to create a "Disabled" stall, or what we would call a "Family" stall, the combined two. Well they were so cheap cheap cheap that they left a little peep hole in one of the doors (that no longer opens).

See, it's that kind of mentality that prevents Winnipeg from moving forward.

I expect modern washrooms like we see at Polo Park, St. Vital, Grant Park, etc...

We don't have to stand (or sit) for this nonsense!

As for adding more exhibition space. You know, there's a fair bit of space in the higher floors, except that it's used for storing of artifacts.

The whole building is just so small for our market. It's really a disgrace to Manitoba.

Can someone remind me of the drawing of the new space? I think it wasn't adding much to what was already there.

[buzzg]

thanks biff

and Jim, it doesn't seem like they're adding a ton of space to the main area, it's more about creating a new grand entrance on Main, but don't forget the big new science hall will be built across the street as phase 2.

[esquire]

I can't speak to the specifics of jimj's post, but I agree with his general points... the Centennial Centre has absolutely ruined the clean modernist lines around the entrance to the Manitoba Museum, both inside and out. Hopefully this reno will let them press the reset button and try to do it again in a classier way.

Stepping into the museum lobby is just looking at one eyesore after another.

[Cyro]

^ Few renders from c7a to give perspective to the discussion..





http://c7a.com/work/the-manitoba-museum

-------------

Manitoba Museum gets $5.3M for expansion project
Majority of the renovation and expansion work is expected to be completed by the end of 2016



http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-museum-gets-5-3m-for-expansion-project-1.2981582

If someone would like to start a thread on the project?

[Urban recluse]

A vast improvement. Now, if only the science centre could be fast-tracked.

[Urban recluse]

I hope something is done with the St.Charles and the Royal Albert soon. This area is incredibly dreary.

[esquire]

^ It's kind of busy for my liking with all those graphics, but generally I like it.

So it's all going to happen except for the science wing on the north side?

[esquire]

Originally Posted by Urban recluse

I hope something is done with the St.Charles and the Royal Albert soon. This area is incredibly dreary.

This stretch of Albert could be the best block in the Exchange, but with the terrible neglect of those two buildings, the fire at the Albert St. Business Block and the seeming inability to get the base of the 201 Portage parkade filled, it's a total dead zone right now.

[Urban recluse]

I get your point about the graphics; I do not know what those will be made of. At least they add some zest I suppose.

[Urban recluse]

Originally Posted by esquire

This stretch of Albert could be the best block in the Exchange, but with the terrible neglect of those two buildings, the fire at the Albert St. Business Block and the seeming inability to get the base of the 201 Portage parkade filled, it's a total dead zone right now.

Agreed. This area, including the disgusting Oxford Hotel, up to and including the Lindsay building, down Albert, could be amazing.

[bomberjet]

I walked through Albert and Arthur area at lunch today. Totally agree. There's sooooooooooooo much potential there. I would love to come down there on a Saturday afternoon, have some drinks, hit a restaurant for dinner. Then do whatever the night has to offer. Love the old buildings, love the vibe, but not much action..

[Urban recluse]

Hopefully with all of the developments announced recently, other building owners will be inspired to redevelop/renovate their buildings.

[CoryB]

Originally Posted by esquire

This stretch of Albert could be the best block in the Exchange, but with the terrible neglect of those two buildings, the fire at the Albert St. Business Block and the seeming inability to get the base of the 201 Portage parkade filled, it's a total dead zone right now.

Honestly, the base of the 201 Portage parkade, sitting vacant as it is now, has far more promise that it did for a long stretch when it was fully occupied. Until about five years back the space was fully leased to a gym. With no real street presence you could hardly tell though. That speaks how it is going to be important to not just fill the space but find the right tenant.

[LilZebra]

Originally Posted by Urban recluse

I hope something is done with the St.Charles and the Royal Albert soon. This area is incredibly dreary.

Yeah, bringing in PCL for demo of St. Charles.