Winnipeg Construction VIII - Page 493

esquire · #**9841** Posted **May 25, 2016, 4:29 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimsabo21

Where did you hear this? Seems extremely high ...

A very reliable source, at least insofar as that particular project is concerned.

jimsabo21 · #**9842** Posted **May 25, 2016, 2:54 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by esquire

A very reliable source, at least insofar as that particular project is concerned.

Well, considering the house in question is ours, I would worry about the reliability of your source. I wonder why people get off on wildly exaggerating project costs? While building this house, it seems like every contractor had a story about how much somebody else had spent ...

Truth is, nobody in the world knows how much our house costs except for us. Even Design-Built (the contractor) could not know since most invoices didn't go through their desk.

Don't get me wrong, the house was certainly pricy in the end, but some of the numbers I've heard floating around are laughable. I've had neighbours tell me how much they "heard" the house cost, and just shake my head. This is where Winnipeg really feels small town at times

esquire · #**9843** Posted **May 25, 2016, 3:22 PM**

^ It was indeed the contractor, but I suppose you are the one person whose word I would accept over his

We were talking to him about possibly doing a new build so he was giving us an idea of what can be done at certain price points. I am somewhat relieved that the real figure is lower than what was quoted.

I guess this is pointing out the obvious, but that is a spectacular home! I can't think of a more beautiful home in the province.

jimsabo21 · #**9844** Posted **May 25, 2016, 7:10 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by esquire

^ It was indeed the contractor, but I suppose you are the one person whose word I would accept over his

We were talking to him about possibly doing a new build so he was giving us an idea of what can be done at certain price points. I am somewhat relieved that the real figure is lower than what was quoted.

I guess this is pointing out the obvious, but that is a spectacular home! I can't think of a more beautiful home in the province.

Thanks

To be clear, there are so many ways to look at price / sq. ft. In our particular case, building in mid-tuxedo, the land and cost of demolition alone would equate to $125 per foot of the new house. Should that count? Meaning, someone could build the exact same house for much less depending on the lot they choose. Another thing is garage. We built a heated 3 car garage which is nearly 1300 ft.; yet that portion of the build does not count as official square footage. The house also has many "double volumed" spaces, which again don't count as square footage. The basement is very large with 10 foot high ceilings, completely finished to the same quality as the remainder of the house, which isn't calculated in square footage. Lastly, there was significant money spent in the "courtyard" (swimming pool, ipe decking, outdoor kitchen, fireplace, concrete work, lighting, audio, etc ...) which don't count as interior square footage. Also, factor in a large paving stone driveway, walkway, sod, cedar trees, etc ...

Point being, cost per foot is irrelevant in many cases because of peripheral decisions made on where to invest your money (for example, building a courtyard rather than more indoor space, or a large garage, or lot location, etc ...)

If you're talking house only, and are thinking of a custom build via architect designed house, I would assume a $300-$400 price per foot. Add to that your cost of lot, landscaping, garage, etc ...

h0twired · #**9845** Posted **May 25, 2016, 8:33 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimsabo21

If you're talking house only, and are thinking of a custom build via architect designed house, I would assume a $300-$400 price per foot. Add to that your cost of lot, landscaping, garage, etc ...

Sure it isn't really an accurate indicator or the cost of the construction of just the pure square footage of the house, but after all is said and done you have probably spent ~$700 sqft for your home with landscaping, parking and a nice basement.

bomberjet · #**9846** Posted **May 25, 2016, 8:47 PM**

I'll agree that's a bad metric for a property like that. Maybe this is good for judging condos.

Say if you have a 10 acre property. You've built driveways, roads, sheds, a pool, etc. All that together does not equal $10,000k/sf.

jimsabo21 · #**9847** Posted **May 26, 2016, 3:26 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by h0twired

Sure it isn't really an accurate indicator or the cost of the construction of just the pure square footage of the house, but after all is said and done you have probably spent ~$700 sqft for your home with landscaping, parking and a nice basement.

Significantly less ... but I understand what you are trying to say.

What I am saying is that just on lot cost alone (we had to buy and tear down the old dwelling), we could have put a 600 sq. ft. mobile home on the site, and then people would say we that 'trailer park' cost $1000 per foot to build. See how irrelevant it becomes?

Here's another very real example: Many homes facing lakes are bungalows with walk-out basements. The entire design is dedicated to that walk-out basement. But, according to MLS, only above grade floors count as "listable" square footage. So, a 1600 ft bungalow actually has 3200 ft of amazing space. When that house gets listed for $1,000,000 it appears the cost per foot is $625 compared to the two storey house of 2800 ft. across the road which "only" costs $350 per foot.

Unless you're talking condos, price per foot is about the most irrelevant measure still used in real estate.

bomberjet · #**9848** Posted **May 27, 2016, 2:11 PM**

Re-clad of 330 St. Mary to start at beginning of June. Not sure what if it's just a straight up replacement or if it's going to look any different. We shall see.

esquire · #**9849** Posted **May 27, 2016, 2:14 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bomberjet

Re-clad of 330 St. Mary to start at beginning of June. Not sure what if it's just a straight up replacement or if it's going to look any different. We shall see.

Cool. The building has aged not too badly, but it still has a certain 80s style. I'd be surprised if they didn't give it at least a little makeover to entice prospective tenants with a modern looking building.

Biff · #**9850** Posted **May 27, 2016, 3:53 PM**

I hope, if anything they keep the angled mirrored glass by the entrance. It is such a cool feature to look up and see yourself.

esquire · #**9851** Posted **May 27, 2016, 3:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biff

I hope, if anything they keep the angled mirrored glass by the entrance. It is such a cool feature to look up and see yourself.

Agreed.

That glass makes a cameo in this classic 80s commercial

• Video Link

bomberjet · #**9852** Posted **May 27, 2016, 4:13 PM**

Said glass also makes an appearance at #2 on the below list. I'm assuming the building shape will stay as is. Would be a lot of work to get rid of the slanty bit.

http://news.buzzbuzzhome.com/2016/05/13-...ium=cpc&utm_campaign=Winnipeg+in+the+80s

buzzg · #**9853** Posted **May 27, 2016, 9:10 PM**

I wonder if something is wrong with the current exterior... I really like the look of it and think it still looks good, and appears to be in good shape.

biguc · #**9854** Posted **May 27, 2016, 10:25 PM**

I did some work inside there recently and didn't see any problems with the units but the glass is old. Its reflective coating is coming off on the spandrel portions. They can probably get much better energy efficiency with new units, and better rents with a building that doesn't look shabby.

esquire · #**9855** Posted **May 30, 2016, 6:53 PM**

Murray McNeil reports that Timbercreek has purchased Colony Square and will be giving it a full makeover including recladding and interior renovations, much the same way that it did with 33 Hargrave and 260 Smith St (former Sheraton Hotel).

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/top-to-bottom-renos-for-complex-381274981.html

This is good news for downtown, as Colony Square is looking kind of shabby these days. And it's in a fairly prominent location on the western edge of downtown, so a little freshening up will help to improve downtown's image.

pegcityfan · #**9856** Posted **May 30, 2016, 7:19 PM**

Backside of the RBC building (facing south) is all covered in white plastic now. Guess they are starting on the podium refresh. Although I seem to remember that side was just brown corrugated panels.

Wish Winnipeg Square would get rid of the ugly brown exterior and dated blue entrance signage.

bomberjet · #**9857** Posted **May 30, 2016, 7:48 PM**

^^Some folks were lamenting the Hargrave renovations as blah. I don't mind it. Might be a bit much with all the square pattern. But I don't mind. Those big, orange Colony towers are dated.

^And yes, hopefully the Winnipeg Square brown disappears with the new tower. The renders were preliminary and didn't really provide much on the Square.

esquire · #**9858** Posted **May 30, 2016, 7:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bomberjet

^^Some folks were lamenting the Hargrave renovations as blah. I don't mind it. Might be a bit much with all the square pattern. But I don't mind. Those big, orange Colony towers are dated.

I agree, the Hargrave/Smith St. tower renos may not have been the greatest ever, but at least they made the buildings look reasonably modern. Colony Square has kind of a yucky brown look that I don't think anyone will miss:

Source: cbc.ca

The Portage Ave side is a little more respectable, but still way too brown:

Source:collierscanada.com

Cyro · #**9859** Posted **May 30, 2016, 8:19 PM**

^ thx for the info/images. Never been enamored with the look of this complex. They mention a 1 year time span for the completion of the exterior, starting almost immediately, paint and cladding. Curious to see how it unfolds. Balconies, longer term, probably glass, as most older buildings of this type, see Grant Ave..etc are going.

esquire · #**9860** Posted **May 30, 2016, 8:21 PM**

By the way, still no word on who is going to be filling the floors in the G3 building on Main... how has this not hit the papers yet?!