Winnipeg | | Downtown | True North Square | U/C

[buzzg]

Originally Posted by esquire

That said, I'd change my tune if a new tower were to be planned for the NE corner of Carlton and St. Mary on the church-owned vacant land. I'd love to see that gap get filled in.

If you're talking about the parking lot, I believe it's getting covered over by part of TNS, like a grass hill/pathway leading up to the skywalk level, with parking remaining under it.

If you're referring to the grass area, I like that part, but I'd like to see the church open up to the public a little more... maybe put a play structure or something there?

I'd love for none of the TNS plans to change and instead build a 10+ storey building on the surface lot on the SW corner of Donald & St. Mary, across from the cityplace loading docks. Then just connect it to 330 St. Mary via Skywalk and it's directly connected to TNS and everything else in the skywalk system.

[CoryB]

I still remain very concerned on the negative impact True North Square is going to have on downtown as originally purposed. We are not talking tenants from the suburbs or other cities that are relocating to True North Square, rather it is mostly companies that already have offices downtown that are relocating. We are already on the edge of a vacancy problem in the low and medium rise buildings with some whole floors sitting empty in existing class A buildings. Pushing extra supply onto a stagnant market is just going to move the chairs around on who as vacancies. This has the makings of a long term issue for downtown Winnipeg. Add in the purposed SkyCity and 300 Main Office space. We really do not need a fifth tower or any additional floors at True North Square.

[jmt18325]

Isn't the class a market at almost 0 vacancy right now?

[bomberjet]

When TDS relocates, they'll leave 4-5 empty floors at 201 Portage IIRC. Aren't there other vacancies in all the P&M towers?

[bomberjet]

Red crane putting yellow crane together as of 4:00pm.

[bomberjet]

Could the mobile crane just be there to setup up the boom for the larger tower crane. As in it's holding it, maneuvering as necessary? I'm not a crane guy, but that seems rather odd and rather large for that mobile crane.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by CoryB

I still remain very concerned on the negative impact True North Square is going to have on downtown as originally purposed. We are not talking tenants from the suburbs or other cities that are relocating to True North Square, rather it is mostly companies that already have offices downtown that are relocating. We are already on the edge of a vacancy problem in the low and medium rise buildings with some whole floors sitting empty in existing class A buildings. Pushing extra supply onto a stagnant market is just going to move the chairs around on who as vacancies. This has the makings of a long term issue for downtown Winnipeg. Add in the purposed SkyCity and 300 Main Office space. We really do not need a fifth tower or any additional floors at True North Square.

What you say makes 100% perfect sense but I'm still just going to plug my ears and shout "skyscrapers skyscrapers skyscrapers" over and over again

[biguc]

Also, it's called competition, and we widely consider it a good thing in a market. Our downtown office market is no exception.

[cllew]

Originally Posted by bomberjet

Could the mobile crane just be there to setup up the boom for the larger tower crane. As in it's holding it, maneuvering as necessary? I'm not a crane guy, but that seems rather odd and rather large for that mobile crane.

Its there to lift the parts into place. Not so much for weight but for the reach height. If they were starting lower they would probably use the two existing crawler cranes to lift it place. Its not worth it to take one of them down to put in extra sections for the day or two the starting erection will take .

I am going to guess that the working boom height of the tower crane will be higher than the top boom of the crawlers as they may still be needed for a bit in the hole.

[scryer]

Originally Posted by biguc

Also, it's called competition, and we widely consider it a good thing in a market. Our downtown office market is no exception.

Agreed.

The older office buildings (especially in downtown) are going to have to change the way they do business just like any other city that loses their major tenants to new buildings. Generally older office buildings attract smaller businesses or businesses that have no where else to go... But part of the problem is that Winnipeg has more and more office parks littered around the suburbs, and with most of the city's population living in the suburbs, it can make the commute to downtown a harder sell for potential tenants.

[Tacheguy]

Originally Posted by biguc

Also, it's called competition, and we widely consider it a good thing in a market. Our downtown office market is no exception.

This. Landlords underinvest in their properties for years and then act put upon when higher quality space hits the market..

[Urban recluse]

Yes, building owners will need to invest in their properties.

Small business needs more help to drive growth. Pallister has vowed to improve the province's ranking vis-a-vis access to venture capital. Growth is what will fill vacancies.

[1ajs]

heres hopeing

what would really help us is better infrastructure roads and access to faster internet in rual and urban areas the wireles isp's are helping but its not enough
and then theres les.net in the exchange need more stuff like that

[OTA in Winnipeg]

Originally Posted by Tacheguy

This. Landlords underinvest in their properties for years and then act put upon when higher quality space hits the market..

Definitely.

[cllew]

Originally Posted by bomberjet

Could the mobile crane just be there to setup up the boom for the larger tower crane. As in it's holding it, maneuvering as necessary? I'm not a crane guy, but that seems rather odd and rather large for that mobile crane.

Just had a chance to look and it is a luffing jib (yes spelled luffing) that is being installed on the new crane

[robertocarlos]

Originally Posted by CoryB

Pushing extra supply onto a stagnant market is just going to move the chairs around on who as vacancies. This has the makings of a long term issue for downtown Winnipeg. Add in the purposed SkyCity and 300 Main Office space. We really do not need a fifth tower or any additional floors at True North Square.

Maybe the old places should lower the rent. Price takes care of all problems.

[TimeFadesAway]

Originally Posted by biguc

Also, it's called competition, and we widely consider it a good thing in a market. Our downtown office market is no exception.

And given that the owner of the oldest Class A tower at P&M is a major partner of TNS, there seems to be support for the idea that while there may be some short-term pain, there is room in the market for TNS.

[factis]

Trucks with tower crane sections are queuing up in the Hargrave loading zone.

[jmt18325]

I don't know, I'm pretty much positive the statistics showed Winnipeg as one of the lowest class A office vacancies in the country. Someone must have those statistics.

[bomberjet]

Tower crane definitely going up now. There was a crane section on a flatbed sitting on St. Mary. Also the mobile crane is up.