Winnipeg | Exchange District | Developments & Discussions - Page 166

cllew · #**3301** Posted **Jul 4, 2018, 9:02 PM**

Pantages sale signs went up shortly after I posted on here that it was for sale on the City Tender site, so that would be around June 9/10

wardlow · #**3302** Posted **Jul 5, 2018, 3:18 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by drew

Those lots are really small though..?

The small lot to the east (at the corner of Rorie and Bannatyne) has a dept of only 50' or so. Not that a boutique-y developer couldn't find a way to make something work (think of the proposals for the triangle lot at Albert and Arthur).

I think the bigger obstacle to redevelopment is who owns it: the Reiss family.

esquire · #**3303** Posted **Jul 5, 2018, 3:20 PM**

^ It is annoying that so many key downtown properties are in the hands of a few families so resolutely intent on not doing anything with them.

trueviking · #**3304** Posted **Jul 5, 2018, 4:20 PM**

oh that sucks.

drew · #**3305** Posted **Jul 5, 2018, 5:32 PM**

Maybe someone with some connections at the Free Press could drop a hint on some good ol' fashioned reporting on who owns all these prime development lots and buildings in the Exchange and how they are sitting underused for apparently no good reason...

esquire · #**3306** Posted **Jul 5, 2018, 6:15 PM**

^ I don't think it would make much of a story, though... "local guy owns surface parking lot, refuses to develop". It's totally their right to do so, it's just frustrating that they do it.

I'd just like to know what their game plan is... is it basically hand the property down to the grandchildren hoping that they'll be the ones to make a fortune if our land values ever follow Vancouver's curve? At least the surface lots like the ones on Bannatyne generate some income, but some of the properties (Werier held ones in particular) are just empty without any kind of income stream.

drew · #**3307** Posted **Jul 5, 2018, 6:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by esquire

^ I don't think it would make much of a story, though... "local guy owns surface parking lot, refuses to develop". It's totally their right to do so, it's just frustrating that they do it.

I'd just like to know what their game plan is... is it basically hand the property down to the grandchildren hoping that they'll be the ones to make a fortune if our land values ever follow Vancouver's curve? At least the surface lots like the ones on Bannatyne generate some income, but some of the properties (Werier held ones in particular) are just empty without any kind of income stream.

I think there is a story there, especially given the prominence of some of these family names. Obviously it would be than just land staying undeveloped. More of a what is holding back the Exchange from more development, or reaching the level of development/prominence that would be expected elsewhere. You could also tie it into the stopping of government development subsidies and incentives.

Maybe get Doug Spiers to forgo his dailies for some serious work.

ywgwalk · #**3308** Posted **Jul 6, 2018, 12:14 AM**

For Sale sign put up at the Pacific and Waterfront corner of the Great West Metal site.

Biff · #**3309** Posted **Jul 6, 2018, 1:30 PM**

Announcement for the CentreVenture site on Waterfront and Galt anticipated Jul 19th, 2018.

esquire · #**3310** Posted **Jul 6, 2018, 1:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ywgwalk

For Sale sign put up at the Pacific and Waterfront corner of the Great West Metal site.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biff

Announcement for the CentreVenture site on Waterfront and Galt anticipated Jul 19th, 2018.

Depending on what these lead to, we could end up with a vastly improved Waterfront Drive. As it stands, things haven't changed all that much since the initial wave of projects that went up between McDermot and Pacific a decade ago... (stuff at the northern end like Youcube and the saucer are practically standalones, they aren't really integrated into the Waterfront streetscape). Good developments here would really help to tie the northern parts of the East Exchange with the parts that are already humming along. Fingers crossed.

ywgwalk · #**3311** Posted **Jul 6, 2018, 2:11 PM**

Hopefully whatever is built continues the nice street edge that Sky couldn't completely do because of buried Hydro lines (and that H2O doesn't do because it was built to Transcona suburb apartment standards).

bomberjet · #**3312** Posted **Jul 6, 2018, 2:16 PM**

I was just going to comment on Sky and how that corner is wide wide open..

ywgwalk · #**3313** Posted **Jul 6, 2018, 2:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bomberjet

I was just going to comment on Sky and how that corner is wide wide open..

I think all the trees will make up for it a bit, eventually - especially if the city adds more trees to Pacific when it gets done.

esquire · #**3314** Posted **Jul 6, 2018, 2:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ywgwalk

Hopefully whatever is built continues the nice street edge that Sky couldn't completely do because of buried Hydro lines (and that H2O doesn't do because it was built to Transcona suburb apartment standards).

Would the hydro lines even be an issue with respect to the GW Metal building? I mean, the existing building on that site is already built right up to the sidewalks....

trueviking · #**3315** Posted **Jul 6, 2018, 3:01 PM**

that's a bit of a shame...I liked the fact that someone was making metal Oscar the grouch garbage cans in the exchange district...but I kind of get why they might be moving or shutting down.....not a huge market for that and it is valuable land.

ywgwalk · #**3316** Posted **Jul 6, 2018, 3:03 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by esquire

Would the hydro lines even be an issue with respect to the GW Metal building? I mean, the existing building on that site is already built right up to the sidewalks....

The lines go east/west below the Sky surface parking lot, it's the reason the lot exists. Would not have an impact to the GW building lot.

Andy6 · #**3317** Posted **Jul 6, 2018, 4:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by trueviking

that's a bit of a shame...I liked the fact that someone was making metal Oscar the grouch garbage cans in the exchange district...but I kind of get why they might be moving or shutting down.....not a huge market for that and it is valuable land.

Me too ... it’s like it’s some huge triumph that the city doesn’t actually produce anything anymore. I guess an economy can run on people making lattes for each other but it has the feeling of a house of cards.

esquire · #**3318** Posted **Jul 6, 2018, 5:03 PM**

^ The city still produces lots of things, just maybe not quite so much right on the riverbanks.

GlassCity · #**3319** Posted **Jul 6, 2018, 5:38 PM**

My outsider impression is that Winnipeg is still very much an industrial city. New Flyer, CN, and in general industrial parks take up a lot of land in the city. And I think the strength of this sector is a good thing. Winnipeg has a long ways to go before its economy runs on people sending each other money online, and I think that contributes to its affordability and strong middle class.

bomberjet · #**3320** Posted **Jul 6, 2018, 6:33 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy6

Me too ... it’s like it’s some huge triumph that the city doesn’t actually produce anything anymore. I guess an economy can run on people making lattes for each other but it has the feeling of a house of cards.

Seriously?? The City still makes loads of stuff. We're not just buying coffee from sally, and eggs from farmer joe. Also lots of professional services.

Anyways, good to see the exchange moving forward.