Western Expresso

[BuildUpWpg]

Activity at the St James Hotel this morning after many month of nothing happening. The signage was being taken down from the building. I'm wondering if it's not going reopen after all?

[BuildUpWpg]

For those of you that like the curved walls of Tower 1 of TNS, check Telus Sky under construction in Calgary. I took these pics when I was there 2 weeks ago.

[Jets4Life]

It's amazing in terms of contrast, walking in Downtown Calgary is to walking in Downtown Winnipeg. Calgary's downtown is far more vibrant, and filled with people at all hours. Well maybe it's filled with undesirables between 12 and 5 AM, but still, it is quite impressive. You do not even notice new buildings going up. After the Bow was competed, every thing else seemed like an afterthought.

The new tallest building in Calgary is bland, and I barely even notice it. Even the new Telus Sky tower isn't very noticeable. Compare that with TNS in Winnipeg, which is much smaller in height, but looks like it will play a major part of the skyline of Winnipeg. I do not mind it. Winnipeg is what it is. If more people came to live in Downtown, it could really give the city a shot in the arm, and encourage more development.

I still wish there was some kind of grocery store within the downtown area. A Sobey's would be great for the area.

[windypeg]

Originally Posted by Jets4Life

It's amazing in terms of contrast, walking in Downtown Calgary is to walking in Downtown Winnipeg. Calgary's downtown is far more vibrant, and filled with people at all hours. Well maybe it's filled with undesirables between 12 and 5 AM, but still, it is quite impressive. You do not even notice new buildings going up. After the Bow was competed, every thing else seemed like an afterthought.

The new tallest building in Calgary is bland, and I barely even notice it. Even the new Telus Sky tower isn't very noticeable. Compare that with TNS in Winnipeg, which is much smaller in height, but looks like it will play a major part of the skyline of Winnipeg. I do not mind it. Winnipeg is what it is. If more people came to live in Downtown, it could really give the city a shot in the arm, and encourage more development.

I still wish there was some kind of grocery store within the downtown area. A Sobey's would be great for the area.

Calgary has an absolutely insane amount of downtown office vacancy right now, over 25%. It will be interesting to see how things play out with the market still being pretty weak and these huge new towers coming online.

[BuildUpWpg]

Originally Posted by Jets4Life

It's amazing in terms of contrast, walking in Downtown Calgary is to walking in Downtown Winnipeg. Calgary's downtown is far more vibrant, and filled with people at all hours. Well maybe it's filled with undesirables between 12 and 5 AM, but still, it is quite impressive. You do not even notice new buildings going up. After the Bow was competed, every thing else seemed like an afterthought.

The new tallest building in Calgary is bland, and I barely even notice it. Even the new Telus Sky tower isn't very noticeable. Compare that with TNS in Winnipeg, which is much smaller in height, but looks like it will play a major part of the skyline of Winnipeg. I do not mind it. Winnipeg is what it is. If more people came to live in Downtown, it could really give the city a shot in the arm, and encourage more development.

I still wish there was some kind of grocery store within the downtown area. A Sobey's would be great for the area.

Oh Telus Sky is VERY noticeable! Another thing noticeable in downtown Calgary is the large number of high end restaurants. We have Hy's and that's pretty much it?

[esquire]

Originally Posted by BuildUpWpg

Oh Telus Sky is VERY noticeable! Another thing noticeable in downtown Calgary is the large number of high end restaurants. We have Hy's and that's pretty much it?

Seemingly every place in downtown Winnipeg holds Earls up as the model these days. It's all about casual dining with beers in the lounge. Even places that were once all about fine dining have turned their backs on the concept, as this recent interview with the Velvet Glove's executive chef illustrates.

[pegcityboy]

I would say there is Hys , Velvet Glove and Hermanos but point taken , Dubrovnik and Amici were lost and never replaced restaurant wise

[esquire]

^ Losing Dubrovnik was a huge blow to the local culinary scene. That place was legit old school fine dining. So was Sydney's.

[Tacheguy]

Originally Posted by esquire

^ Losing Dubrovnik was a huge blow to the local culinary scene. That place was legit old school fine dining. So was Sydney's.

The Palm Room? Haven't been there in ages..

[esquire]

Originally Posted by Tacheguy

The Palm Room? Haven't been there in ages..

Palm Room is a lounge that serves some light meals, definitely not fine dining even if the environment is classy.

Now that you mention it, it's funny that the Fort Garry's current owners have never reopened the hotel's restaurant.

[Tacheguy]

Originally Posted by esquire

Palm Room is a lounge that serves some light meals, definitely not fine dining even if the environment is classy.

Now that you mention it, it's funny that the Fort Garry's current owners have never reopened the hotel's restaurant.

Used to be Amici's and Victor's as well. Is the Carne fine dining?

[Curmudgeon]

I find Winnipeg considerably more interesting than Calgary and I also think the overall food scene is more varied and "happening" in Winnipeg, whatever the quantity of "high-end" restaurants in the downtown core.

The Michelin Guide to Canada gives Calgary two stars (recommended), Winnipeg gets three (highly recommended).

I've never understood why many Winnipeggers wish to emulate giant suburbs. Inspiration is better gained by looking south or overseas.

[Pavlov]

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

I find Winnipeg considerably more interesting than Calgary and I also think the overall food scene is more varied and "happening" in Winnipeg, whatever the quantity of "high-end" restaurants in the downtown core.

The Michelin Guide to Canada gives Calgary two stars (recommended), Winnipeg gets three (highly recommended).

I've never understood why many Winnipeggers wish to emulate giant suburbs. Inspiration is better gained by looking south or overseas.

Just FYI: the Michelin Travel Guide has nothing to do with restaurants or food scene. It is a travel website that rates travel attractions.

By no means definitive, but this (I think fairly well regarded) list of Canada's best 100 restaurants (2018) lists 2 Winnipeg restaurants and 12 Calgary restaurants. Not too bad for a giant suburb. Anyway, just some food for thought (pardon the pun).

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

I find Winnipeg considerably more interesting than Calgary and I also think the overall food scene is more varied and "happening" in Winnipeg, whatever the quantity of "high-end" restaurants in the downtown core.

The Michelin Guide to Canada gives Calgary two stars (recommended), Winnipeg gets three (highly recommended).

I've never understood why many Winnipeggers wish to emulate giant suburbs. Inspiration is better gained by looking south or overseas.

I really like this post

[Glenn99]

Originally Posted by BuildUpWpg

Oh Telus Sky is VERY noticeable! Another thing noticeable in downtown Calgary is the large number of high end restaurants. We have Hy's and that's pretty much it?

Hermano's, Carne?

[Wpg_Guy]

Winnipeg needs many more buildings lit up like this, downtown lighting strategy should be looked at again from a few years ago.


@erinriediger: I love how this building on the bend at River/Wellington is lit up in the evening. This is an example of good winter city design for #walkability It pops even more in the winter and creates visual interest while walking. #winnipeg #multimodalcity #walkablecity #citiesforpeople

[buzzg]

Originally Posted by Wpg_Guy

Winnipeg needs many more buildings lit up like this, downtown lighting strategy should be looked at again from a few years ago.

Completely agree and have said this numerous times. I'd go so far as to argue downtown might need regulations on some lighting. For example as great as it is that BMO at P&M upgraded their lighting it is so absurdly bright it's almost blinding, and does no favours for the architecture as it's so white. Same goes for Humphry Inn – good they upgraded but they just used insanely bright flood lights that not only make the building look bad, but the angle shines right at pedestrians, it's awful.

I really hate how everyone (including Hydro) is going with insanely bright blue-white LED lighting. Street and sidewalk lighting needs to be a little softer – the new white street lights are horrible in the rain, makes it hard to see the road and reflects light into your eyes too much. A few other cities actually stopped installing the lights we use now in favour of softer ones with less lumens as it has proven to be a public health and safety issue, even affecting people's sleep.

Nervous for what they decide to replace the Exchange globe lights, and Portage/Main lights with.

[Wpg_Guy]

Originally Posted by buzzg

Completely agree and have said this numerous times. I'd go so far as to argue downtown might need regulations on some lighting. For example as great as it is that BMO at P&M upgraded their lighting it is so absurdly bright it's almost blinding, and does no favours for the architecture as it's so white. Same goes for Humphry Inn – good they upgraded but they just used insanely bright flood lights that not only make the building look bad, but the angle shines right at pedestrians, it's awful.

I really hate how everyone (including Hydro) is going with insanely bright blue-white LED lighting. Street and sidewalk lighting needs to be a little softer – the new white street lights are horrible in the rain, makes it hard to see the road and reflects light into your eyes too much. A few other cities actually stopped installing the lights we use now in favour of softer ones with less lumens as it has proven to be a public health and safety issue, even affecting people's sleep.

Nervous for what they decide to replace the Exchange globe lights, and Portage/Main lights with.

The white street lights are horrendous, my neighbourhood just got them, just terrible.

[optimusREIM]

Originally Posted by Wpg_Guy

The white street lights are horrendous, my neighbourhood just got them, just terrible.

Yeah they'd be better if they had a slight yellow tinge

[buzzg]

Originally Posted by Wpg_Guy

The white street lights are horrendous, my neighbourhood just got them, just terrible.

Originally Posted by optimusREIM

Yeah they'd be better if they had a slight yellow tinge

Yup, they're so bright that it actually hurts to look at, and can be dangerous on the road. They are also so directional that they don't light up as much of the street, and the light barely reaches the sidewalks – especially on streets with lots of trees.

I believe it was Montreal and Vancouver that started using the same ones then stopped and replaced them due to health concerns – our government obviously doesn't care.