Winnipeg Construction IX - Page 505

Wpg_Guy · #**10081** Posted **Jun 12, 2019, 9:37 PM**

I’m more curious as to who will be occupying this new development, with 5 floors still empty in Scotia Bank tower at TNS and 4 office floors still for lease in 225 Carlton it’s hard to imagine a developer building a new build without a tenant occupying the entire building.

EspionNoir · #**10082** Posted **Jun 12, 2019, 9:42 PM**

Btw I see that the current thread has reached 10k post

buzzg · #**10083** Posted **Jun 12, 2019, 9:42 PM**

It's definitely not Skip.

Had some interesting conversations this week with people in leasing and some development agencies here. Spoke about how the glut of empty space in Calgary is becoming a problem in other markets, as landlords are offering crazy discounts to (re)locate there.

While it may not be the best from a developer's perspective, from a city building perspective it seems like it'd be good to build out available space more and inflate vacancy a bit, to keep prices here really competitive. For companies that own a lot of space, could be almost a defensive move to ensure some of their existing tenants to don't relocate to Calgary.

DowntownBooster · #**10084** Posted **Jun 12, 2019, 10:04 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by esquire

Considering that some were suggesting TNS was the last new office building we'd see going up downtown for a long time, there is the potential for a lot of activity... Skip the Dishes alone could be massive, then you add this rumored new project to the pile, it certainly speaks to there being some level of demand.

That's not to say the city is booming, just that there may be need for particular types of buildings that don't exist, like one capable of holding thousands of employees in the case of Skip the Dishes. It will be interesting to see which niche this other new building is going to fill.

It's a shame that we couldn't attract some companies to move their back offices from Toronto to Winnipeg. I can see the bigwigs wanting to be there for status reasons but for the general office staff that have to spend hours travelling to and from work, the convenience for them in Winnipeg would be ideal. Instead of spending so much time in traffic in Toronto they can actually spend some extra time enjoying life here as well as less expensive housing as a bonus.

buzzg · #**10085** Posted **Jun 12, 2019, 10:08 PM**

A lot of companies that moved to suburbs of Toronto are now moving back downtown (ex: Microsoft) to improve the quality of life and retention for their staff, who often do live in Toronto. Costs are higher but staff are generally much happier, and it helps to recruit the best young talent who generally want to live in the city, whether downtown or not.

Biff · #**10086** Posted **Jun 12, 2019, 10:11 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wpg_Guy

I’m more curious as to who will be occupying this new development, with 5 floors still empty in Scotia Bank tower at TNS and 4 office floors still for lease in 225 Carlton it’s hard to imagine a developer building a new build without a tenant occupying the entire building.

One firm

ywgwalk · #**10087** Posted **Jun 12, 2019, 10:16 PM**

Gotta be Wawanesa at this point, no? They are currently stretched across at least three buildings, and we've heard some rumours before. What would other possibilities be?

Wpg_Guy · #**10088** Posted **Jun 12, 2019, 10:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ywgwalk

Gotta be Wawanesa at this point, no? They are currently stretched across at least three buildings, and we've heard some rumours before. What would other possibilities be?

Well there you go here’s your answer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Da Vinci

Up to the hulls book store site. True North is building another tower for wawanesa.

Nice to see the True North site expanding, hopefully we will get something architecturally stimulating.

Another loss for Broadway, although Wawanesa’s existing building would be ripe for residential conversion.

BAKGUY · #**10089** Posted **Jun 12, 2019, 10:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ywgwalk

Gotta be Wawanesa at this point, no? They are currently stretched across at least three buildings, and we've heard some rumours before. What would other possibilities be?

If it is not Wawanessa, not Skip, and someone else... then we could see 3 office type of developments in the near future. If Wawanessa, then 2 for sure.
With it being rumored to be near TNS, tomorrow after 10 should prove interesting. Eventually another hotel or 2 downtown plus a couple more residential towers. The abandoned SkyCity hopefully gets something somewhat significant built there even if less height than we ere hoping for. Anything over 30 would be welcome.

cllew · #**10090** Posted **Jun 12, 2019, 10:32 PM**

CJOB was saying Wawanessa when I was stuck in traffic at 430

Biff · #**10091** Posted **Jun 12, 2019, 10:51 PM**

The SkyCity site will be tied up for years. Currently the courts are working through about $30 million in investor/mortgage funds relating to that site.

Wpg_Guy · #**10092** Posted **Jun 12, 2019, 11:19 PM**

CJOB audio vault June 12 4:22PM Richard Cloutier says new head office for Wawanesa Insurance at the Hulls Book site.

https://globalnews.ca/pages/audio-vault-cjob/

I hope the RWB resistance stays and the new building is built around it.

esquire · #**10093** Posted **Jun 13, 2019, 1:29 AM**

Wawanesa didn't occur to me since I had figured they'd just expand on Broadway, but a new single tenant tower with some room to grow makes perfect sense.

I too will be curious to find out what this means for the RWB residence. They will probably be cashing in from this development, but where will they put their students? On one hand I could see them finding a building for a new residence or colocating with Wawanesa, but on the other hand I wonder if there's pressure to move the residence? That area is arguably less inviting to teenage students than it was 25-30 years ago when the residence was built, although I suppose it may be better once TNS is built out.

Also, having Wawanesa occupy a (rumored) 22 storey tower makes one daydream about how tall a tower GWL/Canada Life could build if they ever decided to centralize their operations into one tower

Wpg_Guy · #**10094** Posted **Jun 13, 2019, 1:38 AM**

RWB could rent space in the medical arts building for it’s students...

buzzg · #**10095** Posted **Jun 13, 2019, 1:44 AM**

I would argue that area is the best and safest it’s been in decades. There’s actually people around there now aside from homeless people, and there’s more and more people moving in. It used to be surrounded by a parking wasteland and a seedy hotel.

If you look at Hull’s on streetview, there’s actually a bunch of construction railings on the roof... anyone know how long they’ve been there?

Side note - it’s funny that the satellite view on maps still doesn’t have a trace of TNS on it.

Wpg_Guy · #**10096** Posted **Jun 13, 2019, 2:12 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by buzzg

I would argue that area is the best and safest it’s been in decades. There’s actually people around there now aside from homeless people, and there’s more and more people moving in. It used to be surrounded by a parking wasteland and a seedy hotel.

If you look at Hull’s on streetview, there’s actually a bunch of construction railings on the roof... anyone know how long they’ve been there?

Side note - it’s funny that the satellite view on maps still doesn’t have a trace of TNS on it.

Viewing the site from google street view/satellite the RWB residence looks to be for sure a goner.