Winnipeg Construction X

[Wigglez]

Originally Posted by Biff

You can do whatever you want. My point was within reason, what a developer would really do. Surface lots make the most sense followed by low rise buildings. Even if you wanted the new tallest on the Bell/MTS site, no developer would tear down the existing tower.

...come on man, this is real life here!

Ok Mr Biff, director of the board of fantasy SSP proposals! I present to you for your approval:

I would like to purchase the McKim building on Main (former Crocus building - with Across The Board in it), the small 2 story building attached to it, the weird sorta parkade thing, and the smoke's poutinerie building.

I would like to tear down the small 2 story building, the parkade, and smoke's poutinerie building. Leaving the McKim building intact.

I would like to use the McKim building as the south side of a podium that matches its height - this would take up the remaining space from the 3 demolished items, giving us a 6 story podium on the entire property.

On top of this podium I would like to place Winnipeg's tallest building - leaving space on the south for the original McKim building, and space on the north to not crowd the lovely pedestrian lane.

[peg]

^^ I've always especially hated that parkade, please tear it down!

[H2man]

Hey guys. Long time lurker, first time poster.

I was intrigued by the question, and it prompted me to register just to respond.

I would absolutely loved to build Winnipeg's new tallest using the Curry building as the podium, and backing right up and merging into the Lindsay Building at the rear.

Both buildings are so gorgeous; however, that footprint right near P&M is just too large for a 1-2 story building. We can do better but still maintain the historical and stylistic features.

Just my take. This is fun!

[esquire]

^ I'd be happy if the remaining 6 or so storeys initially contemplated for the Curry Building were realized...

Welcome to the forum!

[Boreal]

At this rate, I'd settle for a curry joint inside the Curry building. My expectations are low. It would be tremendous to have something substantial on that podium though! If Portage Place redevelopment happens, my belief for the Curry building would increase measurably.

[esquire]

Curry Building expansion would be the ultimate delayed phase II Winnipeg project.

[Biff]

Just for interest sake, in the Canada section some forumers have little fantasy competitions for building development. On the first page they did the triangle parking lot at Notre Dame and Ellice and the Burt for redevelopment. I have to say, there are some pretty talented people on this forum. The other thing to remember is that these people aren't from Winnipeg so they don't know the context of the area well, but I thought they were fun.

http://skyscraperpage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=242619

[Biff]

...oh yeah, when some interesting development news comes along we will revert back to our regular construction programming. For the time being though I thought this could at least spark some conversation.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by Biff

Just for interest sake, in the Canada section some forumers have little fantasy competitions for building development. On the first page they did the triangle parking lot at Notre Dame and Ellice and the Burt for redevelopment. I have to say, there are some pretty talented people on this forum. The other thing to remember is that these people aren't from Winnipeg so they don't know the context of the area well, but I thought they were fun.

http://skyscraperpage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=242619

I enjoyed that particular design competition. That space has the potential to become something really special someday.

[CoryB]

Originally Posted by Biff

Just for interest sake, in the Canada section some forumers have little fantasy competitions for building development. On the first page they did the triangle parking lot at Notre Dame and Ellice and the Burt for redevelopment.

It still surprises me that The Burt is a fairly busy venue and there has been zero movement to replace the car rental location with a larger lobby, better back stage amenities and perhaps even a full service restaurant. Sort of a mirror of the Pantages addition. Being able to better sell drinks, merchandise, etc to people attending events there is an easy way to generate more revenue and better back stage amenities makes it more appealing to performers.

[drew]

Originally Posted by CoryB

It still surprises me that The Burt is a fairly busy venue and there has been zero movement to replace the car rental location with a larger lobby, better back stage amenities and perhaps even a full service restaurant. Sort of a mirror of the Pantages addition. Being able to better sell drinks, merchandise, etc to people attending events there is an easy way to generate more revenue and better back stage amenities makes it more appealing to performers.

IIRC there has been a bit of tire kicking on that type of expansion for the Walker - but nothing has panned out yet.

Similar to the Curry Building vertical expansion. Tire kicking, but nothing so far (I think the Curry building going vertical is just a matter of time).

[esquire]

Maybe about 10-12 years ago there were renderings released for a planned lobby expansion at the Walker/Burt - the plan was to basically fill in the grass area to the south of the lobby with an expanded space. Obviously it never went anywhere. It would have been nice considering the lack of such space there.

Filling in the car rental location would be a much bigger and more ambitious project, but it would also change the game in terms of what the Burt can take on when it comes to events.

[drew]

That Enterprise is my go-to for work related car-rentals. For those of us working/living downtown, it is a very convenient location.

[bomberjet]

I use Avis on York Ave. Pretty handy location.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by drew

That Enterprise is my go-to for work related car-rentals. For those of us working/living downtown, it is a very convenient location.

I'm sure it would just move somewhere else nearby if the lot was developed... there are several rental agencies scattered throughout downtown, I wouldn't expect Enterprise to surrender the area completely if something happened with that site.

[ywgwalk]

Originally Posted by drew

That Enterprise is my go-to for work related car-rentals. For those of us working/living downtown, it is a very convenient location.

Indeed, I was there quite regularly until Peg City Car Co-op offered improved pricing on longer term (i.e. whole weekend) bookings.

[bomberjet]

Not sure if it was mentioned.

The pedestrian bridge over Assiniboine river was selected to be a cable stayed bridge.

https://winnipeg.ca/publicworks/pedestri...WalkBikeBridge.stm#tab-recommendedbridge

[esquire]

^ Very nice. That will be a great addition to the area... it will enhance the walkability of the neighbourhoods on either side of the bridge.

[rivercity]

Is there any plan in place for funding? Does that Winnipeg Foundation donation still exist? I agree it would make a great addition, but I can't help but think of a bunch of other places where pedestrian bridge infrastructure is underutilized and where the funding for this bridge could be used and make a way bigger difference. A couple places that come to mind are between Crescent Drive and St. Vital parks, Riverview and Norwood Flats, Scotia St. and Kildonan Drive... granted these are all over the Red and would be more expensive given the longer spans that would be required...

[CoryB]

Re The Burt lobby expansion. What if the west side of the Enterprise location lot included a small customer service office with a few spots to park vehicles and they could then be a satellite office of something like the airport location. The current location feels excessively large, especially with the Smith St parkade across the street and the triangle lot on the north end of the same block.