Winnipeg | The Forks Market | Railside at The Forks

[cllew]

Originally Posted by Labroco

🤔 Is this an Alston development designed by 586?

Im still trying to decide how to deal with the parking ceiling soffit and floor of first unit to ensure there is no thermal transfer...

Probably the same construction as the "flying saucer" apartments on McDonald Ave as its parking is under the unit too.

[Labroco]

Originally Posted by Wpg_Guy

Design by https://www.atlrg.ca/

Well that’s a new design firm not on my radar... some interesting solutions as well.

Maybe they have an idea for the Waterfront North pop up Arts & Letters Bocci Ball Clubhouse and pitch contemplated at George & Duncan?

Just to appease everyone’s concern about the demolished biker gang’s 5000ft2 site becoming a parking lot, I was contemplating a Charrette with a prize of air and hotel to Toronto / Niagara for a weekend wine tasting when things get back covid free.

Just for something fun and positive to look forward to...

Little things can lead to little changes...

[T'Cona]

In terms of what I would argue this development deserves, a few examples:

http://www.321davenport.com/

Perhaps a slightly shorter version of this:

https://imperiacondos.com/en/

https://www.tridel.com/mrkt/

[Wpgstvsouth94]

100 percent agree the stuff proposed is just cheap and ugly. It’s time we start building quality construction downtown to pull us into a world class city.

[wags_in_the_peg]

Originally Posted by T'Cona

In terms of what I would argue this development deserves, a few examples:

http://www.321davenport.com/

Perhaps a slightly shorter version of this:

https://imperiacondos.com/en/

https://www.tridel.com/mrkt/

All great designs pal, however those types of buildings come in a very high cost, and I believe the idea of the Forks community used to be a mixture of all income types all age types. A bunch of $600,000 condos will have many people up in the arms

[Hecate]

This is going to end up being the biggest bait and switch competition in Winnipeg’s history, you can already see the downgrading of designs coming out for this mediocre plan. I’d like to know who’s behind the scenes and benefiting from this. The only way the initial design renderings will work is by selling 400-500 square foot condos, for $500,000. developers want to make their money. They’ll all promise the world, and we’ll get all the pizazz of living next to an ikea parking lot.

[T'Cona]

Originally Posted by wags_in_the_peg

All great designs pal, however those types of buildings come in a very high cost, and I believe the idea of the Forks community used to be a mixture of all income types all age types. A bunch of $600,000 condos will have many people up in the arms

There could be affordable housing too. West Broadway Commons is an exceptional development, and I could see something akin to that being developed at the Forks too.

[GreyGarden]

I personally wouldn't have a problem with the units for these buildings being on the more expensive end. The best location warrants the highest price imo. And I agree, for such an important site, I want the materials and the designs to be top notch. I'll be pissed if we got cheap siding and tiny windows. Better materials and design typically result in higher prices and I'm okay with that.

Good point about West Broadway Commons, affordable housing can definitely still be part of the plan and can be executed really well.

[pspeid]

Originally Posted by Hecate

This is going to end up being the biggest bait and switch competition in Winnipeg’s history, you can already see the downgrading of designs coming out for this mediocre plan. I’d like to know who’s behind the scenes and benefiting from this. The only way the initial design renderings will work is by selling 400-500 square foot condos, for $500,000. developers want to make their money. They’ll all promise the world, and we’ll get all the pizazz of living next to an ikea parking lot.

I get the mistrust of many developers (it's well deserved in a number of cases, IMO), but I don't buy this doom & gloom scenario for The Forks. They have been a slow & steady developer for decades now. One may not entirely like the choices they have made, but IMO they have never rushed into a development just for the sake of having a building (if that were so, there wold be a waterpark/hotel next to the CMHR right now). I'm looking forward to seeing what the final designs look like.

[esquire]

^ Yeah, FNP has earned the benefit of the doubt here. I can understand the concerns, but we should remember that they have generally had a pretty reliable approach to developing The Forks site.

[T'Cona]

Originally Posted by GreyGarden

I personally wouldn't have a problem with the units for these buildings being on the more expensive end. The best location warrants the highest price imo. And I agree, for such an important site, I want the materials and the designs to be top notch. I'll be pissed if we got cheap siding and tiny windows. Better materials and design typically result in higher prices and I'm okay with that.

Good point about West Broadway Commons, affordable housing can definitely still be part of the plan and can be executed really well.

Agreed. We most certainly want residents with financial means living downtown.

[scryer]

Originally Posted by wags_in_the_peg

All great designs pal, however those types of buildings come in a very high cost, and I believe the idea of the Forks community used to be a mixture of all income types all age types. A bunch of $600,000 condos will have many people up in the arms

The city can always designate a certain percentage of the land being rental only though. Prices for places in The Forks is going to command a MUCH higher price no matter what.

My Forks parcel wishlist:

For me, I would actually like the architectural style faux heritage in The Forks. Like what Chilliwack, BC is doing with their downtown:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLkizgYeDoI

The only thing that I would change for The Forks is that I would make the buildings 6-12 floor midrises. And I would also blend it with some first-nations contemporary architecture as well.

I would then implement them as mixed use buildings: retail at ground level, and a rental/condo/office mix in the higher levels. Lastly I would phase this SOB in for each parking lot parcel and there we are!

[T'Cona]

That looks very charming. I would certainly embrace that for Ellice, Sherbrook, and definitely William, linking the HSC campus with downtown.

[sleepyeyed]

1x1 Architecture has two proposals for Railside with Alston Properties

Site 04 - 36 units, 3 CRU's




https://www.1x1architecture.ca/Railside-Site-04

Site 07 - 23 units, 2 CRU's




https://www.1x1architecture.ca/Railside-Site-07

[biguc]

Those are pretty nice! Does anyone have a map of the Railside "sites" these refer to?

[TRiToNDREyJA]

Originally Posted by biguc

Those are pretty nice! Does anyone have a map of the Railside "sites" these refer to?

This is the best we've got rn.

[T'Cona]

Hell yes!

[GarryEllice]

Originally Posted by TRiToNDREyJA

This is the best we've got rn.

The buildings look great, but I'm still highly skeptical of the layout. Why couldn't we just get a pedestrian street running north-south through the middle of the site, rather than this maze of courtyards and blind corners?

Can anyone point me to a successful example of an urban neighbourhood in North America with a form like this? The absence of an actual street makes me think of failed mid-century housing projects like Regent Park or St. James Town in Toronto.

[T'Cona]

My concern too. I want a narrow street running through with as many buildings packed together as possible.

[TRiToNDREyJA]

Good points. I'm thinking though maybe since they plan for many CRU's, and it's right by the forks while not being more than 2 buildings deep from the street it could be fine.

EDIT: After looking at the comps mentioned, I don't think they're great ones. If this project as planned ends up having issues, they won't be the same ones as those other neighborhoods. None of these will be highrise & it's planned as a habitable extension of the forks. The buildings aren't massive enough, the sites aren't isolated enough.

Notice the limited parking too... Looks great for the modern young person.