Winnipeg | Unbuilt - Page 10

esquire · #**181** Posted **Oct 3, 2021, 5:16 PM**

Amazing post 1ajs, lots of gold in there. I don't think I ever remember seeing the vintage proposal for Main between McDermot and Bannntyne. That would have been a spectacular building to have on Main, not having that one somehow cuts deeper than the various random proposals that never got built.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1ajs

long before rrc was in the picture the city had i think looked at moving its planing department and adding on if i recall

I remember for the longest time the Union Bank Tower's redevelopment proposals seemed almost like the impossible dream. I was so disappointed when this fell through... even a modest development like this was somehow practically unattainable in the Winnipeg of the early 2000s.

NewIreland · #**182** Posted **Oct 3, 2021, 6:09 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1ajs

that parkade n he east exchange the city never built

This is still BADLY needed. Just build the damn thing!!!!

1ajs · #**183** Posted **Oct 3, 2021, 10:34 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by esquire

Amazing post 1ajs, lots of gold in there. I don't think I ever remember seeing the vintage proposal for Main between McDermot and Bannntyne. That would have been a spectacular building to have on Main, not having that one somehow cuts deeper than the various random proposals that never got built.

I remember for the longest time the Union Bank Tower's redevelopment proposals seemed almost like the impossible dream. I was so disappointed when this fell through... even a modest development like this was somehow practically unattainable in the Winnipeg of the early 2000s.

thats just whats sitting in my imageshack still that didnt get deleted befor i started paying a subscription to save whats left of my bike ride through wpg threads. got more on one of my hdd's ive been keeping an archive since 2006

1ajs · #**184** Posted **Oct 3, 2021, 10:38 PM**

o this ones lions manner pritty sure it died from few yrs ago

Sheepish · #**185** Posted **Oct 20, 2021, 3:29 PM**

Good day, (a new participant)
This is an intriguing thread.
Two proposals I have been trying to find...
1) Back in the 70's there was a big proposal for what was at the time referred to as the CN East Yards. Hotel...residential...commercial.
2) On the site that is now the (former) Research building Ellice and Isabel, there was a large development, sort of similar to Lakeview Square.

Maybe one of you good folks could dig these up from the ghosts of developments past.
Much gratitude.

esquire · #**186** Posted **Oct 20, 2021, 3:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sheepish

Good day, (a new participant)
This is an intriguing thread.
Two proposals I have been trying to find...
1) Back in the 70's there was a big proposal for what was at the time referred to as the CN East Yards. Hotel...residential...commercial.
2) On the site that is now the (former) Research building Ellice and Isabel, there was a large development, sort of similar to Lakeview Square.

Maybe one of you good folks could dig these up from the ghosts of developments past.
Much gratitude.

Welcome to the forum!

I'm not familiar with #1 but I posted a rendering of #2 earlier in this thread.

Biff · #**187** Posted **Oct 20, 2021, 5:26 PM**

This...

Quote:

Originally Posted by esquire

Here it is. I wonder what happened to this ambitious proposal?

Sheepish · #**188** Posted **Oct 20, 2021, 8:10 PM**

Thanks for the welcome and response.
Actually there was a different plan from Axworthy days...my guess is it was long after the one in your image was proposed.

The East Yard proposal was very ambitious, built right up to Main St.
I remember seeing it in a publication with other developments (almost all of which BTW were actually completed...including the ICON building, The older MTS which used to be the Bestlands Bldg, the building on Main Converted to apts...to name a few.

The East Yards, and McGregor overpass were exceptions.

Hopefully the ghastly apt proposal where Sky City would have been will also fall into the Unbuilt Thread!

Only The Lonely.. · #**189** Posted **Oct 20, 2021, 8:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biff

This...

I am guessing (wildly) that this could have been a precursor to the Lakeview Square development. Perhaps the current location was their second choice.

Somewhere in that article the developer / proponent is mentioned if anyone has a Free Press Archives account.

I also seem to remember from my 'Winnipeg Modern' coffee-table book that in the 1960s/70's Investors Group was looking to build a 40 story tower in downtown Winnipeg. Maybe this is related to it?

Biff · #**190** Posted **Oct 21, 2021, 1:20 PM**

Could this be what you are talking about

esquire · #**191** Posted **Oct 21, 2021, 1:24 PM**

^ That one looks like a total redo of the East Exchange, but not the East Yards.

It certainly sounds plausible that there would have been some sort of ambitious reach-for-the-stars type of redevelopment scheme pitched for the East Yards in the 70s, but I don't think I've ever actually seen any details.

Biff · #**192** Posted **Oct 21, 2021, 1:27 PM**

I am not familiar with the east yards.

esquire · #**193** Posted **Oct 21, 2021, 1:44 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biff

I am not familiar with the east yards.

It's basically the site where The Forks is now.

I took a quick look at the Tribune archives and I noted some articles from the late 60s to the late 70s referencing some vague but ambitious redevelopment plans being spearheaded by CN, and then somehow GWL got involved somewhere along the way. There were land swaps with the City too. At one point in the 70s a new arena was planned there. But obviously nothing came of it and it turned into The Forks that we know and love instead.

It's interesting that whatever CN was planning never gained traction since they were behind some very significant downtown redevelopment projects from that era in Montreal, Saskatoon and Edmonton... possibly others too.

Biff · #**194** Posted **Oct 21, 2021, 2:24 PM**

I remember, very clearly, a rendering of a tower akin to the CN tower in Toronto, on the site of the CMHR. This must have been in the 80's. It was about 1,000 ft tall and clad in glass to resemble ice. It reminded me a lot of a failed glass looking residential tower in Vancouver (I believe on Howe?)...lots of random shard like glass pieces.

It may have been a planning study - likely done by UoM Architecture students but it was in the paper.

I have been searching for that rendering for years.

Sheepish · #**195** Posted **Oct 21, 2021, 2:30 PM**

Thanks folks.

First...that model Biff of the development behind the concert hall was fabulous. I think it dates back to late 60's. When I was young, we used to go to symphony concerts. And passing through the tunnel from the parking garage at the public safety bldg, we used to see that model when we got into the concert hall lower level. Even then I would dream...'if only this could be developed'. It may have helped spur a longstanding personal/and brief professional interest in Urban development.
Alas though that was not the project. The one I am thinking of was alongside Union Station. I think it was in a publication called Opportunity Winnipeg from the early 70's (but I am digging deep in the mental archives!).

The Ellice development proposal I think came after Lakeview, and long before Core Area Initiative.
The development in the photo though would have been quite amazing...very 70's cool!

I have confidence that one of you will find these.

Cheers

peg · #**196** Posted **Oct 21, 2021, 3:29 PM**

With a quick google, I stumbled on this... I think it is the east yard's development that we are discussing?

https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/144470338.pdf

peg · #**197** Posted **Oct 21, 2021, 3:51 PM**

esquire · #**198** Posted **Oct 21, 2021, 4:04 PM**

Interesting to see how plans went from such a dense, commercially-oriented development (essentially extending downtown east to the former rail yards) to pretty much a big park with a marginal amount of residential/commercial space.

The Saint · #**199** Posted **Oct 21, 2021, 4:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biff

I remember, very clearly, a rendering of a tower akin to the CN tower in Toronto, on the site of the CMHR. This must have been in the 80's. It was about 1,000 ft tall and clad in glass to resemble ice. It reminded me a lot of a failed glass looking residential tower in Vancouver (I believe on Howe?)...lots of random shard like glass pieces.

It may have been a planning study - likely done by UoM Architecture students but it was in the paper.

I have been searching for that rendering for years.

I remember this rendering as well, but haven't been able to locate it again either. Wouldn't it look great on the South point of the Forks today? I recall it resembled a giant inverted icicle.

Sheepish · #**200** Posted **Oct 21, 2021, 4:45 PM**

Hey Peg
That report in your first post brings back memories...I went to school with one of the authors. The development/implementation of the Core Area Initiative was quite an adventure.
In your second post, Exhibit B appears to be a plan for the project I was thinking of. The time line would be about right (1973). There were some beautiful renderings in a glossy publication that featured a bunch of other developments.
I have confidence that one of you ingenious soles will unearth it (should you agree to accept this mission!).
Cheers