Winnipeg Construction X

[TRiToNDREyJA]

Had some rough renders for 285 Smith last year made based on the massing blueprints, should be relatively accurate mass wise (at least for the controversial initial design).

[dmacc]

Is it a new tallest? the render makes it look close.

[city_slicker]

Originally Posted by Biff

Good news on the permits.

All the action at the 285 site is related to the Smith St reconstruction. In my last conversation with the developers, they would be looking at starting in spring 2023.

Thanks. I wondered as most stuff onsite appears to be fill and stuff.

The plans have improved - at least podium has- since it went to UDAC. The podium now has multiple setbacks, seating, bars, and much of the podium now ties in with that heritage brick building across the lane at smith and portage. With similar brick, but also other materials, broken up

[TRiToNDREyJA]

Originally Posted by dmacc

Is it a new tallest? the render makes it look close.

Not a new tallest, but it's position in downtown sure makes it look like it from the interesting angles.

This gif illustrates the height a bit better.

Originally Posted by TRiToNDREyJA

I never realized how old this photo taken by WPG guy was (taken in 2007) until he mentioned it yesterday, so I took the liberty to make a gif.

Shows the construction/guaranteed proposals that happened since, and then the St Regis tower afterward. Pretty impressive in hindsight.

[TRiToNDREyJA]

Originally Posted by city_slicker

Thanks. I wondered as most stuff onsite appears to be fill and stuff.

The plans have improved - at least podium has- since it went to UDAC. The podium now has multiple setbacks, seating, bars, and much of the podium now ties in with that heritage brick building across the lane at smith and portage. With similar brick, but also other materials, broken up

I can't wait to see these new plans

[Wpg_Guy]

Originally Posted by TRiToNDREyJA

Not a new tallest, but it's position in downtown sure makes it look like it from the interesting angles.

This gif illustrates the height a bit better.

Cool! Thanks for doing that

[esquire]

Nice drawings. That tower will certainly do a lot to fill in a bit of a gap in the skyline.

Speaking of skyline gaps, I wonder when Portage will get another tower. That stretch between Centrepoint and Portage and Main hasn't had a new tower go up since the Kensington Building in the 70s. There are some pretty weak stretches crying out for new development (Dollarama/MEC, the old Dominion News/Hurtig building, southside between Garry and Fort).

[WinCitySparky]

I recall someone mentioning True North had something cooking regarding acquiring a property on Portage, perhaps the old Snap/Blush UltraLounge building? Would make sense with the proximity to MTS Centre, and would be a good candidate for a rip-down.

[Jeff]

You can tell there's something going on behind the scenes with the old St Regis site as they only put asphalt down for the sidewalk in front of the site as opposed to cement for the rest of the reconstructed sections of Smith. Keep the cranes hovering over the skyline!

[wags_in_the_peg]

Originally Posted by WinCitySparky

I recall someone mentioning True North had something cooking regarding acquiring a property on Portage, perhaps the old Snap/Blush UltraLounge building? Would make sense with the proximity to MTS Centre, and would be a good candidate for a rip-down.

i sure hope so, the state of that building is disgusting. especially next door to glasshouse / alt hotel

[CoryB]

Originally Posted by esquire

Since the giant parkade component appears to be happening anyway... I wonder if there's any chance that the cops could get in on that and buy a few levels of secure parking so that the Millennium Library parkade could be left for public use?

While I am not a fan of the WPS having their own dedicated parking downtown I think the lower level of the Millennium Library makes the most sense as it is definitely lighter on use expect for very extreme cold weather days.

That WPS members feel there is a need to have secure parking for their own safety downtown is a little too on the nose for my own liking as their core purpose for existing is public safety including downtown. If they are admitting downtown is unsafe they are effectively admitting they are failing at their own core purpose which calls into question what they should be doing differently.

[drew]

Originally Posted by CoryB

While I am not a fan of the WPS having their own dedicated parking downtown I think the lower level of the Millennium Library makes the most sense as it is definitely lighter on use expect for very extreme cold weather days.

That WPS members feel there is a need to have secure parking for their own safety downtown is a little too on the nose for my own liking as their core purpose for existing is public safety including downtown. If they are admitting downtown is unsafe they are effectively admitting they are failing at their own core purpose which calls into question what they should be doing differently.

You are being very diplomatic.

IMO, it just makes the WPS seem like a bunch of entitled babies.

[Malcsta]

I did a rudimentary mock up of an idea I had - get rid of that godawful hat at the top, raise one of the podiums, and shorten the other. Would look a hell of a lot less bulky.

https://imgur.com/gallery/WmIzwUE

[Luisito]

Originally Posted by Malcsta

I did a rudimentary mock up of an idea I had - get rid of that godawful hat at the top, raise one of the podiums, and shorten the other. Would look a hell of a lot less bulky.

https://imgur.com/gallery/WmIzwUE

Yeah that certainly would be better.

Reminds me of this building in MTL. Has a much more interesting shape and looks better than just a regular old bulky tower.


https://www.google.com/maps/@45.5102448,...HfhHp34XT9FIaqHhWcnaA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

[trueviking]

free press finally picked up the Roblin project....cancelled by the province for the honourable reason that it doesn't fit the character of the neighbourhood.

https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breaki...-approved-55-plus-complex-in-charleswood

[trueviking]

Originally Posted by Biff

Good news on the permits.

All the action at the 285 site is related to the Smith St reconstruction. In my last conversation with the developers, they would be looking at starting in spring 2023.

I've heard they are just building the parking floors for now.....they must think they can sign a contract with the police because structured parking does not work economically in downtown Winnipeg....payback is like 40 years.

[wardlow]

So after killing an apartment project on Roblin, another project will be going to the Manitoba Municipal Board... this is one on Shaftesbury Blvd just north of CMU. Hearing was supposed to be this week, but rescheduled for sometime in the new year now.

I imagine a completely rational process and decision... /s



Amazing to think this Board was created because a few developers complained to the Provincial goverment about too much delay and uncertainty at the municipal level. No doubt they'll be pressuring the new mayor and provincial officials to do away with this board.

In the meantime, enjoy your pyrrhic victory, guys.

[trueviking]

if not fitting the character of the neighbourhood is good enough reasoning for the province to reject multi-family buildings, why wouldn't every NIMBY group send it there....you'd think they would need to have some less subjective criteria.

[thurmas]

the board ruling is the exact thing that Pierre Poilievre should go after but because it's a board run by Stefanson PC cronies he wont of course.

[Biff]

Originally Posted by trueviking

I've heard they are just building the parking floors for now.....they must think they can sign a contract with the police because structured parking does not work economically in downtown Winnipeg....payback is like 40 years.

Yes, parkade first. They are interested to see the uptake on 300 Main.