Winnipeg | University of Manitoba | Southwood Circle - Page 12

WildCake · #1 Posted **Sep 11, 2024, 1:18 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by WinCitySparky

I wonder if the recent steep national drop in student visas will affect construction of residential around the university.

It might impact the ARC/ALIGN buildings a bit given that their rental format is atypical and really geared towards uni students, but basically anything else in the area is a standard apartment/condo.

The U of M is being clear that the Southwood Circle development will be a neighbourhood geared towards everyone, not just students. Given our low vacancy rate and current immigration rates, I don't think there's short term concerns. The loss of 500 some international students sure stings the U of M's budget but I don't think it would be enough to sway developments away from Southwood or south Pembina in general.

borkborkbork · #2 Posted **Sep 11, 2024, 2:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by WildCake

It might impact the ARC/ALIGN buildings a bit given that their rental format is atypical and really geared towards uni students, but basically anything else in the area is a standard apartment/condo.

The U of M is being clear that the Southwood Circle development will be a neighbourhood geared towards everyone, not just students. Given our low vacancy rate and current immigration rates, I don't think there's short term concerns. The loss of 500 some international students sure stings the U of M's budget but I don't think it would be enough to sway developments away from Southwood or south Pembina in general.

That area has amenities (ethnic markets, restaurants, etc.) that are probably there in part because there are lots of international students living there. But at this point rental vacancies are <2% citywide and the southwest is a popular area... so if you build housing in this area, it's going to get filled whether it's students or not.

ColdRain&Snow · #3 Posted **Sep 10, 2024, 9:26 PM**

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manit...e%20per%20cent.

From the article:
"The number of international students enrolled at the University of Manitoba, the province's largest post-secondary institution, decreased seven per cent from 6,915 students in the fall term last year to 6,433 students this year, the university's preliminary fall enrolment report says.

The number of new international students decreased from 1,951 students to 1,366 students, the report says.

The U of M "is concerned to see an approximately 30 per cent drop in new international students and a seven per cent drop overall," a spokesperson said in an email Thursday.

"Even with positive growth in domestic enrolment, the international student drop can be expected to have a long-term impact on our institution.""

EndIt · #4 Posted **Sep 11, 2024, 9:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ColdRain&Snow

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manit...e%20per%20cent.

From the article:
"The number of international students enrolled at the University of Manitoba, the province's largest post-secondary institution, decreased seven per cent from 6,915 students in the fall term last year to 6,433 students this year, the university's preliminary fall enrolment report says.

The number of new international students decreased from 1,951 students to 1,366 students, the report says.

The U of M "is concerned to see an approximately 30 per cent drop in new international students and a seven per cent drop overall," a spokesperson said in an email Thursday.

"Even with positive growth in domestic enrolment, the international student drop can be expected to have a long-term impact on our institution.""

Yeah, bilking international students was the "solution" to declining provincial funding and frozen tuition. Now that the stream has slowed, it'll be interesting to see how Uni administration pivots. I hope they might get the message and cut administrative bloat, but knowing U of M, they'll try to get rid of tenured faculty and then hire 3 new vice-deputy-sub-provosts of student experience.

WinCitySparky · #5 Posted **Sep 10, 2024, 9:31 PM**

Thanks for that info CR&S.

It’s unfortunate but it seems they became over-reliant on a beneficial program they thought would never end.

wags_in_the_peg · #6 Posted **Sep 11, 2024, 3:13 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by WinCitySparky

Thanks for that info CR&S.

It’s unfortunate but it seems they became over-reliant on a beneficial program they thought would never end.

and not that I want to see people become un-employed but I know for a fact education institutions have very bloated Int'l student recruiting and teaching staff. so instead of raising domestic tuition, why are they not trimming the staff.

Mr Tall Forehead · #7 Posted **Oct 21, 2024, 2:28 PM**

https://legacy.winnipeg.ca/PPD/Docum...-220587-VC.pdf

They have submitted a variance application to allow for larger than permitted construction signs. Presumably a positive sign that actual construction is not far off.

bomberjet · #8 Posted **Oct 21, 2024, 3:03 PM**

Have we seen any renders of the actual building(s) yet? There is potentially some tidbits in the banners being proposed at the link.

ColdRain&Snow · #9 Posted **Oct 21, 2024, 3:14 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bomberjet

Have we seen any renders of the actual building(s) yet? There is potentially some tidbits in the banners being proposed at the link.

The banner is likely just an architect's conceptual rendering. I wouldn't put much weight on it.

borkborkbork · #10 Posted **Oct 21, 2024, 4:37 PM**

Quote:

"All lots within Southwood will be available under a lease term of 99 years with a one time pre-payment of land rent that will approximate the freehold value of the land parcel. The land lease is renewable for condominiumized projects.

The land lease model is common for university campus developments and has a well established trading and track record for borrowing and selling at UBC, Simon Fraser and UCalgary. The Southwood model is based directly upon the UCalgary model."

interesting. does anyone know anything about these calgary or burnaby projects this is based on?

Wpg_Guy · #11 Posted **Oct 21, 2024, 5:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by borkborkbork

interesting. does anyone know anything about these calgary or burnaby projects this is based on?

https://myuniversitydistrict.ca/

https://www.instagram.com/udistricty...BwcW12NGlidHo1

https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.6881552

WildCake · #12 Posted **Oct 21, 2024, 6:32 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wpg_Guy

https://myuniversitydistrict.ca/

https://www.instagram.com/udistricty...BwcW12NGlidHo1

https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.6881552

UCalgary university district definitely looks like what the U of M is trying to accomplish here and follows a lot of modern ideas of urban developments. 5-6 floor residential with at-grade CRUs, full service grocery store, and plenty of restaurants and bars. The main street through (from UCalgary) is pedestrian friendly with wide sidewalks, low vehicle speeds, and curb bump outs.

I was there on a truly miserable day in September (think 6 degrees, high winds, cloudy, and intermittent rain). The street was still busy with people milling about and felt like a place I'd go back to.

FactaNV · #13 Posted **Feb 19, 2025, 6:01 PM**

Anyone have any news or gossip on this?

Biff · #14 Posted **Feb 19, 2025, 6:55 PM**

They are trying. Last I heard developers are struggling with the parameters set out by UM Properties of the highrise, 15-25 floor, all concrete buildings. I was told that one developer was close but costing suggested that it would be cheaper to build two 5-10 storey buildings than one 20ish storey building....construction costs in Winnipeg!

FactaNV · #15 Posted **Feb 19, 2025, 7:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biff

They are trying. Last I heard developers are struggling with the parameters set out by UM Properties of the highrise, 15-25 floor, all concrete buildings. I was told that one developer was close but costing suggested that it would be cheaper to build two 5-10 storey buildings than one 20ish storey building....construction costs in Winnipeg!

You would think that this should be a slam dunk for developers. They can (and will) charge premium rent for the location.

trueviking · #16 Posted **Feb 19, 2025, 8:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biff

They are trying. Last I heard developers are struggling with the parameters set out by UM Properties of the highrise, 15-25 floor, all concrete buildings. I was told that one developer was close but costing suggested that it would be cheaper to build two 5-10 storey buildings than one 20ish storey building....construction costs in Winnipeg!

who could have predicted that?

Where is that eman guy when you need him?

trueviking · #17 Posted **Feb 19, 2025, 8:33 PM**

I have said all along that they will get a reality check when they go to market....all the added costs they were putting on developers, LEED certification, indoor parking, high-rise, non-combustible....it is all prohibitive to what the market generally can support.

drew · #18 Posted **Feb 19, 2025, 8:35 PM**

^LEED..?

That is so 20 years ago

trueviking · #19 Posted **Feb 19, 2025, 8:39 PM**

i know eh? I didn't think anyone still did that.

FactaNV · #20 Posted **Feb 19, 2025, 9:05 PM**

So essentially this whole development is a pipedream that either needs to get a lot smaller or it'll remain vapourware?