Winnipeg Construction XI

[wags_in_the_peg]

Originally Posted by Biff

The old Family Foods will become a No Frills.

confirmed or remoured?

[trueviking]

nice example of an appropriate fourplex infill....two 1400 sf three bedroom units and two one bed 600 sf.....perfect.

He's a young intern architect....bravo.

looks like he did a six storey residential building for his thesis...i love this guy.

[EndIt]

Really like that infill on Des Meurons. Any idea how much it cost to build? I'm sure it would be possible to find a few groups of 4 civically minded young folks to go in on making these into mini housing co-ops.

[ColdRain&Snow]

Originally Posted by EndIt

Really like that infill on Des Meurons. Any idea how much it cost to build? I'm sure it would be possible to find a few groups of 4 civically minded young folks to go in on making these into mini housing co-ops.

Do banks give out mortgages for housing co-ops? I'm honestly not sure. A 4-plex like that would probably cost around $1.6 million to build, assuming a cost of $400/sq ft (including land and permit costs). Obviously young people aren't going to have $400,000 in cash lying around, so they would need a mortgage to buy the property from the developer. At that point in time, the developer might as well just sell the individual units as condos. I highly doubt a bank would give a builder's loan to a group of friends with no development experience.

With that being said, does anyone know why these small triplexes and fourplexes are almost always rental properties instead of condos? Is it just the housing market right now or is there a specific reason why it's so uncommon to see small condo buildings?

[trueviking]

^ people in Winnipeg don't want to buy condominiums....i suspect that will change at some point, but right now the risk is too high that the developer will hold those units forever...see 390 Assiniboine for a big scale example.

Rentals are easy to lease.

[Biff]

It’s funny, because I can remember the industry 15 years ago and it was the other way around. There were no rental units being built and now it is all rental.

[trueviking]

yup...its completely flipped....

[EndIt]

Originally Posted by ColdRain&Snow

Do banks give out mortgages for housing co-ops?

Yeah, it's my understanding that getting private financing is really hard for co-ops, some credit unions will do it, but typically the government provides the financing. In other cases, it will start as a private, non co-op development that's later bought by its tenant's association. I'd like to know about that process and see if we could clear some regulatory hurdles for it.

[wags_in_the_peg]

Is it really $400 sq ft to build these days? I was still thinking we were $300?

[ColdRain&Snow]

Originally Posted by wags_in_the_peg

Is it really $400 sq ft to build these days? I was still thinking we were $300?

One of my projects that was tendered last summer came in at $442/sq ft. This is for a small 5-story apartment building, concrete and steel construction, with a small office and a small common room. Cheaper buildings are possible, but it's nothing that fancy. $442/sq ft is just the hard costs (construction) and does not include the cost of the land, permits, architect, etc. I would say $400/sq ft is a good rule of thumb for a basic apartment building nowadays. I would imagine the cost per square foot for detached houses is cheaper, but I don't work in homebuilding.

[Wpg_Guy]

St. James Civic Centre will be closed for renovations beginning June 15, 2025. The facility is expected to reopen in fall 2026. Ab McDonald Arena will be open during construction for the 2025/26 ice season.


St. James Civic Centre Expansion
Location: 2055 Ness Ave
Developer: The City of Winnipeg
Architect: LM Architectural Group
Status: U/C
Documents: Information Session Boards-May 2024
Media: Expansion of St. James Civic Centre set to begin next month-CTV News Winnipeg
Description: The St. James Civic Centre in Winnipeg is set for a $17 million expansion and renovation starting May 2025, with completion by fall 2026. Key upgrades include:

• South Addition: New lobby, multi-purpose rooms, dance studio, pool viewing area, lounge, kitchen, and admin space.
• East Addition: New office and staff room.
• Interior Upgrades: Renovated main hall, universal washrooms, new flooring, and paint.
• Site Improvements: Reoriented parking lot, pedestrian link to Ness Avenue, and multi-modal amenities.
• Mechanical/Electrical: Expanded systems and new equipment.
• Exterior: Modern facade, covered patio, and entry plaza.

Permits: #25-121923 RE-2025-04-08, Construct Addition. St. James Civic Centre - Construct 1 storey, 1,333 m² addition to the south front of the existing community/recreation centre building. Interior and exterior alterations to include minor renovation work to existing pool exterior wall, main entry, auditorium and washrooms. Expansion consists of new entrance and lounge, community kitchen, three multi-purpose rooms, new pool viewing area, studio, and new tenant space for St. James Assiniboia 55+ Centre.

[Wpg_Guy]

Northwest Winnipeg High School
Location: 2700 King Edward Street
Developer: The Winnipeg School Division
Architect: LM Architectural Group
Status: Scheduled to begin between 2026-28
Documents: Zoning Agreement Amendment–November 27, 2024
Media: Pledge to ‘build, build, build’ includes 11 new schools
Description: The Northwest Winnipeg High School, is a 170,000 sq. ft. facility set to be the largest new high school built in Manitoba in decades, accommodating 1,200 students and 74 daycare spaces. Located in one of Winnipeg’s fastest-growing neighborhoods, the school emphasizes academics, vocational programs, performing arts, sciences, and fitness. Its design features a central Commons area that connects four main academic zones, fostering both activity and relaxation with spaces like a theatre, library, and multi-purpose room. The layout includes a second-floor walkway linking academic wings, outdoor learning spaces like a “land lab,” and community-accessible recreational areas. The project incorporates sustainable design, natural materials, and Indigenous cultural elements developed with local educators and artist KC Adams, aiming to create a welcoming, unified campus for students and the community.
Permits:

[WinCitySparky]

City is just booming right now guys

[drew]

^ hey look, a new school that actually looks like a school!

[ColdRain&Snow]

Both the St. James Civic Centre renovation and the new Northwest High School look very nice.

[FactaNV]

Originally Posted by WinCitySparky

City is just booming right now guys

All we need now is a 30+ story or two and some good news on the RT system and we're cooking with gas haha.

[Wpg_Guy]

This is an important development for the city anticipated to start this year.

City of Winnipeg Archives
Location: 380 William Avenue
Developer: The City of Winnipeg
Architect: pico ARCHITECTURE inc.
Status: In development
Documents:

• Architect Summary Report-April 15, 2021
• ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
• Archives Program Facility Requirements

Media:

• Increased cost of storing city archives worth it: mayor–Winnipeg Free Press
• Province won’t chip in to restore Winnipeg archives–Winnipeg Free Press

Description: The City of Winnipeg Archives are planned to be rehoused in the historic Carnegie Library on William Avenue, their original home before a 2013 flood forced their relocation to a warehouse on Myrtle Street. In March 2023, the city’s property committee approved a $12.6 million budget for the restoration of the Carnegie Library to create a new archives centre. The project includes designing a private viewing area for sensitive materials, such as residential school records, to allow families a space for emotional privacy. An additional $6.6 million price increase was included in the 2025 City budget to cover the added cost to renovate the Carnegie Library. The renovation will feature advanced storage and preservation Systems, climate-controlled storage vaults, upgraded mechanical and electrical systems to provide temperature and humidity-controlled environments, essential for preserving irreplaceable records, including photographs, maps, and documents dating back to 1873. Construction to renovate the site will begin in 2025 and will likely wrap up in 2027. This move aims to improve public access, which has been limited at the Myrtle Street location, and to preserve the city’s 150-year history, including historic photos, maps, council minutes, and government documents, in a more suitable facility. The initiative coincides with Winnipeg’s 150th anniversary celebrations, emphasizing the importance of its archival heritage.
Permits:

[Wpg_Guy]

1444 Ravelston Avenue
Location: 1444 Ravelston Avenue
Developer: Tulip Homes Inc
Architect: Size Architecture
Status: In development
Documents: Subdivision and Rezoning–September 4, 2024 | Variance–September 4, 2024 | Plan Approval–May 23, 2025 | Submitted Plans
Media: Transcona housing plans approved–Winnipeg Free Press
Description: The applicant seeks to subdivide and rezone an existing lot to the "RMF-S" Residential Multi-Family Small district to construct four three-story multi-family townhouses, totaling 23 dwelling units. Each unit will feature an attached garage and a 20-foot driveway, with the buildings clad in a mix of vertical siding and stucco. To enhance the site, the proposal includes planting 45 new trees and 162 new shrubs, primarily along the property lines.
Permits:

[Wpg_Guy]

1285-1365 Devonshire Drive West
Location: 1285-1365 Devonshire Drive West
Developer: Daytona Homes
Architect:
Status: In development
Documents: Plan Approval–September 4, 2024 | Submitted Plans
Media: Transcona housing plans approved–Winnipeg Free Press
Description: The applicant plans to construct four townhouse buildings along Devonshire Drive West, comprising a total of 21 units. The westernmost building will contain six units, while the other three buildings will each have five units. Each unit will front onto Devonshire Drive West, featuring front porches, with vehicular access provided via a rear lane. The two-story buildings will be clad in vinyl siding and manufactured stone, and each unit will include one parking stall designed to potentially accommodate a future detached garage.
Permits: #24-263122 DP-2024-12-16, Permit. Development permit for five-unit row house with covered front entrances.

[Malcsta]

A few 30+ storeys would be amazing. But Im still excited about that vague rumour we heard in here about a 50 storey tower..

Probably getting my hopes up though