SkyCity Centre Winnipeg | 45F | 575 Ft | 175.26 M | Cancelled

[bomberjet]

I'd like some news or updates from Fortress on the status. Weren't shovels supposed to be in the ground by now. All's I now is they're going to demo the St Regis soon.. Hope there's something real coming on the end of that.

But hey, we're just internet forumers.

[cllew]

July 4th meeting of Property and Development committee has an application for access off Smith for the new parking structure that's replacing the St. Regis hotel.

[EndoftheBeginning]

Originally Posted by cllew

July 4th meeting of Property and Development committee has an application for access off Smith for the new parking structure that's replacing the St. Regis hotel.

From the application:

The subject land currently contains a hotel and surface parking lot. The applicant wishes to demolish the existing hotel and construct a mixed use building, with 12,000 square feet of commercial space on the ground level, and several floors of parking above.

The proposed building will be constructed in conjunction with, but separate from, the 48 story residential tower that is planned for construction at 245 Graham Avenue.

The proposed 6.5 metre wide private approach on the east side of Smith Street will serve as the only entrance and exit for the above-grade parking

[buzzg]

While 6.5 m seems quite wide, that would consolidate to only one entrance on Smith, which is nice. Although I wonder if there'd be a way to make it work with the lane behind, which exits onto Garry and the Portage lane.

Does the city try to work with developments to minimize this or work to keep exits in the back? Or, do y'all think that's necessary? Just wondering everyone's thoughts.

[EndoftheBeginning]

Here is the site plan for the curb cut, to help visualize.

[robertocarlos]

Wouldn't it be better to take advantage of the back lane as an approach to the ramp and door instead of losing so much space on your own property? I don't like the 90 degree turns. If there is a bit of high curb or abrupt transition and your car is low you need to take the curb at a 22.5 to 45 degree angle. There's no room for that approach.

[cllew]

City does not usually allow access off of back lanes if I recall their development rules properly.

[buzzg]

Interesting that they have this plan for the parkade in, but not for the condos. Still shows a curb cut south of the St. Regis, so is there going to be a lane between SkyCity and the parkade? That'd suck.

[Labroco]

Originally Posted by buzzg

Interesting that they have this plan for the parkade in, but not for the condos. Still shows a curb cut south of the St. Regis, so is there going to be a lane between SkyCity and the parkade? That'd suck.

This is just an excuse to demolish the hotel. This is in no way a viable project on its own and there are no bonds in place to ensure the parkade is ever built. Construction can only occur as they say if the condo project proceeds.

So the question again is why are they demolishing this building without any guarantee the tower is built or a foundation permit has been applied for...

Heritage designations might as well be removed from the St Charles and the Vendrome to make way for fantasy highrise projects as well...

Is the planning department really prepared to issue a demo permit on this basis?

No drawings for this mystery project required?

[Jets4Life]

I know everyone is depressed, in regards to the Sky Centre proposed building. I doubt it gets built, but I think it's time to relax, kick back, and enjoy some Michael Jackson....

• Video Link

Don't blame it on the sunshine
Don't blame it on the moonlight
Don't blame it on the good times
Blame it on the boogie

[cllew]

Originally Posted by buzzg

Interesting that they have this plan for the parkade in, but not for the condos. Still shows a curb cut south of the St. Regis, so is there going to be a lane between SkyCity and the parkade? That'd suck.

Maybe the one they are leaving in place will be for loading dock access/exit for Sky City.

[balletomane]

I really hope SkyCity is built, but mainly because the design would really stand out so much in the skyline. At this point, like someone said a little while back, I think the best thing for this project would be if Fortress was no longer involved, or less involved than it currently is.

I'm not worried about Downtown losing this project though, I'm sure there are many developers out there eyeing Winnipeg for there next evelopment, things are on the upswing, so if SkyCity is cancelled we'll get another proposal.

Think about it, 20 years ago, there were people saying Winnipeg was going the way of Detroit, there were statisticians projecting Winnipeg's population would decline up until 2021. Now, we're on track for 1 million in 15-20 years, people are moving downtown and maybe, we are lucky that we can even debate over a project like SkyCity. We have A LOT of work to do, but from the way things could've gone, Winnipeg is the biggest success story of major Canadian cities.

[esquire]

^ A bit of perspective certainly helps. You're absolutely right, things have certainly changed since the bad old days when people were seriously expecting Winnipeg to shrivel up... it was really around 96-98 when that mentality was at its worst.

Even if Skycity doesn't happen, something else likely will... demand for downtown residential hasn't been satisfied yet.

[optimusREIM]

Originally Posted by esquire

^ A bit of perspective certainly helps. You're absolutely right, things have certainly changed since the bad old days when people were seriously expecting Winnipeg to shrivel up... it was really around 96-98 when that mentality was at its worst.

Even if Skycity doesn't happen, something else likely will... demand for downtown residential hasn't been satisfied yet.

That last part the best part is that as more people start moving into downtown it will increase the desirability of the area and induce further demand. I think we're a ways off from being able to perceptibly notice this but when it takes off (fingers crossed that it's sooner than later) we'll probably see a host of new projects. I'm also guessing if we can make it attractive to large corporations to set up a headquarters here that trend will be all the more dramatic. Here's hoping

[buzzg]

Originally Posted by optimusREIM

That last part the best part is that as more people start moving into downtown it will increase the desirability of the area and induce further demand. I think we're a ways off from being able to perceptibly notice this but when it takes off (fingers crossed that it's sooner than later) we'll probably see a host of new projects. I'm also guessing if we can make it attractive to large corporations to set up a headquarters here that trend will be all the more dramatic. Here's hoping

I would argue that in the Exchange, it's perceptibly noticeable how much busier it is during regular, non-event times. Between residents, tourists, and workers - it's astronomically different than even five years ago. Seems every year it gets noticeably busier and busier.

[optimusREIM]

Originally Posted by buzzg

I would argue that in the Exchange, it's perceptibly noticeable how much busier it is during regular, non-event times. Between residents, tourists, and workers - it's astronomically different than even five years ago. Seems every year it gets noticeably busier and busier.

I was addressing the area to the south of portage specifically. The exchange has certainly improved but it's still got a long way to go to feeling truly vibrant during non event times.

[Urban recluse]

Totally. Compared to similar districts in other cities, night and day.

[DowntownBooster]

Originally Posted by optimusREIM

That last part the best part is that as more people start moving into downtown it will increase the desirability of the area and induce further demand. I think we're a ways off from being able to perceptibly notice this but when it takes off (fingers crossed that it's sooner than later) we'll probably see a host of new projects. I'm also guessing if we can make it attractive to large corporations to set up a headquarters here that trend will be all the more dramatic. Here's hoping

I think this is the biggest challenge facing Winnipeg as we have lost a lot of head offices (as well as regional offices) to Toronto and Calgary over the years. Even Saskatchewan has been aggressive in trying to attract head offices to that province and it wouldn't surprise me to see them go after those currently operating in Winnipeg. It wasn't all that long ago that we lost the head office of Agricore United when Saskatchewan Wheat Pool of Regina outbid James Richardson International of Winnipeg.

Are any attempts being made to attract head offices to Winnipeg? If so, are there any success stories? If not, what are the roadblocks? You would think that one of the best selling features of Winnipeg is that employees can generally afford a house here whereas in Toronto the average home price is over a million dollars. Yet surprisingly business and people continue to flock there even though homes cost a fortune and commute times can be more than 2 hours.

Is it a case of taxes being too high in Manitoba? Maybe we're considered too anti-business here. Could it be the unions here are just too powerful and repels business from wanting to locate in Winnipeg? Surely it can't simply be a case of winters being too cold or having too many mosquitoes in summer.

Any thoughts?

[lilwayne]

Originally Posted by DowntownBooster

I think this is the biggest challenge facing Winnipeg as we have lost a lot of head offices (as well as regional offices) to Toronto and Calgary over the years. Even Saskatchewan has been aggressive in trying to attract head offices to that province and it wouldn't surprise me to see them go after those currently operating in Winnipeg. It wasn't all that long ago that we lost the head office of Agricore United when Saskatchewan Wheat Pool of Regina outbid James Richardson International of Winnipeg.

Are any attempts being made to attract head offices to Winnipeg? If so, are there any success stories? If not, what are the roadblocks? You would think that one of the best selling features of Winnipeg is that employees can generally afford a house here whereas in Toronto the average home price is over a million dollars. Yet surprisingly business and people continue to flock there even though homes cost a fortune and commute times can be more than 2 hours.

Is it a case of taxes being too high in Manitoba? Maybe we're considered too anti-business here. Could it be the unions here are just too powerful and repels business from wanting to locate in Winnipeg? Surely it can't simply be a case of winters being too cold or having too many mosquitoes in summer.

Any thoughts?

In day and age of Google I'm surprised at the level of ignorance...... Winnipeg has some of the lowest business tax... Hydro costs.... Internet phone cost in Canada.... Plus are office lease rates are cheaper.... Location is main reason for not attracting major companies but that might change soon as congested shit holes like Toronto and Edmonton run out of dr space..... But ya these cities dts are so ugly and overrated I don't get the appeal

[lilwayne]

Toronto and Edmonton are hideous compared to peg... Just got back from tdot it's a shit hole wowwww