Winnipeg Construction X

[Wpg_Guy]

Originally Posted by DancingDuck

Is someone able to point me in the direction of renderings? I'm browsing on my phone and can't get the city planning links to load properly. I have a pretty good idea what to expect design wise but I'm still curious.

A few buildings similar to the 3 storey brick one at the Jubilee/Osborne intersection would be amazing spread along the street, or clustered around BDI.

[Jeff]

edit.

[Labroco]

Originally Posted by Wpg_Guy

Is it possible to extract these (and other building plans) off of the Winnipeg.ca web page??

[davequanbury]

Originally Posted by bomberjet

What should've happened decades ago is Jubilee bulldozed and turned into a freeway connecting Fermor to Sterling Lyon.

Yikes.

[bomberjet]

^If the City had done it right, it probably wouldn't have needed a bulldoze because nothing would've been there.

The larger City failed to establish a good transportation system, including for private vehicles and transit. And we're living with the mess today.

[GarryEllice]

Originally Posted by bomberjet

^If the City had done it right, it probably wouldn't have needed a bulldoze because nothing would've been there.

What does "doing it right" mean? Jubilee was built in the early 1900s. You're saying the city should have saved space for an expressway, a concept that literally didn't even exist at the time?

In fact, Jubilee was at the end of a streetcar line heading downtown, which was absolutely "doing it right" in a 1900 context. Suburban sprawl and the shift from transit to private automobiles were still decades away at that point.

[Labroco]

Originally Posted by GarryEllice

What does "doing it right" mean? Jubilee was built in the early 1900s. You're saying the city should have saved space for an expressway, a concept that literally didn't even exist at the time?

In fact, Jubilee was at the end of a streetcar line heading downtown, which was absolutely "doing it right" in a 1900 context. Suburban sprawl and the shift from transit to private automobiles were still decades away at that point.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

[BAKGUY]

I just learned today that there will be a proposal for the new tallest structure in Winnipeg. Approximately 50 floors. Yes,residential. Yes, an iconic structure. The plans are being worked on presently and NO>>>I can not divulge more than that. I am probably going way too far sharing this but heard it from someone who with others, are working on the design.I could not contain my exuberance hearing this.
If this comes to fruition, it is for certain on Smith Street and I think likely on the former Skycity site.That I can not say 100 % but when I tried to interrogate, it seems like that is where. At 50 floors, makes sense. Or very near that vicinity.
Once again, I am trying to share some positive news so please no pessimistic or negative comments. Once again, I can not say more than what I I have. It is now up to some of you to investigate & add to this.

[pegcityboy]

Thanks Bakguy for the info ! Very exciting news as long as it’s an iconic building and reputable company in charge I had no doubt it will succeed !

[Wpgstvsouth94]

Thank you for the info!! This makes me so happy. I hope they go even taller!!

[DancingDuck]

Only hearing this little bit of information is almost worse then not hearing anything at all haha. But in all seriousness thank you Bakguy for the tease, hopefully we can find out more sooner rather than later. And nice to hear that even with Covid there's still things cooking behind the scenes...

[WinCitySparky]

Nice, thanks for the info. No matter what comes of it it’s still exciting to hear that there are forces out there with the motivation, interest, and capital willing to pursue projects of this type of scale, and continue to move the skyline up.

[BAKGUY]

Originally Posted by pegcityboy

Thanks Bakguy for the info ! Very exciting news as long as it’s an iconic building and reputable company in charge I had no doubt it will succeed !

So to everyone as intrigued as me, I have no clue who is involved financially or who would front the costs, but that a serious firm is actively working on the design as we speak. As many of you, this was encouraging to hear that at the very least, during covid, something of this magnitude & height is actually in the realm of possibilities.
Should I be able to learn more I will do my part to share. If anyone else knows something, please share as well. I am like a kid in the candy store excited..

[pspeid]

Originally Posted by WinCitySparky

Nice, thanks for the info. No matter what comes of it it’s still exciting to hear that there are forces out there with the motivation, interest, and capital willing to pursue projects of this type of scale, and continue to move the skyline up.

My thoughts exactly

[wags_in_the_peg]

Every single article I read across North America is all about how majority (not all) people do not plan on living & working in a large downtown world. Covid has changed the game now more than ever. Many, many people will return to work in downtown in large cities, however many many will be on a part-time basis and WFH the rest. Investors are worried over this right now

[esquire]

Originally Posted by wags_in_the_peg

Every single article I read across North America is all about how majority (not all) people do not plan on living & working in a large downtown world. Covid has changed the game now more than ever. Many, many people will return to work in downtown in large cities, however many many will be on a part-time basis and WFH the rest. Investors are worried over this right now

Yeah, as intrigued as I am by BAKGUY's news I have to say I find the timing of it a little curious. Between the general trends that wags mentioned above and the idea that downtown Winnipeg has probably lost more than most larger Canadian downtowns on a relative basis over the last year (retail has basically evaporated, for instance), I wonder who would be throwing down big dollars right now on a brand new residential project? It's one thing if you already have a project on the go, but quite another to start one up.

[Gravity Wins]

When it comes to downtown living in the post-covid world, I see two very distinct groups of people:

1. Office workers who have recently learned that they love working from home, and would never step foot in a downtown office again if given the chance

2. Students, young people, and extroverts of all ages, who for the most part have been hating covid life due to lack of social activities and interaction with others.

In other words, for those who already have their life and their career figured out, being away from the action makes more sense than ever. But for those who are still trying to start their lives, there could be more demand than ever for busy urban living.

[GreyGarden]

From what I've seen on the Canadian Proposals Thread, Edmonton is still getting a fair bit of tall residential development, and they've been hit with a double punch - WFH and the slow down in oil and gas.

I suspect that outside of Toronto there won't be much in the way of office proposals, but I think urban living has a lot of other factors related to it other than just being close to work. So my prediction is that residential development will still continue, although at a sluggish pace in Winnipeg, which I'd say is normal, especially downtown. I'm hopeful for areas like Osborne Village and West Broadway which imo are more amenity rich than downtown. Anecdotally, for me that was the deciding factor in choosing West Broadway over other central neighbourhoods.

As for this project, I share WinCity's sentiment, I'm thankful that there is still some interest in this style of development. Although, I'd be much happier with two 25 story buildings, I'll take what we can get at this point.

[esquire]

^ I get the urbanist argument for shorter buildings, but there is a distinct image and branding advantage that comes with having new very tall towers. 10 new 5 storey buildings would never be noticed in the skyline, while a 50 storey tower would actually make a mark in that regard. It looks great and people from across Canada would notice whenever Winnipeg's skyline shot is presented. And functionally there is not much of a difference at all between 2x25 between 1x50. At the end of the day you're still talking about towers.

I don't think it necessarily has to be one or the other... if someone wants to build a 50 storey tower, they shouldn't be dissuaded on the grounds that it will somehow thwart Winnipeg from achieving its destiny as the Paris of North America or whatever.

[T'Cona]

The idea of a sleek signature tower gracing the skyline from the centre of the downtown is exciting.

Covid has shown us two things: some people have discovered the appeal of working from home, and if given the choice, would not step foot in an office again (at least for now), and people love going out to eat, socialize, and enjoy entertainment and cultural attractions. Either group could find downtown an attractive place to live, and I think many people would be attracted to this potential tower.

What I would like to see is increased funding for downtown infrastructure. We can no longer tolerate crumbing curbs, streets, sidewalks, and I would also like to see new, and maintained trees, landscaping, etc. The city has a role in keeping downtown attractive to residents and visitors.

Oh, and open Portage & Main hahaha.