Winnipeg | Osborne Village & Corydon area

[FactaNV]

Originally Posted by ColdRain&Snow

For the lot at Grosvenor @ Wentworth (874/876/880 Grosvenor Ave), it seems that a revised design was approved by the City Centre Community Committee on June 25, 2024. It also seems that an extension of time on the zoning and variances was granted by City Council in July.

The original design was 26 units and was approved back in the winter of 2020. I'm assuming that the pandemic and then rising interest rates is what put the project on hold. Here is a rendering of the original design:



And here is a rendering of the new design. It looks like a partial 5th floor was added. Not sure how many units are in the new building.



Hopefully the project moves forward now that a revised design has been approved.

It's so much shittier now

[ColdRain&Snow]

As for the project at McMillan @ Stafford, I haven't seen anything come through City Council recently. This is the project that was originally rejected by the community committee, but then the developer appealed the community committee decision and the project went to the Appeals Committee. The Appeals Committee (which did not include the local councilor, Sherri Rollins) then overturned the rejected variances and allowed the project, causing a bunch of controversy. That was back in January 2021, and the only thing that has happened on-site since then is the existing houses were demolished.

As far as I can tell, the developer is working on a new design. Here was the original design, which contained 22 residential units and 2 commercial units:



Looking at the architect's website, it seems that the new design is 30 residential units with 2,565 sq ft of commercial space (not sure how many commercial units). Here's what is currently shown on the architect's website:



Website: https://www.dwelldesignbuilders.com/...olio/mcmillian

[FactaNV]

Why do these bean counters hate colour?

[Kris22]

Thanks for the quick info!

The new stafford proposal is a little bland but still a definite improvement over the initial design (which was a totally ridiculous attempt at making one new building look like 4 old ones pasted together).

The updated Grosvenor proposal looks like it might be a bit of a downgrade but the two renderings are not the same quality so it's not really a fair comparison. The absolutely gigantic cornice isn't doing it any favours.

[Kris22]

This has to be one of the ugliest and cheapest looking buildings to go up in Winnipeg in the last 10 years. I have no problem with the orange colour, but every single other element of the design is just god awful. The materials used, the way the siding panels look like different tones, the way the materials meet at corners and at the roof, the cheap ass, ugly balconies, that weird smooth grey patch between the windows and the balconies (seriously wtf). This is industrial wasteland architecture.

Originally Posted by ColdRain&Snow

[ColdRain&Snow]

Originally Posted by Kris22

This has to be one of the ugliest and cheapest looking buildings to go up in Winnipeg in the last 10 years. I have no problem with the orange colour, but every single other element of the design is just god awful. The materials used, the way the siding panels look like different tones, the way the materials meet at corners and at the roof, the cheap ass, ugly balconies, that weird smooth grey patch between the windows and the balconies (seriously wtf). This is industrial wasteland architecture.

I agree, it belongs in an industrial park.

[bon_vivant]

That entire development is hideous, it just reeks of cheapness. Looks like it was built by Shindico. Our city should demand higher standards.

[Mr Tall Forehead]

I actually don't mind it. I think because it's in the village and there is already such a range of building designs, materials, heights and ages it actually blends in and provides some additional variety.

On the other hand, if the orange tin building was the only apartment building in a single family neighbourhood it would definitely stand out in a bad, bad way.

[bon_vivant]

I have a bigger gripe with the dreary grey building facing Osbourne. At least the orange one behind it is slightly less visible. I don't mind the colour, it's the execution that's dreadful. The building on the former Dutch Maid site is much better, with its brick facade and spacious inset balconies.

[FactaNV]

Originally Posted by bon_vivant

I have a bigger gripe with the dreary grey building facing Osbourne. At least the orange one behind it is slightly less visible. I don't mind the colour, it's the execution that's dreadful. The building on the former Dutch Maid site is much better, with its brick facade and spacious inset balconies.

The big difference being one was designed by our digital friend TrueViking and the other was designed by accountants. Can you figure which is which? 😂

[Mr Tall Forehead]

Yeah, without a doubt that is a nicer building.

Would be interesting to see how the cost per square foot between the two buildings compare.

[trueviking]

Originally Posted by ColdRain&Snow

As for the project at McMillan @ Stafford, I haven't seen anything come through City Council recently. This is the project that was originally rejected by the community committee, but then the developer appealed the community committee decision and the project went to the Appeals Committee. The Appeals Committee (which did not include the local councilor, Sherri Rollins) then overturned the rejected variances and allowed the project, causing a bunch of controversy. That was back in January 2021, and the only thing that has happened on-site since then is the existing houses were demolished.

As far as I can tell, the developer is working on a new design. Here was the original design, which contained 22 residential units and 2 commercial units:



Looking at the architect's website, it seems that the new design is 30 residential units with 2,565 sq ft of commercial space (not sure how many commercial units). Here's what is currently shown on the architect's website:



Website: https://www.dwelldesignbuilders.com/...olio/mcmillian

I always thought this design was weird because the fake old commercial building facades were on the street facing single family houses and not the commercial street. It should have been turned 90 degrees.

That being said, the new version is definitely lacking ideas.

[trueviking]

Originally Posted by theruler462

I'm not sure if we've seen this updated render for 670 McMillan at Hugo yet. Rezoning hearing scheduled for September 5.

Looks like the EIFS pretending to be brick is now just brick coloured EIFS. (Until it fades in five years) I hope they at least return that styrofoam cornice back to the entry inset instead of just ending at the corner like they show it.

Probably a $12 million project. $150k worth of real brick would have elevated it immensely.

[BAKGUY]

Originally Posted by Kris22

This has to be one of the ugliest and cheapest looking buildings to go up in Winnipeg in the last 10 years. I have no problem with the orange colour, but every single other element of the design is just god awful. The materials used, the way the siding panels look like different tones, the way the materials meet at corners and at the roof, the cheap ass, ugly balconies, that weird smooth grey patch between the windows and the balconies (seriously wtf). This is industrial wasteland architecture.

And it's not even a nice Orange. A deep Red/crimson/burgundy would have looked much better with all the dreary grey. It certainly has a very lowmark feel.
Osborne Village is where one might think the best in design would be found.

[BlackDog204]

Originally Posted by FactaNV

It's so much shittier now

The original design is like something out of my dreams.

[bon_vivant]

Originally Posted by FactaNV

The big difference being one was designed by our digital friend TrueViking and the other was designed by accountants. Can you figure which is which? 😂

Well it looks great and it's a much better fit for the neighbourhood. The Zu complex is a tone-deaf monument to cost cutting, masquerading as hip and trendy. And those bright lights framing the windows in that upper orange section... WTF? Who signs off on this crap?

[borkborkbork]

https://www.instagram.com/village_icecream_co/

new ice cream place in the village on gertrude

[FactaNV]

Originally Posted by borkborkbork

https://www.instagram.com/village_icecream_co/

new ice cream place in the village on gertrude

Right in between two brand new developments. I wish them all the luck in the world.

[WinCitySparky]

Seems like a good time to roll the dice on a small business in the Village, with all the incoming tenants and inflation about to start moving downward.

[ColdRain&Snow]

Originally Posted by borkborkbork

https://www.instagram.com/village_icecream_co/

new ice cream place in the village on gertrude

I walked by it the other day and thought "is that place new or have I just never noticed it before" lol.