Winnipeg Construction VIII

[esquire]

Originally Posted by CoryB

I think the outcome of the Safeway sale to Sobey's will see the St Vital, Southdale and Grant Park stores convert to the Whole Foods banner along with the Safeway distribution centre on Route 90. The Safeway milk processing operations though may go either way.

I wouldn't bet on Whole Foods... I'd think it's more likely that Save On Foods or Metro would set up shop instead. Either one would be a much better fit for Winnipeg's demographics.

I would be pretty shocked if the North Main strip lost the Extra Foods and Safeway stores in barely a year's time. That would be quite a blow for the North End. I never put much stock into the idea that there was a food desert in central Winnipeg, but one sure has emerged quickly with the closure of two Extra Foods locations, The Bay's supermarket, Riediger's Foods, the Safeway on Wall, possibly now the Safeway on Main... am I missing any?

[1ajs]

sure makes living in the inner city less walkable

[Andy6]

Originally Posted by esquire

I wouldn't bet on Whole Foods... I'd think it's more likely that Save On Foods or Metro would set up shop instead. Either one would be a much better fit for Winnipeg's demographics.

I would be pretty shocked if the North Main strip lost the Extra Foods and Safeway stores in barely a year's time. That would be quite a blow for the North End. I never put much stock into the idea that there was a food desert in central Winnipeg, but one sure has emerged quickly with the closure of two Extra Foods locations, The Bay's supermarket, Riediger's Foods, the Safeway on Wall, possibly now the Safeway on Main... am I missing any?

Whole Foods has only barely got up to three stores in the entire GTA. It is way out of Winnipeg's price range. Their stores are as different from a Safeway as IKEA is from Brick's Fine Furniture. The market could maybe support one Whole Foods but it's all special brands (almost no national brands or products of any kind -- no Coke, no Pepsi, only super-expensive cereal brands you've never heard of, etc.) Setting all the necessary distribution up to service one store in a budget-conscious market sounds unlikely unless they're changing their whole business model.

[h0twired]

Originally Posted by 1ajs

sure makes living in the inner city less walkable

People in the inner city walk to Grant Park for groceries?

[1ajs]

i know people that do

[CoryB]

Moving the Safeway sale discussion to the Winnipeg Retail thread where it belongs. Follow it there if you are interested on more details about who might be buying those locations and why.

[Jeff]

safeway on mountain is still open for now...

[buzzg]

Originally Posted by pegcity

I don't want to be a dink face but I'm pretty sure Sobeys owns Price Choppers. So I think the prices would and are similar at both stores, again not being a dink face.

Price Chopper is significantly cheaper than Sobeys, it doesnt offer lots of the fancier cheeses, meats, etc like Sobeys... its more lke extrafoods/nofrills.

anyways....

Noticed this a week ago, surprised no one has mentioned it: all the for sale signs on the old Masonic Temple behind MEC are down, anyone know the plans for that building?? Would be so awesome to see itt open as restraunt/bar/lounge again!

[JamieDavid Exchange]

A big part of that is "WTC branded properties."

"The idea is that the WTC building says to people 'we are international,' " Mulaire said.She said they are looking to identify a prominent building that would be easy for people to get to and a place where you might find other organizations involved in international trade.

She said for budget reasons it is not likely it will be in one of the new downtown developments being contemplated unless she can convince a developer of the value of the WTC brand.

Looks like the idea of their new location at One Portage and Main or SoPo is not happening.

Source

[Cyro]

Originally Posted by JamieDavid Exchange

Looks like the idea of their new location at One Portage and Main or SoPo is not happening.

Source

Yes I asked the same question earlier in the Buisness Thread, I was curious as well.

>>> http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=6313926&postcount=1228

[bomberjet]

So they're looking for freebie office space..

[1ajs]

Originally Posted by buzzg

Noticed this a week ago, surprised no one has mentioned it: all the for sale signs on the old Masonic Temple behind MEC are down, anyone know the plans for that building?? Would be so awesome to see itt open as restraunt/bar/lounge again!

they blew over in the wind and nearly caused a car accedent i know i was standing there when it happen..

[Flavelle103]

Originally Posted by JamieDavid Exchange

Looks like the idea of their new location at One Portage and Main or SoPo is not happening.

Source

Hilarious. Wpg pursues a WTC, then can only afford to stick it in the suburbs somewhere? Seems to suggest the WTC has no more real merit to simply being able to say, 'we have one.'

[Cyro]

Originally Posted by Flavelle103

Hilarious. Wpg pursues a WTC, then can only afford to stick it in the suburbs somewhere? Seems to suggest the WTC has no more real merit to simply being able to say, 'we have one.'

The article didn't suggest the suburbs, they only suggest it won't be located in a new developement in the core. The location is speculative at this point, unless an insider can verify it for us.

She said they are looking to identify a prominent building that would be easy for people to get to and a place where you might find other organizations involved in international trade.

She said for budget reasons it is not likely it will be in one of the new downtown developments being contemplated unless she can convince a developer of the value of the WTC brand.

>> http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/busines...rld-trade-centre-winnipeg-229053741.html

[JamieDavid Exchange]

Originally Posted by Cyrodill

The article didn't suggest the suburbs, they only suggest it won't be located in a new developement in the core. The location is speculative at this point, unless an insider can verify it for us.

Originally Posted by Biff

Part of the Westin Hotel complex at One Portage.

Biff is an insider........

[cheswick]

Originally Posted by JamieDavid Exchange

Biff is an insider........

Not sure he's more inside than the CEO of WTC Winnipeg. Something may have changed.

[Cyro]

^^ I here you guys and understand, I'll make a post and question a post but it's up to individuals who are in the know on projects to either respond or not. I won't use usenames or question thier knowledge on a project they might be involved in. It's up to them to respond or decide not to.

[yellowghost]

Anybody happen to status of that fortress tower? Or has it quitely faded away into nothingness?

[trueviking]

Originally Posted by bomberjet

So they're looking for freebie office space..

They are not only looking for free space, they expect to be paid for their presence in whatever building they become part of. Their argument is that they will bring tenants and business. They can offer no capital for construction.

They were very close to going into the Asper building. I guess that broke down. There was some talk about it going into the convention centre hotel but there is no ability to pay for the added cost.

I guess this means the office space and probably much of the convention space in the Asper tower will be removed. Will probably cut out 4-5 floors if/when it ever proceeds. Wtc was the tenant for that space. Unless they can find a replacement.

It won't go in the suburbs. I'm sure the comment meant that it won't be in any of the towers already announced.

[trueviking]

Originally Posted by yellowghost

Anybody happen to status of that fortress tower? Or has it quitely faded away into nothingness?

They are budgeting their design (it was way over) and working out the business plan. After that comes the release of the unit plans and sales drive.