The Chicago of the North

[patriotizzy]

Originally Posted by Bedhead

They don't make them like that any more!

Love this detail:

I was just about to point that out

[Rumors]

What a fantastic thread.

[Thundertubs]

Winnipeg could change it's name to Ft. Awesome.

That is a wonderfully solid downtown.

[trueviking]

Originally Posted by montréaliste

It is soothing and well proportioned. 22 looks like a hotel, a hell of a nice building.

22 is an outstanding building....the union bank tower....its a national historic site....was the tallest building in canada for 2 years and that flagpole was the highest in the british commonwealth...had the fastest elevator in canada and was the first steel frame 'skyscraper' in western canada....built immediately after and by the same group that built the flat iron in new york....it was the first building in canada to use the modern construction system of a general contractor...as opposed to the architect organizing construction.

it is currently being restored and turned into a student residence and a cooking school with restaurants in the banking hall.

outstanding photos flar....i love the perspective correction.

you make it look like a real city....frustrates many of us that our civic leaders do not see the value in these buildings and are letting them be demolished one by one.....the area is experiencing a bit of a residential boom....finally.

i love the burton cummings in a jets jersey poster.

[HHC]

Wow... wonderful stuff Winnipeg! Most underrated city in NA for sure architecture wise. Are they making an effort to restore those boarded up buildings?

[trueviking]

^ yes. Very much so. Six or seven years ago the area was empty. There are roughly 200 historic buildings and half of them were vacant then. The population of the area was a few hundred and there were only a handful or retail shops (mostly antiques).

Right now there are 10 buildings undergoing loft conversions representing 5-600 units. There are proposals for hundreds more as well as hotel, educational and office space. Trendy shops are starting to populate the neighbourhood as well.

It's a slow process in Winnipeg but the heritage areas of downtown are finally beginning to blossom. It's got a long way to go but change is snowballing. Today there are really only a handful of totally empty buildings (generally on the fringes of the area) and many of those have proposed development.

Sadly we have lost a few of these buildings to short sighted civic government but there is a growing appreciation for the resource they provide. Give it 5 more years and it could finally begin realizing it's potential.

[MikeOnt]

i always enjoyed walking thru the exchange when i lived in the peg. its as quiet and dead as it looks though.

[xzmattzx]

Great pictures! I've seen some pictures of this neighborhood but I don't remember a thorough tour. It's great to see such a large concentration of late 1800s and early 1900s buildings and highrises.

[roccerfeller]

Awesome pics! One of the best exchange threads I've seen!

Come back in the summer time and do it again!!

[i_am_hydrogen]

I never knew this area existed. Fascinating shots.

[diskojoe]

Getting back to the bricks eh. Good stuff!

[The Jabroni]

Wow flar, you really captured the Exchange District to the ends of the Earth on this one. At one of your pics, I didn't even know there was a Safeway there at one time!

Please, come back in the summer and see the full bustling activity, especially around the afternoon and towards the evening. Totally different atmosphere than this time of year.

Excellent pics, man!!

[trueviking]

Originally Posted by The Jabroni

I didn't even know there was a Safeway there at one time!

that was not a store...it was the head office of canada safeway....before it moved to calgary.

[ShadowMaster]

Is the Peg Canada's most 'dangerous' city ? Just a question, since I've been told in the past by a few Canadians.

[MolsonExport]

I recall walking around the exchange district in my last trip of 2004. I was struck by the amazing potential (And also, the rehabilitation was already well under way). Winnipeg's downtown has wonderful bones, and now there is some flesh growing as well.

[volguus zildrohar]

Chicago...a lot of these remind me of North Jersey cities - Elizabeth, Newark.

Fantastic detail everywhere. Definitely up my alley. Thank you!

[Okayyou]

Wow, Winnipeg has some great looking streets & buildings. Great shots.

[Prometheus]

Winnipeg has a treasure there. Hopefully, the area will see a period of restoration in the future.

[flar]

Thanks for the great responses, the Exchange was truly a pleasure to explore.


"The Chicago of the North" refers more to Winnipeg's early status as the centre of transportation, commerce and trade for Western Canada than its look and feel, although some of these buildings were designed by architects from Chicago and New York (I think Winnipeg resembles Detroit actually--not this area specifically but the city as a whole--though many disagree with me). As the west opened up, Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton have grown faster than Winnipeg.

Originally Posted by CRE8IVEDESTRUCTION

These are stunning! The detail of sharpness in your photos is amazing. What lens did you use if I may ask?

Tokina 12-24mm and Nikon 16-85mm.

Originally Posted by trueviking

you make it look like a real city....frustrates many of us that our civic leaders do not see the value in these buildings and are letting them be demolished one by one.....the area is experiencing a bit of a residential boom....finally.

I actually found the opposite, I can't believe how intact this neighbourhood is, and how well maintained some of these buildings are despite being empty. Trust me it could be a lot worse (I'm thinking of one Canadian city in particular that has lost about 80% of its historic building stock and shows no signs of slowing down)

Originally Posted by ShadowMaster

Is the Peg Canada's most 'dangerous' city ? Just a question, since I've been told in the past by a few Canadians.

Hmm, I was warned about this, but I can tell you I walked all over the downtown area alone at night with my camera and had no problems.

[kwoldtimer]

What a wonderful "Flar quality" thread of an underappreciated national treasure! Thanks.

I have to admit that, based on the title, I opened the thread expecting to see pics of Toronto! I feel better educated by your tour, Flar.