Winnipeg Construction X

[Kris22]

Originally Posted by Biff

So it looks like that old used car dealership and the small single storey buildings on Portage between Lipton and Banning will be coming down in favor of a new 2 storey block long building.

The building is right up to the sidewalk with parking in the back. This is opposite DeLucas directly west of the Shoppers. Down side is that it doesn't look like a stunner. Hard to tell what the finishes will be, but my first impression is your typical office park style building like in the Terracon sites.

Do you know if the new building will be subdivided into small units? I hope so...it would be a shame to lose 5 small businesses and end up with a block-long credit union or something like that.

[1ajs]

Originally Posted by WinCitySparky

Nice. I live on Banning south of Ellice and I am loving the moves being made in this area lately. Sucks that you say it won’t be pretty but at least it sounds proper for the street. I used to spend every Saturday for many years in the sticky bun shoppe that used to be in the center unit. The building is definitely crumbling inside and out. Will be great to see something fresh even if it’s basic AF.

didnt food for folks take over johnies buns space?

[esquire]

It sounds like a change for the better, but it is vexing that just about every new development on Portage between downtown and Polo Park from the last 40+ years has tended to be super drab looking. The infamous "tree" building, the provincial office building across the street, the new Peguis development, the condos on the Palomino site, you name it.

I'm not expecting prize winning design along that strip but you'd think we could get something at least a little better.

[buzzg]

What is this tree building you speak of

[OTA in Winnipeg]

Just realized for the first time that Ruby and Banning are the same street. Took only forty years!

[esquire]

Originally Posted by buzzg

What is this tree building you speak of

The one in tree's avatar... the WRHA building on the north side of Portage near Broadway.

[buzzg]

Ahh

[1ajs]

Originally Posted by buzzg

Ahh

broadway and portage

[WinCitySparky]

Originally Posted by 1ajs

didnt food for folks take over johnies buns space?

Yeah

[Jeff]

Will be sad to lose that 100+ year old little CRU buidling at the corner. Seemed to always be full with nice start-up, colourful local businesses. The rest of the block screams redevelopment so i guess that might even out the loss of this building in the end...

[Biff]

Originally Posted by Kris22

Do you know if the new building will be subdivided into small units? I hope so...it would be a shame to lose 5 small businesses and end up with a block-long credit union or something like that.

Looks like a multiple unit building. Lots of “Signage” labels on the elevation drawings.

[trueviking]

That’s great news. More storefronts the better.

I love the Tree Building. Like the Brutalism of the PSB, it may not be beautiful but there is a power in its starkness and it perfectly represents an important era in the history of modern architecture. One day that drab acrylic stucco, industrial concrete block, opaque black curtain wall entry and perfect monotony of the punched windows on the facade will be nominated for heritage protection.

[Boreal]

Originally Posted by trueviking

That’s great news. More storefronts the better.

I love the Tree Building. Like the Brutalism of the PSB, it may not be beautiful but there is a power in its starkness and it perfectly represents an important era in the history of modern architecture. One day that drab acrylic stucco, industrial concrete block, opaque black curtain wall entry and perfect monotony of the punched windows on the facade will be nominated for heritage protection.

On the bright side, with Winnipeg ever-growing as a film production city, that building could star as the head office, nay, home of a post apocalyptic antagonist. Maybe if Austin Powers runs a 4th cut...

[Kris22]

Originally Posted by Biff

Looks like a multiple unit building. Lots of “Signage” labels on the elevation drawings.

Good news, thanks

[Wpg_Guy]

[optimusREIM]

The new windows are a massive improvement, but I cant help but feel it's sort of missing something.

[GreyGarden]

The new windows are a giant improvement. I always used to think those tiny windows made it look like a jail. Now it kind of just looks like a perfectly good Canadian government building lol. Those windows are also a nice size. The views of the Hyrdo building and TNS will be really nice.

Fingers crossed they eventually do something with the surface parking lot.

[pspeid]

Originally Posted by GreyGarden

Fingers crossed they eventually do something with the surface parking lot.

Wasn't that location supposed to be a new WCLC headquarters building that was cancelled when Pallister came into office? Does that mean the province owns it or it was never owned by the province and was just going to be purchased for the proposed structure?

[buzzg]

Originally Posted by pspeid

Wasn't that location supposed to be a new WCLC headquarters building that was cancelled when Pallister came into office? Does that mean the province owns it or it was never owned by the province and was just going to be purchased for the proposed structure?

Was supposed to be Liquor & Lotteries. When it got cancelled, it was sold along with the Medical Arts building to Timbercreek. I've heard they do intend to develop it eventually, but not imminent plans as of yet.

I hope the podium gets a complete overhaul once the tower work is done.

[esquire]

^ Yeah, I'm neither here nor there with respect to the existing tower. The current state is fine, more would be better (podium). But I'm not expecting miracles with regard to the Medical Arts Building.

The real measure of that development, to me at least, is how soon they can get something built on the surface lot. Even a 3 storey building would be a huge improvement.