Winnipeg | James Avenue Pumping Station | ?M | 6F - 4F | Phase 1 | U/C - Page 28

Wpg_Guy · #**541** Posted **Nov 26, 2019, 5:26 PM**

Nov 15: The first walkway slabs for the Pumphouse being cast in a nice warm shop. We will ship them out and install next week.
https://twitter.com/HolzPrefab/statu...853302272?s=20

rrskylar · #**542** Posted **Nov 26, 2019, 7:13 PM**

The horrific looking condo tower should have gone on the back side of the pumphouse building and out of sight, man Holz is involved in some ugly looking stuff!

Kris22 · #**543** Posted **Nov 26, 2019, 7:22 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by rrskylar

The horrific looking condo tower should have gone on the back side of the pumphouse building and out of sight, man Holz is involved in some ugly looking stuff!

Remember there are plans for a phase 2 behind the pumphouse:

I personally don't mind the design; it's a little clunky and awkward but they were required to have it up on stilts so the pumphouse facade remained visible.

rrskylar · #**544** Posted **Nov 26, 2019, 7:26 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kris22

Remember there are plans for a phase 2 behind the pumphouse:

I personally don't mind the design; it's a little clunky and awkward but they were required to have it up on stilts so the pumphouse facade remained visible.

They should have just gone higher on the backside condo, obliterating the view of the facade of the pumphouse is about all they've done with the horrific looking abomination on the front! The main appeal of the pumphouse was the front facade and now it's hidden! Considering what else was built along waterfront another shitty looking building should fit in just fine!

headhorse · #**545** Posted **Nov 26, 2019, 8:55 PM**

I get that this building isn't to everyone tastes, but they are building hundreds of architectural abominations on productive farmland at the edge of our cities... we should focus our energy on that garbage

Kris22 · #**546** Posted **Nov 26, 2019, 8:56 PM**

I agree that they didn't meet the goal of keeping the front facade visible. It's half-hidden, rather awkwardly. But keep in mind the pumphouse site had many rules the developers had to meet and many failed proposals. So I think this is a case where we should be happy that we are getting: Redeveloped and restored pumphouse building, high-density usage of the site, and most importantly (IMO), residential infill. That area still needs to hit a critical mass of residents in order to support more businesses. All of this outweighs the strange and clunky design, for me at least.

esquire · #**547** Posted **Nov 26, 2019, 9:12 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by headhorse

I get that this building isn't to everyone tastes, but they are building hundreds of architectural abominations on productive farmland at the edge of our cities... we should focus our energy on that garbage

Good reality check here.

buzzg · #**548** Posted **Nov 26, 2019, 9:30 PM**

It's unfortunate that the best view of this building will be hard to see as it faces Waterfront, and will be blocked by the cantilevered walkway from the busy side of the street.

Heard phase 2 is confirmed and will be starting construction in late spring.

Jeff · #**549** Posted **Nov 26, 2019, 10:23 PM**

I love the streetwall this clunker has given to waterfront drive, though.

rrskylar · #**550** Posted **Nov 26, 2019, 10:46 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by headhorse

I get that this building isn't to everyone tastes, but they are building hundreds of architectural abominations on productive farmland at the edge of our cities... we should focus our energy on that garbage

Fair enough but that's exactly what they are building here in a location that shouldn't be "subjected" to that garbage as you call it!

Hecate · #**551** Posted **Nov 26, 2019, 11:05 PM**

This design should never have been allowed. It really ruins the view of the pumphouse which is very much an architecturally interesting building. It creates a dark unwelcoming presence along a stretch of street with lots of light and sun exposure. I don’t mind the phase two part, off to the back, but the space in front of the pumphouse would have made for a perfect little performance space, or a patio area for food carts, or a small walk up restaurant, or even a small community garden. Maybe even a fountain or a nice large public sculpture. It’s really unfortunate this was allowed.

OTA in Winnipeg · #**552** Posted **Nov 26, 2019, 11:09 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff

I love the streetwall this clunker has given to waterfront drive, though.

Definitely.

Wpg_Guy · #**553** Posted **Nov 26, 2019, 11:10 PM**

I really like this development it’s very imposing walking by, and I rather like it’s unique features of being on stilts.

Jeff · #**554** Posted **Nov 26, 2019, 11:15 PM**

are people really bemoaning the crappy setback courtyard area we had before that was home to that pile of gravel "art" installation two summers ago? LOLLLL

esquire · #**555** Posted **Nov 27, 2019, 12:07 AM**

I'm with Jeff, I'm not going to say it's a beauty but it's decent, and the street wall it forms is good too. So thumbs up from me.

Pinus · #**556** Posted **Nov 27, 2019, 12:13 AM**

I was on the fence at first, but am now starting to warm up to it. Yeah, the facade of the Pumphouse facing the street is in an awkward position, but we will all live and this development will be a success.

rrskylar · #**557** Posted **Nov 27, 2019, 5:12 AM**

Some of the comments here are astounding, "sure the building on stilts looks like shit but we like it" ," too bad it obliterates the facade of the historic building we wanted to protect, but that's progress"

wow!

LilZebra · #**558** Posted **Nov 27, 2019, 8:46 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kris22

I agree that they didn't meet the goal of keeping the front facade visible. It's half-hidden, rather awkwardly. But keep in mind the pumphouse site had many rules the developers had to meet and many failed proposals. So I think this is a case where we should be happy that we are getting: Redeveloped and restored pumphouse building, high-density usage of the site, and most importantly (IMO), residential infill. That area still needs to hit a critical mass of residents in order to support more businesses. All of this outweighs the strange and clunky design, for me at least.

Should have been designated 100% small local retail with no tower, or a smaller tower.

Again, why can't we copy Tokyo, Japan and make pedestrianized, safe, well lit, shopping districts with massive amounts of people, and a massive transit station nearby?

The Exchange District Wiki page mentioned something about a certain TV advocating for such on McDermot. Why can't we do something close to the former Pumphouse like that too?

Biff · #**559** Posted **Nov 27, 2019, 2:33 PM**

^^^Retail hasn't been able to gain traction there yet. Hopefully when these units and the new Great West Metals site are occupied retail will come.

I think you need to give up on your "why can't we copy Tokyo"....I mean, come on. I don't believe there could be a more unrelatable comparison. Tokyo has more people than Canada. They can support pretty much anything they wanted. Comparing a city of 35,000,000 people to a city of 800,000 is like asking why Niverville can't build 20-30 storey buildings like here in Winnipeg.

ywgwalk · #**560** Posted **Nov 27, 2019, 3:49 PM**

The pumphouse apartment is starting to look way nicer and way more appropriate for Waterfront Drive than the Sky condo beside it. (And I live in Sky)