Winnipeg | Downtown | 308 Colony St | Solara Flats | 22F | Completed

[Wpg_Guy]

Solara Flats
Location: 308 Colony St
Developer(s): Lotus Equity Partners Inc & UWCRC 2.0
Architect: Cibinel Architecture
Status: U/C
Documents: Zoning Agreement Amendment December 7, 2020
Project Thread: Winnipeg | 308 Colony St | 21F
Media: University charity spearheads innovative approach to affordable housing in Winnipeg-Journal of Commerce
Description: $77 million project, 156,000 square foot, 214 unit, 21-storey mixed-use tower, Canada’s tallest residential Zero Carbon Building with Integrated Photovoltaic Panels that provide return on investment as a energy generating asset while utilizing daylight and reducing cooling loads

Permits: #23-134842 MU-2023-07-27, Construct New. Construct a 22 storey, 162891sqft, Residential multi-use building, with 2 CRUs on the main floor, 214 Apartment units (on 2nd to 21st floor), Mechanical room (on 22nd floor)



The Public Service recommends removal of a 1976 City of Winnipeg caveat (82-6346/1), which limits density on two properties at 308 Colony Street. Removal of this caveat will better align the properties’ development rights with the intent of the Downtown Winnipeg Zoning By-law’s Multiple-Use zoning district and the corresponding zoning regulations. Removal of this caveat will allow a current application for a 20-storey mixed-use development to proceed. The applicant is working with the Urban Design Advisory Committee, the City of Winnipeg Urban Planning and Design Division, and other City of Winnipeg departments to refine designs and ensure alignment with OurWinnipeg and Complete Communities. Timely consideration of this request will ensure that external funding agencies are assured of the City’s support, so development plans may proceed.
Source: http://clkapps.winnipeg.ca/DMIS/ViewPdf.asp?SectionId=583639

[WinCitySparky]

Awesome!!

[bomberjet]

Looks great. The 90 degree parking is interesting. Is Colony being switched to a one way street?

[Boreal]

Yes, please!

[Biff]

Thanks Wpg_Guy.

By Winnipeg standards they really are shoe-horning that building in there. I am almost certain that there will be arguments against it based on its size, but I like that it is larger that the other two buildings.

Other than Graham and Carlton that will end up being one of the densest downtown blocks.

Now we need to work on Graham east of Smith and Donald & St Mary.

[esquire]

I like this project and I think the density it will create is great. But it is interesting that while some downtown blocks haven't changed since the 70s, this short stretch of Colony is basically getting a total vertically-oriented rebuild?!

[buzzg]

All depends on property owners really.

It'd be so interesting to see how quickly some things might change if the city instituted a parking lot tax, or taxed based on development potential. With the recent residential momentum and growth, I start to wonder if we'd see a lot more if parking lots weren't such lucrative passive income.

[DirtWednesday]

Over/Under on this thing being painted white?

[armorand93]

You'd think that whoever did these diagrams, would at the very least, add grayscale and not pull an MS Escher on us... hard to tell depth, or even just being able to tell apart the old apartment towers from the new. Especially for anyone on SSP that hasn't spent significant time in Winnipeg. They will think that the entire block is the development, and not just the modernized box being proposed...

Thats going to be one dense corner... combined with the U of W and art gallery right next door? The merchants and restaurants - pending Pallister gives up his brief streak into Nazism and economic suicide - would come out quite well financially for anyone whose previously invested, set up shop within the local area, and who also haven't been destroyed by the Manitoba government. Would love to see those restaurants, barbers and everything filled to the brim with tens of thousands of customers. Downtown Winnipeg needs more of this, 100 percent.

[bomberjet]

Those images are scans of hard copies.

[buzzg]

It's worth noting that Cibinel is the architect, who was also the local architect on Qaumajuq (Inuit Art Centre) so it's highly likely this will take area context into account well (aka be predominantly white )

[bomberjet]

They also worked with Maltzan on the funky white one. It has to be white.

[Wpg_Guy]

The Manitoba government is also providing up to $2.73 million under the MWCI program to support the development of a new 21-storey commercial and residential apartment at 308 Colony St. in Winnipeg, contributing to downtown revitalization and mixed-used spaces, said Wharton.

The $70.5-million project, being developed by University of Winnipeg Community Renewal Corporation (UWCRC) 2.0, will create 214 apartment units with two office or commercial spaces on the ground floor. The inclusive high-rise community will neighbour Muse Flats and the Downtown Commons, and is being designed for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, in alignment with the goals of Manitoba’s Green Building Program and Green Building Policy.

“As a mixed-use commercial and residential development project that will feature affordable housing units, this new building will revitalize downtown Winnipeg in a socially-inclusive way,” Wharton said. “In addition, it will create opportunities and jobs in retail and construction that will support our province’s ongoing economic recovery.”

Of the 214 new units at 308 Colony, 86 will be set aside for affordable housing including 38 studio and 48 one-bedroom apartments. Just over 20 per cent of all suites will be barrier-free or barrier-free-adaptable, with fully accessible common areas, including an outdoor greenspace terrace, gym, lounge and laundry facilities. The project has also received an additional grant of $577,000 from Efficiency Manitoba toward the installation of an innovative heating system, Wharton noted.

“This groundbreaking development will establish itself as a national frontrunner in sustainability, given its status as a net-zero carbon building with exceptional energy efficiency,” said Jeremy Read, CEO, UWCRC 2.0 Inc. “The construction of the innovative building is set to generate over 200 jobs, during the course of construction, and over 10 jobs on a permanent basis after, fostering economic growth and prosperity in Winnipeg. Furthermore, 308 Colony Street embraces a mixed-income approach which will offer long-term stability, and a brighter future for residents, particularly those residing in affordable units.”

MANITOBA GOVERNMENT INVESTS IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN DOWNTOWN WINNIPEG

[pspeid]

I wonder if we can get the UWCRC to consider all of downtown it's redevelopment zone? They seem to get projects done that check all the boxes that many people would like to see in new builds.

[esquire]

Good stuff. It will be the best looking of the new towers on that block, although the bar isn't forbiddingly high in that regard.

I am impressed by UWCRC's ability to get the job done in a fairly challenging environment.

[bomberjet]

Nice.

The building with the different levels and angles is good in concept. But terrible in execution. Better materials could've made it look nice. But the stucco finish looks like trash.

[Boreal]

If you look really quickly, it appears to be a relative of the BMO/TD tower. Perhaps a 2nd cousin.

[pegster]

As an apartment building, I'm sure it will be successful, but I wonder if ground floor retail is still part of the plan? The UWCRC building next door still has two (?) retail vacancies on its ground floor, and the one business that is there, a clothing store, never seems busy.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by pegster

As an apartment building, I'm sure it will be successful, but I wonder if ground floor retail is still part of the plan? The UWCRC building next door still has two (?) retail vacancies on its ground floor, and the one business that is there, a clothing store, never seems busy.

As I recall, the main level of Downtown Commons is designed to be enclosed when the need arises. So that's basically another vacant CRU.

[peg]

Originally Posted by esquire

As I recall, the main level of Downtown Commons is designed to be enclosed when the need arises. So that's basically another vacant CRU.

That is correct:

"The building is raised 30 feet above grade to accommodate a future expansion to the adjacent Plug-In Gallery..."

from: https://mbuilds.ca/portfolio-items/u-of-w-downtown-commons/

Lets hope they move to build out the CRU's after 308 Colony is complete!