Winnipeg | Elmwood | 545 Watt St | 7F | 565 Watt St | 7F | In Development

[Wpg_Guy]

Two adjacent sites at 565 Watt Street and 545 Watt Street in Winnipeg's Elmwood neighbourhood are part of the City of Winnipeg's Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) initiative. This federal-provincial-municipal program aims to accelerate affordable housing development on underused city-owned land.

In 2024–2025, the City identified several city-owned priority sites (including these Watt Street properties) for redevelopment to address Winnipeg's housing shortage.

The City issued RFPs/solicitations for developers in early 2025, emphasizing mixed-income projects with a significant portion of affordable units (at least 30% meeting city affordability criteria). Developers were selected around July 2025 as part of a broader package of five sites expected to deliver nearly 700 new units city-wide, with over 270 affordable.

The sites were sold or transferred via city processes in 2025. Subdivision and rezoning (from public works to multi-family residential) were approved by the East Kildonan-Transcona Community Committee in November 2025 and by Council in December 2025.

[Wpg_Guy]

The Elmwood Hub
Location: 545 Watt St.
Neighbourhood: Munroe West - Elmwood-East Kildonan Ward (East Kildonan-Transcona Community Committee)
Developer: Elmwood Community Resource Centre | Inuka
Architect: Cibinel Architecture Ltd
Status: In development
Documents:

• Storyboards November 2025 Subdivision and Rezoning-November 20, 2025
• Variance, Plan Approval & Submitted Plans April 24, 2026

Media:

• Developers selected to build affordable housing on City-owned properties-The City of Winnipeg Jul 2025
• Innovative and inclusive approach to transform five Winnipeg properties into 700 housing units-Winnipeg Free Press Jul 2025
• The Elmwood Hub YouTube Mar 2026

Description: The Elmwood Community Resource Centre (ECRC), current leaseholder of the City-owned property at 545 Watt Street, is developing a new mixed-use neighbourhood hub on Proposed Lot 1 — a one-acre site (43,932 sq ft) selected for affordable housing through the City of Winnipeg’s Housing Accelerator Fund Land Enhancement Office. As part of the project, the City has subdivided the land and rezoned it from R1-S to CMU (Mature Communities PDO-1 Commercial Mixed Use). The existing one-storey building will be demolished to make way for a new 78-foot-tall, mixed-use building that will serve as ECRC’s expanded home while incorporating approximately 115 mixed-income residential units above the ground floor. Of these units, 46 will be affordable (at or below 80% of median market rent), 18 will be barrier-free, and 20 units on the third floor will provide second-stage housing for survivors of gender-based violence. The residential mix includes studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom units, supported by resident amenities such as a small gym, indoor games area, library, and sauna. The ground floor will house ECRC’s community spaces, including a gym, classroom, multipurpose room for youth programs and events, and a commercial kitchen. ECRC, a nonprofit Family Resource Centre with over 40 staff (70% from Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour communities, many of whom are local to Elmwood), currently serves more than 6,000 community members annually through programs focused on mental health, addiction recovery, immigrant settlement, employment training, and support for gender-based violence survivors. The development includes 71 vehicle parking stalls (five accessible), 77 bicycle parking spaces, and generous landscaping featuring 19 trees, 110 shrubs, and additional plantings. Outdoor amenities will include balconies, a pedestrian plaza with seating, a fenced play area, a healing garden, a contemplative garden, and a gathering plaza. This project will significantly enhance housing options in Elmwood while strengthening vital community services in a well-designed, pedestrian-friendly mixed-use building. This development is one of five sites selected for sale or lease to build affordable housing on City-owned properties through the Housing Accelerator Funds Land Enhancement Office.
Permits:







• Video Link

[Wpg_Guy]

565 Watt St.
Location: 565-569 Watt St.
Neighbourhood: Munroe West - Elmwood-East Kildonan Ward (East Kildonan-Transcona Community Committee)
Developer: Futuremark Development
Architect: 5468796 Architecture Inc
Status: In development
Documents:        

• Subdivision and Rezoning-November 20, 2025
• storyboards-November 2025
• Report and plans-May 13, 2026
• Variance, Plan Approval, Submitted Plans & Submission – June 22, 2026

Media:

• Developers selected to build affordable housing on City-owned properties-The City of Winnipeg Jul 2025
• Innovative and inclusive approach to transform five Winnipeg properties into 700 housing units-Winnipeg Free Press Jul 2025
• City to look into possible swap of properties on Main, Watt streets–CBC News Manitoba May 19, 2026

Renderings | Project Thread
Description: Futuremark Development is poised to lead the construction of a mixed-income apartment complex on Proposed Lot 2 at 565-569 Watt Street, a 2.28-acre (99,044 square feet) site. The City of Winnipeg has subdivided the land and rezoned it from R1-S Mature Communities PDO- to RMF-L Mature Communities PDO-1 Residential Multi-Family (Large) district in the fall of 2025. Upon approval, the land was transferred to the developers, existing buildings will be demolished, and construction will soon begin on two 7-storey buildings delivering 241 residential units, with 30% affordable homes, with primary vehicle access from Watt Street and additional parking via the paved lane, creating a vibrant, inclusive community hub. This development is one of five sites selected for sale or lease to build affordable housing on City-owned properties through the Housing Accelerator Funds Land Enhancement Office.
Permits: 565 | 569

[jim_bred]

Really like the rounded balcony on the side.

Great location for some density.

[neutroniks]

Wow, that's really great and I like how it's different from the recent ground scrapers we've been getting.

[bomberjet]

Nice. Site 2 is quite the building(s). All the buildings are connected and have multiple elevated walkway connections.

[Wpg_Guy]

• Video Link

[Wpg_Guy]

Planned Elmwood Hub project combines 115 mixed-income housing units, social supports, programs
Joyanne Pursaga
Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026


CIBINEL ARCHITECTURE

Elmwood Hub will replace the Elmwood Community Resource Centre at 545 Watt St. with 115 housing units and on-site support services.

A long-awaited project will aim to add 115 new homes in Elmwood, with on-site social programs to support some of its more vulnerable residents.

The $60-million Elmwood Hub is envisioned as a seven-floor, mixed income multi-family building at 545 Watt St., which was initially set aside for housing through Winnipeg’s housing accelerator fund program.

New details of the work that will replace the Elmwood Community Resource Centre and expand upon the centre’s programs are now being shared.

“It’s a transformational change for our community, and Winnipeg in general. It’s exciting,” said Nina Condo, executive director of the resource centre.

If all proceeds as planned, the space will include a parkade and first-floor service centre, with housing on the remaining floors. One floor will be dedicated to providing homes and services for youth transitioning out of provincial care, and another will offer the same to people who have experienced gender-based violence.

“Those two groups will be the priority for the (homes) but we will provide support to everyone who applies. Forty per cent of the housing is affordable rent-geared-to-income housing and the rest of the (units) are market rent,” said Condo.

The “deeply affordable” rents would match a portion of the tenant’s income, though exact amounts have not yet been confirmed, she said.

The groups prioritized for housing units are at risk of unique challenges. For example, 90 per cent of participants in the centre’s existing youth employment program are aging out of provincial care, said Condo.

“We’ve heard directly from them that it’s difficult. They’re more at risk of becoming homeless when services aren’t put together for them,” she said.

While some of units are designed to provide transitional homes for just a few years, residents allotted those spots could move into other longer-term apartments in the same building as their lives become more stable.

Tenants who need help would have access to gender-based violence intervention, counselling and programs addressing substance use, youth employment, adult literacy, academic support and recreation.

The facility will include a dedicated family room for Child and Family Services visits, classrooms, community kitchens, a half-court gymnasium, recreation space, community gardens, a cultural room to support traditional practices and children’s play areas.

A partnership with the University of Manitoba’s Rady College of Medicine WISH Clinic will allow med students to provide some health services at the site.

The plans reflect needs in the community, said Anne Oserin-Pinnock, co-director of programs for the Elmwood Community Resource Centre.

“We’re seeing more people coming through our doors with increasingly complex concerns — housing instability, family violence, substance use. So, our hub is about creating a place where there’s housing, support and community that are coming together in one space,” she said. “It’s not just a place to live, but a place where people can really feel safe and supported and that they belong.”

The project will aim to attract a diverse group of renters, with various income levels and backgrounds, she said.

The city donated land for the project, as part of its federal housing accelerator fund initiatives. The resource centre was originally a tenant at the site, which was city owned.

The area’s city councillor said the project would meet a significant need for housing and social services.

“They really know these communities, they know what sorts of supports they need. And we’re starting to have a better understanding… of the importance of wrap-around supports,” said Elmwood-East Kildonan Coun. Emma Durand-Wood.

”It’s not just a roof over your ahead. It’s what… you need to come out of a transitional or a challenging stage in your life and to move forward and thrive. They’re going to really tailor the supports that are offered to these residents. These folks are really going to be able to build community.”

The centre is now seeking government funding and private donations to help pay for the construction.

The hope is to obtain a building permit by September and begin demolishing the existing resource centre in October. If those targets are met, the project’s leaders hope to begin construction on the new building in spring and complete it in 2028.


CIBINEL ARCHITECTURE

The $60-million Elmwood Hub is envisioned as a seven-floor, mixed income multi-family building.


CIBINEL ARCHITECTURE

Tenants who need help would have access to gender-based violence intervention, counselling and programs addressing substance use, youth employment, adult literacy, academic support and recreation.

Winnipeg Free Press

[bomberjet]

Splitting hairs, but I don't think this development is actually in Elmwood. The lines of Elmwood, EK and NK have changed a bit over the years., and depending upon who you are and what you identify as lol but this is in EK. The boundary of Elmwood is the back lane on Harbison I believe.

[cllew]

Originally Posted by bomberjet

Splitting hairs, but I don't think this development is actually in Elmwood. The lines of Elmwood, EK and NK have changed a bit over the years., and depending upon who you are and what you identify as lol but this is in EK. The boundary of Elmwood is the back lane on Harbison I believe.

Correct the legal EK Winnipeg dividing line pre unicity was the back lane between Harbison and Larson Ave east to the current greenway path and then crossing that the back lane of Harbison and Nottingham avenues.

This development is going in where the former EK Police Station, EK Fire station and Public works yard was located.

[pspeid]

Question for the group. We're seeing statements like this about the newer development discussed above.

"The “deeply affordable” rents would match a portion of the tenant’s income, though exact amounts have not yet been confirmed, she said."

I wonder how these developments avoid abuse by wealthier people who want to take advantage of a program designed for people with limited income? I can't help but think of things I've read about billionaires who pay hardly any taxes because their official "income" is just a small fraction of what they actually live on. What stops the offspring of some wealthy city lawyer or businessman abusing the system by claiming a pittance of an income somewhere, all the while they are being supported by daddy and mommy with an off-the-books "allowance"?

[trueviking]

Manitoba Housing monitors compliance of rent geared to income programs offered through not for profit developers. The province provides the development incentive and has wage threshold criteria that people must meet to qualify for a home.

[ColdRain&Snow]

Originally Posted by pspeid

Question for the group. We're seeing statements like this about the newer development discussed above.

"The “deeply affordable” rents would match a portion of the tenant’s income, though exact amounts have not yet been confirmed, she said."

I wonder how these developments avoid abuse by wealthier people who want to take advantage of a program designed for people with limited income? I can't help but think of things I've read about billionaires who pay hardly any taxes because their official "income" is just a small fraction of what they actually live on. What stops the offspring of some wealthy city lawyer or businessman abusing the system by claiming a pittance of an income somewhere, all the while they are being supported by daddy and mommy with an off-the-books "allowance"?

There is an income cutoff for Manitoba Housing and other "deeply affordable" projects that are funded by the Province of Manitoba. For example, the income cutoff for a 1-bedroom apartment is $46,000/year. I've linked the income cutoffs below.

https://www.gov.mb.ca/housing/progs/pil.html

Now, as you mentioned someone who is ultra wealthy (multimillionaire) could potentially fake their income by living off bank loans or similar. But this is a total non-issue since anyone who has that much money doesn't want to live in a social housing apartment. Like if you $10M to your name, why would you want to live in a 1-bedroom apartment when you could easily just buy a $1M house. In order to qualify for the larger apartments you have to have a family. No multimillionaire is going to raise their kids in social housing.

[pspeid]

Originally Posted by ColdRain&Snow

T

Now, as you mentioned someone who is ultra wealthy (multimillionaire) could potentially fake their income by living off bank loans or similar. But this is a total non-issue since anyone who has that much money doesn't want to live in a social housing apartment. Like if you $10M to your name, why would you want to live in a 1-bedroom apartment when you could easily just buy a $1M house. In order to qualify for the larger apartments you have to have a family. No multimillionaire is going to raise their kids in social housing.

I was thinking of a couple of scenarios, not necessarily with multimillionaires, but people of above average wealth.

My first scenario would be with someone who wants to make out like their entitled kid is "standing on their own two feet" and "starting from the bottom", while really they're just kind of play acting by living in a deeply affordable apartment. I suppose the kid might think they're being clever by "slumming" in an affordable apartment.

The other scenario would be the same entitled person of wealth who decides a "deeply affordable" apartment is undeserved and tries to keep the people who actually need the space.

Both scenarios rely on the pettiness and vindictiveness of some people, so I think I'm not totally being unrealistic.

[Mr Tall Forehead]

Golden rule of policy making: design a program for the 99%, don’t get caught up in the weeds of the 1%.

Or in the scenario of an uber rich person wanting to skirt the rules so they could save some coin while teaching their deadbeat kid a lesson by living in social housing, the 0.0001%.

[trueviking]

Are there two different projects in this thread?

[cllew]

Originally Posted by trueviking

Are there two different projects in this thread?

Two different projects on the same city site.

The north project (565 Watt) is the one proposed by Futuremark Development

South Project (545 Watt) is by Elmwood Community Resource Centre

[trueviking]

Ah. Thanks. Got it.

[pspeid]

Originally Posted by Mr Tall Forehead

Golden rule of policy making: design a program for the 99%, don’t get caught up in the weeds of the 1%.

Or in the scenario of an uber rich person wanting to skirt the rules so they could save some coin while teaching their deadbeat kid a lesson by living in social housing, the 0.0001%.

Don't get me wrong, I think having deeply affordable housing is an excellent idea, and I'd never advocate against it. I was just wondering how they determine who qualifies, and what protections there are against abuse of the system.