Downtown looking up

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This article was published 14/05/2023 (875 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A large, collective sigh of relief can be heard by those in and around the building at 300 Main St.

More than six years after the project was conceived, the construction of Winnipeg’s tallest building, a $140 million 40-storey apartment tower near the iconic Portage and Main intersection, is move-in ready.

Originally announced to be completed in the spring of 2020, the 400-unit block will begin filling with tenants on July 1.

“One of the most exciting aspects of this development is the prospect of building up the success and the popularity of Winnipeg’s downtown area,” said Jeff Lukin, director of marketing for the Winnipeg-based developer, Artis Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), in an email statement.

“As we encourage more and more people to choose the city’s urban core, the demand for high-quality housing and amenities continues to grow. This development is poised to meet that demand head-on, providing an unparalleled living experience in its luxury, convenience, and community-focused design.”

Lukin pointed to a ripple effect from the pandemic as a key factor for the building’s delayed completion.

“Developing a 40-storey apartment tower is a complex undertaking under any circumstances, but doing so during a pandemic has presented a unique set of challenges,” he said.

“As many countries closed their borders and implemented lockdowns, supply chain disruptions were inevitable, leading to delays and increased costs. The need for social distancing and health and safety protocols required implementing new procedures and added significant challenges to completing the project.”

Included in the construction process was a $35 million recladding of 360 Main St., the neighbouring 30-storey office tower formerly known as the Trizec Building.

While Lukin assured the interest in the new apartment suites has been “overwhelming” during the building’s pre-leasing process, he would not disclose how many units will be filled when tenants begin moving in. He did, however, share that the demand for its modest apartment layouts has been remarkable, with 95 per cent of them already reserved.

The latest price points detail a one-bedroom, 720-square-foot unit starting at $1,765 per month. The current 1,041-square-foot, two-bedroom unit on the 10th floor will go for $2,244 a month.

The building’s completion is certainly timely, as its tenants will move in mere weeks after the city unveiled its new plans to revitalize Winnipeg’s downtown through its preliminary version of CentrePlan 2050. The plan, announced Thursday, has set a target of at least 350 new residential units being built in the city’s core each year until 2030, followed by 500 annually after that.

The proposal parlays novel living options with new green space, safe crossings for foot traffic, street trees, pedestrian lighting, on-street parking and narrow road lanes meant to help slow traffic — all in the name of attracting new residents and visitors to the city centre.

The apartments at 300 Main St. are certainly a welcomed start.

“Having people here 24-7 adds vibrancy, helps support the local businesses here, and the more people that are here, the safer it is for everyone,” said Pamela Hardman, director of marketing for Downtown Winnipeg BIZ, in an email statement. “We know residential growth is key to having people here beyond the nine-to-five. We’re thrilled to welcome the first tenants moving into 300 Main, and to see the building help add to the residential population downtown.”

Nearby businesses share a common feeling of excitement for the number of patrons that will be migrating to downtown this summer. Earls Kitchen and Bar is the most prominent restaurant dwelling on the building’s main level, which houses ample commercial space. The restaurant has waited two years for prospective customers to join the building.

“We’re so excited,” they began in a statement from management. “It’s going to be really great to have this building open up. Obviously, there’s been some bumps in the road, but the 300 Main building — the way it looks and the way it feels and all the businesses in it — the hustle and bustle that we’re going to see, it’s going to be great.”

“I think it’s going to change the game for downtown Winnipeg.”

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A sense of relief is echoed by Mike Publicover, who opened Stoneworks Bistro in Winnipeg Square in May 2022.

“It was a big reason why I decided on opening a location in Winnipeg Square was the units above us,” he said.

Now that residents are moving in, Publicover continued, he’s exploring the idea of expanding his business to his original idea — an at-home meal package service.

“With 400 units above us, that’s sustainable.”

jfreysam@freepress.mb.ca

Joshua Frey-Sam
Reporter

Josh Frey-Sam reports on sports and business at the Free Press. Josh got his start at the paper in 2022, just weeks after graduating from the Creative Communications program at Red River College. He reports primarily on amateur teams and athletes in sports. Read more about Josh.

Every piece of reporting Josh produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.