Apartment, commercial space proposal for historic Exchange buildings moves a step forward

A proposed apartment complex and commercial space at the site of two historic buildings in the Exchange District cleared another hurdle Tuesday.

Council’s property and development committee voted to uphold a variance and partial heritage designation to add a nine-storey addition and 114 units on top of each of the existing heritage buildings located at 291 Bannatyne Ave.

The committee originally approved a variance asking for reductions in the loading and parking stall width requirements, as well as increases in the building height maximum.

Fifteen people appealed the variance for the project at the property, which is home to the historic Sanford Building and Maw’s Garage.

Gregory Evans, an area resident speaking on behalf of the appellant Alan Tate, expressed concerns about potential damage to surrounding buildings that comes with the development, as well as diminishing the area’s historical charm.

“We do not want to sacrifice historic details for the sake of densification,” he told the committee.

Several other residents spoke in support of the heritage designation appeal, saying the new build would compromise the area as it stands.

In a report presented to the committee, the public service recommended the decision be upheld and that the development proceed.

“The proposed variances will enable the applicant to rehabilitate multiple commercial storefronts on Princess Street while creating a new commercial storefront on King Street by restoring the heritage building and further activating the street frontage,” the report authored by city planner Kurtis Kowalke said.

“The development will also bring additional residents to the Exchange District which will assist in efforts to create a critical mass of population to support commercial activity in the area.”

Developer Ryan Ridge with Ridgix Building Solutions Inc. detailed his plan to keep the development’s facade consistent with the area with brick overlays and punched windows.

He also discussed his plan to develop the commercial space on the ground floor into a public market.

The appeals were denied in both circumstances by a vote of 3-0.

The project must now receive a second heritage designation permit, which includes a geotechnical analysis, before development can begin.

The Sanford Building, built in 1890 at the height of Winnipeg’s construction and real estate boom, is currently home to the Exchange Event Centre. In 1941 a fire destroyed the upper three floors and only the ground floor remains.

Maw’s Garage, built in 1903, currently exists as a parkade.

Chris Graves, owner of the Kings Head Pub attached to Maw’s Garage, said while the project means his bar will lose parking spaces, he remains excited about the development.

“If we can agree that the structure will be sound and that our buildings will be sound, I think we can all agree that this is a phenomenal project, and I think we all should be excited about this,” he told the committee. “We are willing to make those sacrifices to be able to have developments like this downtown.”

Cindy Tugwell, executive director of Heritage Winnipeg, applauded the developer’s consultations with area businesses and local organizations.

The head of the heritage organization said without developer intervention, buildings such as Maw’s are at risk of collapse.

“It sort of falls suit from 110 years ago, when they used to take the buildings, they used to build them and then add additions. And you can see many of them in the Exchange where the cornices have changed and they’ve added three and four floors. This is very much in line with that,” she said.

Area councillor and committee member Vivian Santos was in support of the project, but said she wants to see more resident consultation on similar projects moving forward.

nicole.buffie@freepress.mb.ca