Transit-focused high-rise project banks on access, connectivity

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This article was published 28/06/2024 (468 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

An empty Winnipeg Transit bus parked near construction flashed a new message: Carrington.

Near the driver’s side, in a lot by Jubilee Station, crews upheaved ground to build Winnipeg’s new rapid transit-focused high-rise apartment.

It’s the beginning in a series of complexes close to city bus routes Carrington Real Estate plans to create.

“(This) is the very type of project that we as a council and city envision,” Mayor Scott Gillingham said after a sod-turning ceremony Friday in Fort Rouge. “It’s these types of infill projects and the densification that we really need to be building.”

Carrington Real Estate ballparks its 16-storey tower, and a three-storey townhouse, will be complete in 2026. The site — 25 Station Pl. — will have 156 units, including 10 townhomes.

Construction on a similar apartment block across the street is scheduled to begin next year, according to Russell Krepart, a partner at MMP Architects. The architecture firm is working with Carrington on six transit-focused projects in the coming years.

In total, Carrington will develop some 350 units near Jubilee Station, Krepart said.

“We’re in a really dynamic area of the city,” he added. “Connectivity to those networks is really, really important.”

Carrington has been eyeing bus routes elsewhere: it plans to build in Fulton Grove (Parker lands); near the intersection of Donald Street and St. Mary Avenue, by the Graham Avenue transit way; along Provencher Boulevard and in South Osborne, Krepart relayed.

The buildings will share a “similar design language” — one focused on public transportation access, efficiency and design quality, Krepart detailed.

On Thursday, city council approved a Winnipeg Transit route overhaul, in which buses will run on a new spine-and-feeder system.

It’s a positive thing, viewed Jared Carrington, president of Carrington Real Estate.

“Stronger transit and more frequency in transit lines is ideal for our tenant base,” he said, adding it may open new areas for his company to look into.

He’s set a goal of developing 2,000 units near rapid transit lines within the next five to six years.

Carrington Real Estate was established in 2018. Carrington and business partner Sam Goszer are friends dating to their time at University of Winnipeg Collegiate (Carrington graduated in 2007). Goszer continues to work as a business and real estate lawyer.

The company was a small holdings firm, but has transitioned to its own development agency, according to its social media. It finished Kimberley Terrace, a 32-unit space in Elmwood, in December.

Gillingham, Coun. Sherri Rollins (Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry) and deputy mayor Coun. Markus Chambers gave their stamp of approval for the company’s project near Jubilee Station.

“I vow to work at the speed of business,” Rollins said in a speech.

She regularly hears from area residents who can’t find suitable housing, she added.

The city is using housing accelerator funds to incentivize development along transit corridors, Gillingham said. Ottawa gave Manitoba $122 million last year, to be spread over three years. The fund is expected to assist construction of at least 3,100 housing units.

Winnipeg made zoning changes last year to receive funding, including allowing residential structures up to four storeys within 800 metres of major transit routes.

The future involves more multi-family development along corridors and shopping centre sites, Gillingham stated.

“Mall areas are big pads of concrete where we’ve got cars that park sometimes,” he remarked. “The sooner we get those built, the better.”

Once Winnipeg Transit’s spine-and-feeder system is implemented, major corridors will see more frequent service, Gillingham continued. The overhaul will take effect June 29, 2025.

Single-storey structures along routes such as Portage Avenue could be redeveloped for multi-family housing, Gillingham commented.

Fort Rouge’s in-the-works high-rise will house bachelor, one- and two-bedroom units, according to Carrington. Rents start at $1,350 and include Wi-Fi and utilities, he said.

Carrington Real Estate advertises the new apartment tower — called STNP01 — as including a geothermal heating and cooling system helping the complex be 40 per cent more energy efficient than national standards.

The structure is being built in insulated pre-cast concrete panels. It will have a glass bike storage locker fit for 133 bikes, and a parking lot to hold 164 vehicles.

gabrielle.piche@winnipegfreepress.com