University of Winnipeg Commons | 45M | 14F | Completed
 

Downtown 14 Storey Residential Complex - U/C

The 112,000-square-foot building will be located near the intersection of Portage Avenue and Memorial Boulevard, between the Buhler Centre and the Winnipeg Art Gallery across from The Hudson’s Bay.

102 apartments, ranging from one to three bedrooms.
32 Units: Rent-geared-to-income basis.
56 Units: Market Rents
16: Premium Units

Partnership between the Government of Manitoba and The University of Winnipeg.



The Manitoba government is supporting the project with a loan guarantee and it will be fully self-financed. It will be eligible for tax increment financing and PST tax credits associated with apartments including affordable units

- Start - Spring 2015
- Projected Completion Date: 2016
- LM Architectural Group
- Aprx: Cost $27 million.

Conceptual Renders Available:
http://news-centre.uwinnipeg.ca/wp-c...verviewWEB.jpg
http://news-centre.uwinnipeg.ca/wp-c...urtyardWEB.jpghttp://news-centre.uwinnipeg.ca/wp-c...1/EntryWEB.jpg
http://news-centre.uwinnipeg.ca/all-...medium=twitter

Updated render: Provided by Keh Vaughn
http://www.uwinnipeg.ca/pix/communic...May%202014.JPG
Source

Reverse View
http://www.lm-architects.com/wp-cont...mmons_v012.jpg
http://www.lm-architects.com/


Updated render. March.29,2015
http://s24.postimg.org/7ocp4t4hx/photo_2.jpg[/QUOTE]

It looks like this one's got a bit of a different look since it was first announced. Shame, I thought the white/red look of the original would have jived pretty well with the Buhler Centre.

http://www.uwinnipeg.ca/pix/communic...May%202014.JPG
Source

"A completion date for the project is 2016."

Thanks Keh. You have a better render and the completion date has been pushed back.
Do you mind if I use your info to update the OP?

Go for it.

Looking at the old renders... I think the screaming red (and partially enclosed) balconies might have been a little weird/overwhelming to stand in. Still, a lot of personality has been taken out with this new version.

Yeah, I guess the initial conceptual images have changed some what.
It does look a little on the average side compared to what was initially released, something were quite familiar with seeing in this city.

Well, it does create downtown density?

Strictly in terms of appearance, the new rendering reveals quite a downgrade. I preferred the old look that complemented the Buhler Centre. Still a very positive addition to the area, though.

Oh yeah, I'm speaking strictly in terms of aesthetics. I know a few people were complaining about the "bombed out" look of the ALT hotel, and while I'm not sure I agree with that assessment, based on this one render it looks like the UW Commons is going to be a much more overt example of that. But I'm very pleased to see more downtown residential builds -- rentals, no less. And if I'm not mistaken, this is being built on the parking lot behind the Buhler Centre?

Will never complain about one less surface lot. :)

LM architecture's website shows a different version as well - pushed to the street.
They should just have the Patkau's design everything for them..

Edit: may not be a different version, just opposite view.

http://www.lm-architects.com/wp-cont...mmons_v012.jpg

It does appear that way.

Looks just like the dozens of other brick apartment towers I remember about Winnipeg in my childhood during the 70's and 80's. Fits in I guess.

I agree with ya, wish they would keep a few random red walls for some nice visual impact.

Reminds me of what happened at OZ Condos on river... Started with all the balconies filled in with yellow (a la Yellow Brick Road and OZ branding) which looked awesome in the renders. Ended up with all white balconies and it now looks like a more torturous version of Bloc 10. Really looks awful from the River view... side street looks alright.

Maybe Alt had a sale on stucco panels and offered it to university. Seems this low budget style is the new norm. Well least in 20 years we can reclad these eyesores

I am still really excited for this project and I like the contrasting styles. You never know how these renders end up. Things are almost never a match by the time the final piece is laid down

This project is currently undergoing some serious value-engineering. Rest assured the final product will be far worse than any renders we've seen.

Simplicity.. aren't you just Mr. Positivity? Seems like no matter what project it is you always have something to gripe about..

Sorry, I won't state the facts of the project status anymore because you don't want to hear it.

Nobody is griping about anything. People want to know why the renders have changed. There's your answer. And they'll change yet again.

It's true to say that it will change a lot from the initial renderings, but to say the final product will be "far worse" I mean come on.. You don't know if it will end up looking far worse, far better, or virtually the same. Give me a break..

I see the "bombed out" look is the newest craze in the 'Peg...

But wait! It's better than nothing, right?

A residential building better than a parking lot? Yes, yes it is.

PS Simplicity I'd love to hear what types of projects are viable in Winnipeg in your opinion. Strip malls? Tim Hortons franchises?

Is it just me or has this board just become fileld with complaining. If its a beautiful proposal there are complaints that it'll never happen and is not financially feasable. If its a more modest proposal people complain that its butt ugly and shouldn't exist but in this city "something is better than nothing".