Winnipeg Construction X

[borkborkbork]

Originally Posted by BAKGUY

Wow! "The Marlborough in horrible, decrepit condition."

You are a great melodramatic thespian are you?
Shakespearean actor?

* hacky hamlet voice * "there is nothing either good or bad but google reviews makes it so"

[WinCitySparky]

Originally Posted by zalf

There's a fairly substantial crane on Colony between Portage and Ellice. Looks like it's well taller than One Canada Centre. Anyone know what that's for?

Just drove by, they were lowering something onto the roof of the IG building, so guessing rooftop unit etc

[OTA in Winnipeg]

Originally Posted by borkborkbork

* hacky hamlet voice * "there is nothing either good or bad but google reviews makes it so"

Yikes. Hope the new owners can bring it up a notch.

[BAKGUY]

[QUOTE=pspeid;9895737]It could certainly do that, it's a beautiful old building. Now if it had a "haunted" room, they could really sell the place!


Done Room # 503 since 1943.
Many ghost stories are said to be connected to a murder but in most cases no actual proof of a murder ever happening is found. This is clearly not the case with the Marlborough Hotel. After the murder room #503 was sealed off from use. The only reminder at the hotel of this event is reports from guests and staff of a tragic young woman seen floating through the 5th floor corridors & guest rooms.

[BAKGUY]

Originally Posted by borkborkbork

* hacky hamlet voice * "there is nothing either good or bad but google reviews makes it so"

The dining and ballrooms are nowhere near decrepit.They shine bright. You might want to learn what the word means or visit the hotel. Decrepit is the Manwin on Main? Etc
The rooms are decent but need a refresh which is what is happening.

[pspeid]

[QUOTE=BAKGUY;9896038]

Originally Posted by pspeid

It could certainly do that, it's a beautiful old building. Now if it had a "haunted" room, they could really sell the place!


Done Room # 503 since 1943.
Many ghost stories are said to be connected to a murder but in most cases no actual proof of a murder ever happening is found. This is clearly not the case with the Marlborough Hotel. After the murder room #503 was sealed off from use. The only reminder at the hotel of this event is reports from guests and staff of a tragic young woman seen floating through the 5th floor corridors & guest rooms.

Thanks, I didn't know that. I looked up the story and it's pretty interesting:

https://uniter.ca/view/haunted-history


The Marlborough doesn't seem to be part of any of the "ghost tours" different places offer. I wonder if the owners prefer to avoid that part of their history?

[WinCitySparky]

It’s hard to promote ghosts effectively when there’s so many zombies lurching around the place on the regular

[1ajs]

there is ghosts in there ive had some interesting hair standing moments in that place when the press club still existed in the basement

[pspeid]

Originally Posted by 1ajs

there is ghosts in there ive had some interesting hair standing moments in that place when the press club still existed in the basement

Interesting! Maybe we should start a Winnipeg Urban Tale thread to record these?

[sleepyeyed]

https://twitter.com/j_thorsteinson/s...ZpPaZILag&s=19

[zalf]

Originally Posted by sleepyeyed

https://twitter.com/j_thorsteinson/s...ZpPaZILag&s=19

I for one hope that when the cultural pendulum swings, it swings toward a good variety of colour, and not "everything is blue now" or whatever.

[Outlandish18]

Does anybody know what they are trying to build in the parking lot downtown between Donald and York right in front of Ivory Restaurant?

[Hecate]

Originally Posted by zalf

I for one hope that when the cultural pendulum swings, it swings toward a good variety of colour, and not "everything is blue now" or whatever.

I’ve always admired Nordic countries use of colour, they know how to use colour. For six months of the year here it’s white and grey. Even the green spruce trees take on the surrounding bland tones and manage to blend in with everything else. Would be nice to have buildings that were lively and create an overall less depressing environment.

[Biff]

Originally Posted by Outlandish18

Does anybody know what they are trying to build in the parking lot downtown between Donald and York right in front of Ivory Restaurant?

Construction staging for the 2 storey Carlton Hotel addition.

[WinCitySparky]

I was just ranting about the plague of grey with another tradesman on a site last week. It definitely needs to end.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by zalf

I for one hope that when the cultural pendulum swings, it swings toward a good variety of colour, and not "everything is blue now" or whatever.

Sadly it probably will be like that. Remember in the mid to late 90s when the southwestern-style palette was in, and it was all about the beige/rose stucco, and sometimes turquoise?

[thebasketballgeek]

I’d argue nothing is more fitting for new housing construction in Winnipeg then bland, boring, and grey. It’s a direct reflection of the state of our city and why we don’t see much variety.

The city has to start implementing design guidelines which can provide better aesthetics.
I’m getting tired of seeing every new building look hideous.

[pspeid]

Originally Posted by thebasketballgeek

I’d argue nothing is more fitting for new housing construction in Winnipeg then bland, boring, and grey. It’s a direct reflection of the state of our city and why we don’t see much variety.

No it's been done across North America, and people everywhere seem to be as tired of it as you are (and I am as well, to be honest). It has nothing uniquely to do with Winnipeg.

Example:

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/62...trend-ever-die

[zalf]

My understanding of what drives the greyness is that:

A) True, nobody loves it, but more importantly, nobody hates it
B) A huge fraction of people make housing decisions not based on what they want for themselves, but through the lens of what some imagined future buyer wants

B won't change unless people stop being so lazy (painting isn't that hard or expensive) or people stop viewing houses as speculative investments (unlikely any time soon). I could imagine some sort of mass revulsion that kills A, though. It's ultimately a fashion, and fashion trends can change abruptly.

[borkborkbork]

Originally Posted by zalf

A huge fraction of people make housing decisions not based on what they want for themselves, but through the lens of what some imagined future buyer wants

This is super interesting, and a side effect of the state of the housing market.

Housing is increasingly unaffordable, and HGTV type entertainment has popularized the idea that the way to get into the housing you want is to buy, renovate, and sell your way up the ladder.

And, of course, house equity is a giant part of people's net worth (and in many cases is their primary investment vehicle). The massive appreciation of house prices and favourable tax treatment (no capital gains on your primary residence) mean that for many, their house is basically a retirement plan that they happen to live it.

So, people see their houses as about creating and maintaining a saleable product rather than a place that reflects their own tastes.