Three concepts for new Mb Hydro office tower (WPG)

[SimpleSimon]

Design Concept "A":
On Portage Avenue
Looking West
http://www.hydro.mb.ca/issues/gif/design_concept_a_west_lrg.jpg
On Portage Avenue
Looking East
http://www.hydro.mb.ca/issues/gif/design_concept_a_east_lrg.jpg

Design Concept "B":
On Portage Avenue
Looking West
http://www.hydro.mb.ca/issues/gif/design_concept_b_west_lrg.jpg
On Portage Avenue
Looking East
http://www.hydro.mb.ca/issues/gif/design_concept_b_east_lrg.jpg

Design Concept "C":
On Portage Avenue
Looking West
http://www.hydro.mb.ca/issues/gif/design_concept_c_west_lrg.jpg
On Portage Avenue
Looking East
http://www.hydro.mb.ca/issues/gif/design_concept_c_east_lrg.jpg

News Releases
DATE: 2004 10 27

Design Concepts For Downtown Office Unveiled
Manitoba Hydro today unveiled three design concepts for the Corporation’s new Downtown Office building.


“Our design team has been working very hard over the summer to deliver innovative, energy efficient world class signature building designs that meet Manitoba Hydro’s needs today and in the future,” stated Bob Brennan, Manitoba Hydro President and CEO. “This work has resulted in three exciting preliminary design concepts that we are presenting today for public review and comment. We are looking to stimulate feedback that will be useful as we move forward to refine and finalize the ultimate design later this year.”


The three building design concepts announced today are available for review and comment at Manitoba Hydro’s website www.hydro.mb.ca and will be displayed at a Public Open House at Portage Place on Thursday October 28 from 4 PM to 9 PM.


Building cost estimates will not be available until the design is finalized but are projected to be comparable to similar class facilities. With the new head office, the Corporation expects to realize significant savings from reductions in lease costs, the building’s world class energy efficiency, and productivity improvements and synergies from consolidating employees from diverse locations into an improved working environment.


The new downtown head office building will be constructed on a site that encompasses a city block on the south side of Portage Avenue between Edmonton and Carlton Streets extending south to Graham Avenue. Removal of buildings on the site for material re-use and recycling will occur later this fall and continue through the early winter. Construction will commence later this winter, with commissioning and occupancy scheduled for 2007.

[Tri-City Guy]

I'd love for a few more talls to go up in Winni. Its very flatness gives it an impressive skyline no matter how tall they are. I like concept A from the above plans. Its not so boxy with that shard on top.

[vid]

Is this going to be a new tallest or not? And what happened to that big one with the hole in it? I like "A" the best.

[Ashok]

plan "A" looks great

[SimpleSimon]

I agree with A also. The big one with the turbine was CanWest Corp. showing off how great their site at Portage and Main would have been if it was selected. That site was not selected. This one is found further west on Portage Avenue. It will not be the new tallest, but the "solar chimney" in Concept A may push it above Winnipegs current tallest, the Canwest global tower. It has 600,000 sq ft., so I think it will have the most floor space in the downtown, other than that I don't know its exact height. Construction is set to begin in spring or summer 2005.

http://www.hydro.mb.ca/issues/downtown_home.shtml

[LooselogInThePeg]

Are you sure it won't be the tallest? Even without the 'chimney' I'm guessing that it looks like it would be on par with the CanWest Tower (assuming they go with concept A anyway) Well, either way we'll just have to wait and see I suppose.

[SimpleSimon]

^True. All we can be sure of is that it will be one of the taller ones in the city. BTW nice to have another pegger on board. Welcome Looselog. I don't know if you have been to the following site before, but if you would like more interesting coversation on Winnipeg and western Canada go here:
http://www.skyscraperpage.com/forum
select Canada and then west

[WpG_GuY]

I believe it would be the tallest in Winnipeg. Even though the tallest out of the three is only 26 floors, ceiling height per floor will be 14 feet. Id go with concept A for sure. But they say ultimately the design could feature concepts from all three and end up looking entirely different.

[LooselogInThePeg]

Thx for the link SimpleSimon. Anyway, I was also wondering when they will actually get to work on this thing? I mean, sooner or later they DO have to at least demolish the buildings that are already there don't they? lol

[SimpleSimon]

I think demolition of the original Gendis owned bldgs. should begin in spring 2005. I dunno about construction. Probably summer.

[Haber]

I don't think the design is particularly inspiring. Plan A looks like the best out of all of them. I would like it if the glass was more blue and less brown.

[touraccuracy]

All three look quite similar, but I would say "A" looks best.

[SimpleSimon]

The grapevine told me that it will in fact be C (the shortest in appearance) and not A (the one I also prefer).

[ssiguy2]

They do all look nice but I too prefer A.
I assume it will connect with the pedway? Seeing they are digging underground why doesn't the city and provice decide to also ajopin an underground bus or LRT line? Hell of a lot cheaper to do it then then later. Has anyone approached the city about this?

[ScraperDude]

I like concept B although I'd like to see Winnipeg get a nice tall one with a spire. :)

[LooselogInThePeg]

They do all look nice but I too prefer A.
I assume it will connect with the pedway? Seeing they are digging underground why doesn't the city and provice decide to also ajopin an underground bus or LRT line? Hell of a lot cheaper to do it then then later. Has anyone approached the city about this?
You're right that it would be cheaper to do it now but for them to do it at all means they would have to have an underground line along a much greater length of Portage avenue. That would cost at least half a billion bucks I'm sure and there's just no way that cost could be justified.

[azzurri.chris]

Sweet Jesus...they all look so HORRIBLE!

[Kev the burninator]

i acually kinda like that style.... a mix of 60's retro and modern... i would say that the concept A is my favorite out of those...

[LooselogInThePeg]

Sweet Jesus...they all look so HORRIBLE!
Frankly, now that somebody has actually said it, well yeah, I don't like any of these slabs either.

[SimpleSimon]

News Releases
DATE: 2005 04 15

Design Concept Selected for Downtown Office
One of the Most Energy Efficient Office Buildings in the World


Manitoba Hydro today announced the selection of a design concept for the Corporation’s new downtown head office building.


“We have chosen to develop the detailed design for our new world-class, energy-efficient head office on the basis of Design Concept ‘C’, unveiled for public review and comment last October,” said Bob Brennan, Manitoba Hydro President and CEO. “We are targeting a 60 per cent reduction in energy use compared to a conventional office building, and as a result we expect our new headquarters will be one of the most energy efficient Power Smart office buildings in the world, while providing a top quality office environment for our employees.”


Design Concept ‘C’ features a tower and podium. Fundamental to this design is the extensive use of passive energy systems unlike a standard office building which utilizes energy driven mechanical systems. Key energy efficiency elements include atriums to provide conditioned fresh air, optimization of natural lighting, a solar chimney to enhance fresh air ventilation, a geothermal heat pump system, energy efficient lighting, pumps and drives, and a double external wall.


Manitoba Hydro’s design team will now move forward into the detailed design phase to finalize building size and costing. The finalized design is expected to be unveiled this summer.


“Hydro’s new building will join the MTS Centre, the new Millenium Library, the Red River Campus and the new Waterfront Drive developments in revitalizing Winnipeg’s downtown,” added Brennan


Salvage of reusable material and deconstruction of on-site structures is underway. Existing materials such as sinks, doors, counters, glass blocks, etc. will be salvaged for reuse. Materials that are not reused, such as steel, concrete and glass, will be recycled. with the goal being to eliminate materials going to landfill for disposal. Construction will begin this summer with commissioning and occupancy scheduled for 2007.


The new head office building is to be constructed in downtown Winnipeg on a site that encompasses a city block on the south side of Portage Avenue between Edmonton and Carlton Streets extending south to Graham Avenue. Up to 2000 Manitoba Hydro employees will work in the building.


A picture of the selected Design Concept is available for viewing on Manitoba Hydro’s Web site at www.designconcept.hydro.mb.ca. The final design will be similar to this image but will vary as design elements are confirmed.

http://www.hydro.mb.ca/issues/gif/design_concept_c_west_lrg.jpg
http://www.hydro.mb.ca/issues/gif/design_concept_c_east_lrg.jpg

Note that this is still a concept and the final design may change.

[LooselogInThePeg]

Design C eh? Figures.

[WinnipegPatriot]

No kidding! I would be more dissapointed if this were a private company, but still: a tower is being built, so regardless of it being a crown, why not build something to marvel at, rather than some fat slab? I emailed the PR guy at Hydro a while ago, and he favored C, while I prefer A. I figured great, they are going to go with C...I just hope there is some tweaking done, because as it stands now, C sucks!

[SimpleSimon]

I doubt it will look exactly as it is in the design.

"A picture of the selected Design Concept is available for viewing on Manitoba Hydro’s Web site at www.designconcept.hydro.mb.ca. The final design will be similar to this image but will vary as design elements are confirmed."

The final design will be released in the late summer. But I agree they should have worked from design A. I believe Hydro should have considered opting for a more mixed use structure. Add some residential, office rental space etc.

[LooselogInThePeg]

No kidding! I would be more dissapointed if this were a private company, but still: a tower is being built, so regardless of it being a crown, why not build something to marvel at, rather than some fat slab? I emailed the PR guy at Hydro a while ago, and he favored C, while I prefer A. I figured great, they are going to go with C...I just hope there is some tweaking done, because as it stands now, C sucks!
You should direct him to this site so he can see what people think of his world class 'signature' slab.

[ScraperDude]

Not being from Winnipeg I too am disappointed with design C. Winnipeg deserves something more creative than a box slab. :(
I'm sorry guys

[LooselogInThePeg]

Okay, as long as that isn't the final design there is some hope.

Anyway, how tall is this thing going to be? Any word on the height? I figured that at 14 feet per floor (plus another 20 feet for the podium floors as they tend to be higher as well) we get in the range of about 350-360 feet tall. That would put it up there and with the 'solar chimney' it's even possible it would rank as the city's tallest (although that's a long shot admitedly)

[Haber]

I just hope they make sure to add retail at street level which will add life to downtown. It better not be another cold exterior.

[LooselogInThePeg]

Okay, I pasted this info from another forum (I am a lurker there because they require an e-mail address that isn't free if you want to register as a member)

i had the chance to sit in on a manitoba hydro building presentation today...sorry ...i got no visuals, but here is the scoop.

it has been reduced from 23 to 21 floors. it is designed as 3 six story units on top of a 3 storey pedestal. the total height is 116 metres. they showed an elevation comparing it to the other buildings in the city, which looked like it was taken right off this site and the solar chiney (wing wall) is taller than the TD building.

the overall shape is similar to what has been published, but it is really a much nicer building than what is seen in those images...he showed the model and a 360 degree fly around on the computer. it is quite a dramatic building and the two views shown are the least interesting possible.

the massing emphasizes more the fact that it is two rectangular narrow buildings connected with an atrium in a 'V' shape. each six storey section has an open full height atrium with a waterfall the entire height...this acts to de-humidify the air coming into the building....the air is sucked through each 6 storey section to the north side and cycled down in the solar chimney. there is also a north facing atrium, 3 stroreys high all the way up.

the skin is still a double wall curtain wall facade. the 2 walls are a metre apart...the glass is being brought in from europe, because it can not be made clear enough here in canada....apparently we put too much iron in our glass (who knew)...so it should sparkle.

the east tower is taller than the west one, but the extra 15 metres or so is a cap on the building...it isnt occupied floorspace...the graham facade is spectacular, with the glass atrium all the way up...the narrow towers cantilever dramatically over the podium on that side....it has a large urban plaza on the graham side, and a smaller one on the portage side.

they have split the podium now into two dramatic triangular pieces...and the solar chimney with the north atrium coming right down to the ground...it is set back from the podium to create the courtyard....the base is still that checkerboard pattern that they had earlier...a bit simplified...the podium will be really dramatic and interesting....it has full roof top gardens on the top of the podium

the two towers have been pulled apart more in the north south direction to make them more like long narrow (7m) individual buildings, as compared to the original drawings. it is quite a unique shape....the towers are very narrow.

it is shorter than i would like, but after seeing the model and the animation, i am confident that it is going to be a spectacular building.....it has some incredibly dramatic views.

the solar chimney is to be concrete and glass and will have a huge hydro logo on the top...it will be a real feature, but i think the podium will be the best piece....it will have a great interaction with the ground and the surrounding neighbourhood. it has a full 3 storey height open space running north south and has commercial space on the other sides...quite a bit actually....i was surprised...that is a good thing.

right now it is at 600 000 square feet and is costing about 150 million dollars....

Anyway, I tried to give the original guy credit but since nobody here knows him I guess you'll just have to take his word for this.

The only thing that puzzles me about this is that it says the building is to be 116 meters. That's not that unusual in itself but it is in this case because the building is only 21 stories tall. That height is normal for a building in the 25 to 30 storey range so that would have to mean that they are including the solar chimney in the official height. But then it goes on to say that the solar chimney will be taller than the Canwest Global Tower. Well, that puts the chimney at over 128 meters. Basically, either this building is going to have some pretty tall floor to ceiling heights or the guys doing the number crunching have messed up somewhere. I guess we'll just have to wait and see unless somebody around here has an inside scoop on this.

[WinnipegPatriot]

2,000 new suites for city
B.C. developer cites construction cost, not eased rent controls

Fri Apr 29 2005

By Murray McNeill




A British Columbia developer plans to build another 2,000 apartment units in Winnipeg during the next five years, but it's not because the province is promising relief from rent controls, an official with the company said yesterday.
"It doesn't make any difference," Kris Mailman, owner and CEO of Broadstreet Properties Ltd., said of the provincial government's plans to give the owners of new rental units an additional five-year holiday from rent controls.

New units are currently exempt from rent controls for the first 15 years, but the government introduced legislation Wednesday that raises the exemption to 20 years in the hopes it will spur construction of more units.

However, Mailman said it's construction costs, not rent controls, that determine whether new rental units get built. Because Broadstreet does all its own construction and uses wood-frame construction rather than the more costly masonry construction, it's able to keep its costs low enough to make it economically feasible to build new rental units in Winnipeg, he explained.

The Campbell River-based firm has built 554 new one- and two-bedroom apartments in Winnipeg in the last two years and Mailman said the plan is to built another 400 or so per year for each of the next five years.

He said that with an overall vacancy rate of only 1.1 per cent in Winnipeg, the company has had no difficulty finding tenants for its new apartments. He said all 351 suites in its seven-building development on Leila Avenue are now leased, and all but 34 of the 203 units in its new four-building development on Quail Ridge Road are leased. Broadstreet has been far and away the most active developer in the residential rental market in Winnipeg in recent years.

According to the latest rental market survey by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp., there were only 246 new rental units built in Winnipeg between 1996 and last spring.

Dianne Himbeault, CMHC's senior market analyst for Manitoba, said most of the new Broadstreet units would not have been included in that total, so clearly there hasn't been a lot of other new apartment construction going on in the city in the last 10 years.

Like Mailman, Himbeault said she doesn't think extending the rent-control holiday by another five years will, by itself, lead to a surge in new rental-unit construction.

"There are a lot of other factors besides rent controls that are hindering new construction," she said. "Certainly it would help the business decision, but it's just one piece of the puzzle."

She agreed construction costs are a big part of the decision-making process for most developers and investors. Return on investment is another, and the dearth of new rental-unit construction across Canada in recent years indicates many investors feel they are better off investing in something else besides new rental properties. Bob Shaer, president of A.S.H. Management Group Ltd. and a former president of the Professional Property Managers Association, said in an interview the main reason more new rental units aren't being built is because with the high cost of new construction it's difficult for developers and property managers to keep rental rates for new units low enough to compete with the artificially low rates being charged for most existing units.

Shaer said doing away with rent controls would allow rents on existing units to rise to more appropriate levels, making new units more price-competitive and, therefore, more feasible.

Finance Minister Greg Selinger said earlier this month the province won't abolish rent controls because seniors and other low-income earners can't afford to pay substantially higher rents.

Shaer agreed, but said one of the ways to address that problem is for governments to provide more financial assistance to low-income earners so they can afford higher rents. Another is to provide government grants to the private sector to rehabilitate more run-down rental properties.

[WinnipegPatriot]

Whoops--wrong thread!!!

[WinnipegPatriot]

If you are referring to TrueViking, he is pretty cool! I am not a numbers person, but he usually knows what he is talking about!!!