The impact a proposed development of Pembina Highway could have on the neighbourhood
A proposed development on Pembina Highway could see the Cambridge Hotel demolished and replaced with a residential apartment building.
The proposal comes on the heels of a community committee approval for condos in place of the Pembina hotel across the street.
Don is a regular inside the Cambridge Hotel Beverage Room, he goes there a few times a week to grab a drink, and watch the games.
“I’ve been coming here ever since I was a kid, in fact, I had my first legal beer here,” said Don.
The proposal comes from development firm Richard Wintrup, the company is looking to demolish the hotel and build a six-story multi-family residential building with 87 suites.
Don said the news came as a shock to him and others.
“All my friends that I sit with here, they have really fond memories of this place. This place is really going to hurt when it closes.”
The Cambridge isn’t the only hotel on the block that could see some changes.
A development proposal for the Pemby, across the street from the Cambridge was approved at the committee level earlier this month, if approved by council the new build would be a 12-story mixed-use building with 226 apartments and commercial space on the main floor.
Professor of Urban Development at the University of Winnipeg, Jino Distasio said these hotels are nostalgic for many people in the neighbourhood, but there is a need to reinvest.
“I think it’s going to take us about 10 to 15 years to really see dramatic transformation into what has long been an industrial kind of intersection here with an underpass,” said Distasio.
Other developments are happening in the area as well.
Earlier this month, Vic’s Fruit Market bought the Original Pancake House across the street so it could build a larger store in the space.
“The small grocers, the small shops, the walk-up stuff that makes neighbourhoods great, that’s the kind of amenity we want to see on the street.”
City Councillor for Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry, Sherri Rollins said the application for the Cambridge Hotel hasn’t been submitted to the city yet, it’s still in the community consultation stage.
She said there’s a lot of old commercial space in East Fort Garry.
“You want to see renewal and you’re hoping as a councillor, along corridors to be attracting the investments so that you can see it. A lot of that is discussions with developers,” said Rollins.
Rollins said the city has made large investments in rapid transit over the years including along the Pembina underpass, and it’s common to see development follow those kinds of projects.
Don is soaking up what could potentially be his last days at the Cambridge.
“Progress is progress, and I guess that’s what it’s all about,” said Don.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
World's record-breaking hot temperature streak stretches through April
The world just experienced its hottest April on record, extending an 11-month streak in which every month set a temperature record, the European Union's climate change monitoring service said on Wednesday.
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Trial begins for Winnipeg serial killer who claims he was mentally ill
The trial of a man who admits he killed four women in Winnipeg is set to begin Wednesday, and a law professor says lawyers for Jeremy Skibicki have multiple hurdles to clear for a defence of mental illness.