'We just jumped at it': Calgary development firm restoring heritage building in Winnipeg's Exchange District
The old Great West Metal Building on Waterfront Drive and Alexander Avenue will be getting a makeover thanks to a development firm out of Calgary.
RNDSQR is restoring the building in the Exchange District, with plans of turning the building into a new housing complex.
"We just jumped at it as soon as we saw. Not only to be part of a project in Winnipeg, but also in the east Exchange which is one of the most incredible neighbourhoods I've ever seen," said Alkarim Devani, who is the president and co-founder of RNDSQR.
Construction work being done on the Great West Metal Building to turn it into a new multi-unit housing complex. (Source: Ken Gabel/CTV News)
Devani said work is underway to create 212 rental spaces, as well as commercial space on the main floor and potentially a cocktail bar.
He added the company wants to maintain the integrity and culture of the space.
"Contextually, there was a ton of opportunity to figure out how to retain this amazing fabric in the heritage structure, but find ways to introduce new housing opportunities."
Construction work being done on the Great West Metal Building to turn it into a new multi-unit housing complex. (Source: Ken Gabel/CTV News)
Devani said the neighbourhood is changing and this is one project that can help with that.
The plan is to have the space start to open in 2023 and Devani said units would start in the thousands price-wise and then go up based on unit size.
"We're really thoughtful about creating spaces that were not necessarily bigger footprints, some smaller footprints that have good storage and still could allow for a decent footprint of living. But then also some larger units as you kind of get into different parts of the building. So trying to cater to a mixed demographic of folks."
Construction work being done on the Great West Metal Building to turn it into a new multi-unit housing complex. (Source: Ken Gabel/CTV News)
While doing the project, Devani said it is cool learning about the history of the building, such as it was a fishing plant before it was the metal building.
"We did talk to the Great West Metal owners at length about the production they were doing, the addition and obviously the success they've had … pretty cool to be part of a heritage site."
He said he is excited to be part of the project, noting Winnipeg is a "hidden gem."
Construction work being done on the Great West Metal Building to turn it into a new multi-unit housing complex. (Source: Ken Gabel/CTV News)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Stamp prices rise for the third time in five years amid financial woes for Canada Post
Canada Post is increasing stamp prices for the third time since 2019, a move the Crown corporation says is a "reality" of its sales-based revenue structure.
Italy's white-collar mafia is making a business killing
Italy's mafia rarely dirties its hands with blood these days. Extortion rackets have gone out of fashion and murders are largely frowned upon by the godfathers.
The story of how a B.C. man found his birth mother
After his adopted parents died, Dave Rogers set out to learn more about his birth mother. DNA results and a little help from friendly strangers would put him on a path to a small town in England.
WATCH Avian flu: Risk to humans grows as outbreaks spread, warns expert
H5N1 or avian flu is decimating wildlife around the world and is now spreading among cattle in the United States, sparking concerns about 'pandemic potential' for humans. Now a health expert is urging Canada to scale up surveillance north of the border.
Trump fined US$1,000 for gag order violation in hush money case as judge warns of possible jail time
The judge presiding over Donald Trump's hush money trial has fined him US$1,000 for violating his gag order and sternly warned the former president that additional violation could result in jail time.
Summer forecast: What to expect as El Nino weakens
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
When grief and AI collide: These people are communicating with the dead
AI tools can offer recommendations, answer questions and 'talk' with users. But some users are using them to recreate the likeness of the dead.
Russia warns Britain and plans nuclear drills over the West's possible deepening role in Ukraine
Russia plans to hold drills simulating the use of battlefield nuclear weapons, the Defense Ministry announced Monday, days after the Kremlin reacted angrily to comments by senior Western officials about the war in Ukraine and Moscow warned that tensions with the West are deepening.
Spike in 'violent rhetoric' since Oct. 7 attack from 'extremist actors,' CSIS warns
The Israel-Hamas war has led to a spike in 'violent rhetoric' from 'extremist actors' that could prompt some in Canada to turn to violence, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service warns.