Winnipeg’s Exchange District is a National Historic Site that features the best preserved collection of heritage buildings in North America. The District Condominiums project involved the retrofit of almost an entire block of early 20th century warehouse buildings in the East Exchange District that spanned nearly a decade of work. More than 175,000 square feet of building area over seven buildings on four separate properties was converted to 150 new residential units and multiple ground floor commercial units in the downtown core. The 100+ year old, historically significant warehouses required extensive and complex updates to meet modern building codes. Strategic use of fire safety alternative solutions developed by the City of Winnipeg for rehabilitation in the Exchange District allowed the team to achieve code compliance. The quality and character of the robust existing warehouse construction was largely maintained with careful additions of updated windows, modern suites and shared amenities.
In 2010 the City of Winnipeg, with the province of Manitoba launched the Downtown Residential Development Program, a three year program under the Winnipeg Regeneration Strategy offering $20 million in development grants and tax incentives for the construction of downtown residential units. The program allowed Streetside Developments to take ownership of the collection of buildings. With one project together under our collective belt, this massive undertaking – at the time one of the largest residential conversion projects in Western Canada – kicked off a long term working relationship between 701 Architecture and Streetside that continues to this day.
Success was defined as a project that maintained the building’s historic features while delivering a mixed use set of buildings that met market needs within budget. The design process began with three dimensional laser scanning to document the existing condition. Using the existing structural bays, suite designs were developed and a scheme for each building presented to the Winnipeg Urban Design Advisory Committee for design review, feedback and approvals. During construction, constant collaboration was required to resolve issues as they revealed themselves. The end result met a receptive market with full residential and commercial occupancy achieved in short order along with multiple historic preservation awards. The final phase at 139 Market was completed in 2017.
“701 Architecture designed District Condominiums which transformed seven 110 year old downtown industrial buildings to over 150 modern residential units. They did a remarkable job of preserving the buildings while providing exceptional living spaces for the new residents. The building code compliance challenges were immense and 701 solved these challenges with very creative and effective solutions which resulted in a very successful development.”
Brian Cornelsen, Vice President – Streetside Developments
Awards
Heritage Winnipeg Preservation Award of Excellence – Residential Conversion of 110 James Avenue, 2014.
Heritage Winnipeg Preservation Award of Excellence – Residential Conversion of 132 James Avenue, 2015.
CHBA National Awards for Housing Excellence Finalist – Mid to High-Rise Condominium or Apartment at 139 Market Avenue, 2018.