On May 8 and 9, Winnipeggers will once again be invited to board the Downtown Living Tour (DLT) shuttle bus — or walk, run, bike or drive — to visit various condominium and new rental opportunities now offered in downtown Winnipeg.
This year, the public will be invited to a sneak preview of downtown’s newest crown jewel — the new ultra-green Manitoba Hydro office tower on Portage, the starting point for the Downtown Living Tour. At the new Hydro building, you will not only have a chance to check out the incredible dual waterfalls in the majestic main floor atrium space, but you will also get a sample of all the revitalization activity that is occurring in the downtown.
Over 20 exhibitors will showcase architectural drawings and renderings of developments, ranging from future housing and commercial developments to the revitalization of downtown parks and universities. You will have an opportunity to speak not only to the developers, but to some of the best architects our city has to offer, who are all part of the revitalization efforts.
The bus tour this year celebrates the revitalization of our downtown neighbourhood by showcasing condos and apartments, as well as some exciting redevelopment projects like Hostelling International’s renewed space on Ellice (formerly the Gordon Downtowner Motor Hotel) and the makeover of the Radisson Winnipeg Downtown Hotel.
You will also witness the conversion of the former Sheraton Hotel into exclusive apartments — the Residences on York—and the Edge on Princess, a newly-renovated heritage building with New York-style apartments sitting at the edge of Old Market Square.
The last downtown living tour had over 3,000 Winnipeggers participate. Twelve months later, downtown condos were virtually “sold out.”
Winnipeggers are now discovering what many boosters and urbanites already know — the downtown is a jewel. It's an incredible neighbourhood, pedestrian-friendly and safe. It's full of life, culture, art, diversity and excitement.
With the unsustainability of oil and rising gas prices, people are realizing that leaving a car in the parkade and walking to work could create an annual savings of over $6,000. If you ditch the car entirely, imagine a world without pumping fuel, ill-timed car repairs and car payments. Imagine what someone could do with $6,000 per year, even if you are not overly environmentally conscious and worried about reducing your carbon foot print.
For these reasons and more, baby boomers wanting a change of pace and younger people wanting to be part of the downtown experience are coming back to call this neighbourhood their home.
See if the downtown is right for you.
Find your place downtown by particpating in the tour.