Monday, February 11, 2019

Portage and Main 1978

The construction of the Concourse under Portage and Main was a massive undertaking costing tens of millions of dollars in 1978. It arrived just in time for the recession of 1980 where Winnipeg took it on the chin like no other time since the war.

The Trizec building that had just gone up sat largely empty for a few years after it was built and the additional plans for another tower and hotel evaporated. Today the tower has been re-skinned and has a Toronto Dominion logo sporting from the top. It has lost some key tenants to the True North Square but has landed news ones in the accounting and legal firms. A residential tower is going up and will continue to in 2019. By the end it will be the tallest tower in Winnipeg.

Meanwhile, the Concourse is 40 year piece of infrastructure that is falling apart above ground and below and leaks. Street crossing has been rejected but this corner now does not the meet the standards for accessibility, safety or for 24 hour access with various parts closed to public after hours.

One day it will be condemned or worse collapse.

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