Osborne Village in 1975

In the very early 1970s Osborne Village was very much in flux. The area around Roslyn Road remained popular as it connected to Wellington Crescent. A mix of nice home and high rise rentals popped up including the very new 55 Nassau at 38 storeys. However, some other stately homes were falling into disrepair and being turned into rooming houses. Some parts of River as as well Stradbrook got a lot rougher.

Osborne Street itself saw a change in businesses. At least two or three families began buying property and attracting renters and operating their own businesses that would given Osborne its cache in years ahead.

Most of the towers along the Assiniboine or the Village were very new in 1975. The density jumped in ways that were surprising. In today's day and age it might not happen with so many complaining that no development should happen in their own neighbourhoods. Even the present Safeway had its detractors although safe to say it has been essential in making Osborne Village the success it is.

Good design is important and there can always be debate on that. However, we have come to a period where no change at all ever is becoming the default position. At least four own neighbourhoods. Then 30 kilometer speed limits, speed bumps and road closures to through drivers are all the wage while same said neighbourhood wants a 12 lane 150 kilometer speed limit to get to the gates of the closed community.

The very new Winnipeg Convention Centre pre-expansion days is seen as well along with the very new Lakeview Square. Beside the Great-West Life building is the former Labatt's brewery. It became insurance company's second office on Osborne in the 1980s. The handsome Granite Club Curling Rink is visible beside the river across from the Village.

Osborne Village has gone through several incarnations including now but it has allowed density development that has made it vital over the years. The future is probably how to keep the neighbourhood safe and secure, affordable and avoid luxury blight where places are shuttered just because the rent is too high.