3081 Portage Avenue Platinum Auto Closes

One moment it was there and then the next it was empty. Platinum Auto Sales, an independent car dealer has moved to Transport Road, an industrial area across town. So far I have heard nothing on what will go on the land but it being commercial property on Portage, you figure it would be big. Given the apartments nearby, perhaps that is what will be built. I hadn't noticed any zoning signs up so it is unclear if the property was sold and re-zoned.

Right up till late 1970s large areas of St. James were still undeveloped. Portage Avenue all way out to Unicity was low density and just behind the street itself was literally open fields. The site where Platinum Auto Sales had been once had the Amazon Motel situated on it. It was pretty common for motels to be on streets such Portage and Pembina Highway. Most were family owned.

For many decades though after its motel days it was been an auto dealer site . Many will remember it as the Holiday Chevrolet Oldsmobile location, a family owned dealer. It had been part of the Haddad family holdings till at least 1983. he used to market himself as the Mad Arab. He co-founded Birchwood Auto with Robert Chipman. He was well know for charitable work in Winnipeg.

As was common for much of Winnipeg's history, there were dealerships down nearly every commercial street in the city. Now, most have moved to dealer parks so that buyers can peruse several dealers and collision centers. Portage still has a few dealers left on their southside near Unicity.

In the post Covid period, the gaps in St. James as a result of business closures is slowly filling up. In many cases, developers are building up from the low density one or two floor buildings. The spot where Platinum Auto sit would be ideal. It looks like it backs right out to Sturgeon Creek. A few auto dealers have closed recently but it is not beyond possibility that someone might looks at the space. However, given its value, it feels more likely we hear a plan for this property soon.