St. Mary Avenue (1942). A modern Winnipeg classic.
6 hours ago
Monday, June 30, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Leftover Bear
The title of this blog, as you know is "Winnipeg: Love & Hate" but you may have figured out by now that the majority of my posts represent that which I love about the city. The hate doesn't come out all that often.
But on this Thursday morning I'll let it spew forth. I hate the bears. I hate them with a seething passion. I hated them when they were on Broadway, and I hate them now that they're scattered throughout the city.
It was fantastic seeing people on Broadway day and night when they lined the boulevard a couple of years ago. But look at this photo. Then look again. Do you see the suffering in this bear's eys?
This is a small town art project; not big city public art. We can do better than this.
No offense to the individual artists. Some of the bears were/are pretty cool. Collectively though, the work is embarrassing.
Labels:
downtown,
hdr,
public art,
south portage
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
United Army Surplus Sales
Portage Avenue (1958).
I had mixed feelings when United Army Surplus Sales closed its doors a year or so ago. On one hand, it's an institution, and its kitchy interior has always been a guilty pleasure. But on the other hand, the site seems so under utilized. With its proximity to The Bay, The U of W, and the Art Gallery, something great should be on this corner.
What a let down to learn that the plan is for the U of W to move its bookstore into the existing structure. Pfffft. That's it? Well I hope they keep the old signage, because there's no way they'll come up with something better.
Labels:
architecture,
colony,
downtown,
portage avenue,
R.I.P.,
signage and typography
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
The Bay
Portage Avenue (1926). After the whole Eaton's debacle, there's one thing I know for sure: It's going to take nothing short of an earthquake for this building to ever come down.
As The Bay continues to struggle, however, I hope the city's planners and developers are smart in how they deal with this building. Shindico's Hydro plan from a few years ago looked pretty good: Office space on the upper floors (I believe) as well as the new tower in place of the awful adjoining parking lot.
That was pretty much ideal--preserving the building and getting rid of the parking lot.
Labels:
architecture,
downtown,
hdr,
portage avenue,
south portage
Friday, June 20, 2008
C&E Motors
I don't often travel down Dufferin Avenue, but when I saw this place I had to stop and grab a picture. It definitely looks like it's seen better days.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Giants
Portage and Main. Perhaps "Giants" is a bit of a misleading title. Put these buildings in the New York skyline, and they completely disappear. But in the Winnipeg skyline, they're as big as it gets.
And I like them. Richardson's modern simplicity and Canwest's post-modern elegance are perfectly fitting for what is probably the city's most culturally and historically significant location.
Now if only there wasn't a gaping gravel parking lot beside Canwest...
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Bathgate Block
Princess Avenue (1883). A friend of mine co-owns the recently subdivided Bathgate Block on Princess, and gave me some time to check out the interior.
The interior spaces and the exterior definitely need work, but given that the asking price combined with a conservative estimate of renovation costs would end up less than a typical house in Wolseley these days...it's hard to believe the spaces are still up for grabs.
The interior spaces and the exterior definitely need work, but given that the asking price combined with a conservative estimate of renovation costs would end up less than a typical house in Wolseley these days...it's hard to believe the spaces are still up for grabs.
Labels:
architecture,
Centennial,
downtown,
hdr
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Transcona Meats
Regent Avenue. Inspired by recent discussions at newwinnipeg.com, I took a drive down Regent to Downtown Transcona. It may be tiny, but the two or three blocks towards the end of Regent that comprise Downtown is a refreshing and vibrant little stretch. The highlight was this amazing (although badly in need of restoration) sign.
Labels:
architecture,
kern park,
R.I.P.,
signage and typography,
transcona
Monday, June 16, 2008
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Friday, June 13, 2008
St. Charles
Notre Dame Avenue (1913). The corner of Notre Dame...one of my favorite places to take photos in the city. Too bad, though, about the gaping parking lot kitty-corner to the St. Charles. Of all the surface parking lots in the city, this one's the most frustrating. There really should be something great at this site.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
It's That Time Of Year Again...
Main Street. The only thing I've ever eaten that gives me heartburn is a VJ's special, and yet, something about this little joint lures me back every summer. Must be the lard.
Labels:
architecture,
bars and restaurants,
downtown,
hdr,
main street,
south portage
Monday, June 9, 2008
Fortune Block/Times Change
Main Street (1882). Another Winnipeg institution--Times Change High & Lonesome Club (now with burritos). Excellent place to watch live music, and a pretty cool building to boot.
Labels:
architecture,
bars and restaurants,
downtown,
hdr,
main street,
south portage
Think Inside The Bottle
Labels:
bars and restaurants,
downtown,
hdr,
interiors,
main street,
south portage
Friday, June 6, 2008
Steep Rock Moon
An important part of the Winnipeg experience is venturing out beyond the Perimiter Highway to the countless scenic nature spots nearby. There's a hell of a lot see within a three hour drive of the city. So every now and then I'm going to focus on some of the wonderful places that are close by.
Today it's Steep Rock. Located about 2 and a half hours northwest of the city, on the shores of Lake Manitoba, it may be the province's best kept secret.
Today it's Steep Rock. Located about 2 and a half hours northwest of the city, on the shores of Lake Manitoba, it may be the province's best kept secret.
Labels:
for sale,
hdr,
landscape,
outside the city,
steep rock
Riding Mountain National Park may not be Yellowstone, but it's still pretty great. It's one of the most scenic and diverse areas in the province, and if you've never been, I highly recommend the 2.5 hour drive.