For decades, the Exchange District has drawn people in with its iconic architecture and charming cobblestone alleys, evolving from a turn-of-the-century warehouse district into a lively cultural hub and vibrant community. It’s ability to adapt, innovate and transform is what makes it a thriving mixed-use neighbourhood today.
“It’s just so beautiful,” says Heather, a resident in the Exchange. “Where else in the city can you live in a historic loft with some of the best bars and restaurants steps from your front door?”
The first building in the Exchange converted to a residential space was the J. H. Ashdown Warehouse in 1988. Heather, a condo-owner in the building, recognized the potential of the exposed brick unit and location. Between Winnipeg Jazz Fest, Alleyways in the Exchange, the Winnipeg Fringe Festival and Nuit Blanche—not to mention the arts centres within a one-block radius—there is always something do and people to see.
For Heather, the community connection is one of the things she loves most about the Exchange.
“When you can walk to Community Gym in the morning or go to your favourite coffee shop and take your dog to Stephen Juba Park, you get to know your neighbours. When you can walk instead of drive, you open yourself up to human interaction and building connections within your community.”
The opening of Portage and Main last summer marked a huge step forward in increasing walkability and creating a more accessible downtown. And plans to develop the Alexander Docks have the potential to further enhance connectivity to the forks through a water taxi service and Stephen Juba Park trail.
“It’s the best community to live in if you want that urban lifestyle,” says Bryce Alston, Director of Alston Properties, the development company responsible for some of the Exchange District’s most iconic residential buildings, including The Pumphouse, 433 Main, the Porter Building, and 127 Bannatyne Ave, one of the area’s newest development projects.
The 10-storey infill at 127 Bannatyne Avenue replaces a surface parking lot with underground parking, a main floor commercial space, a 2nd floor office space, and 80 residential apartments. The first four levels give 100% site coverage to keep conformity with its neighbouring buildings and the tower portion is set back and subservient, addressing some prior concerns with density by seamlessly blending new with old. A first of its kind in the area, Alston notes the success of this project helps to set a precedent that the Exchange can have new infill developments of reasonable density while integrating with the historic nature and fabric of the community.
“It was built with full masonry on the first four levels using materials that you’d want to see in the exchange – it’s a higher end project,” explains Alston.
The building also features desirable amenities, such as sophisticated security features and a massive rooftop deck with a sauna and phenomenal views. On the main floor, two new restaurant concepts from the group behind Cibo and James Avenue Pumphouse are set to open soon—House of Ma Kitchen + Bar, a modern Asian fusion restaurant, and Highwater Bar & Bistro, rumoured to be a Chicago style bar.
Jay Knysh, owner of the recently revived Gregg Building located in the west side of the Exchange, points toward these modern features that help draw residents in.
“Having brand new amenities within the suites creates a warm, comfortable home,” he shares. Knysh believes that revitalizing existing buildings are what adds character and contributes to a vibrant community. His 125-year-old building even won Heritage Winnipeg’s Residential Conversion Award last year for its success going from a vacant building to 31 beautiful loft-style apartment units. But maintaining and upgrading heritage buildings not only preserves our historic city-scape—it’s also an eco-conscious practice that promotes sustainable development.
New interpretations of these historic buildings and spaces creates a memorable vibrancy that flows onto the surrounding cobblestone streets, alleyways and parks.
Knysh also shares exciting news that Cinnamoon, a new bakery and coffee shop, will be opening up on the ground commercial floor of the Gregg Building this spring.
Another notable addition—Parlour Coffee purchased the Burt Saddlery building on the other side of Community Gym and will be more than doubling its space to make more room for gathering and community building events.
This continued investment into attractive ground-floor spaces encourages pedestrian traffic and is contributing to the evolution of Winnipeg’s core as a diverse, mixed-use neighbourhood, and proves that developers can honour the heritage of the Exchange without compromising on modern, luxury living and affordability. Momentum is building.
“I’m seeing lots of positives right now, with so many new businesses opening and people who genuinely love and care about the exchange and are working to build the community up,” says Heather. “I’m excited to see what the next few years bring.”
