Winnipeg's True North Square features four mixed-use towers

True North Sports and Entertainment formally introduced its plans for True North Square at an announcement on Wednesday.

In partnership with James Richardson and Sons Ltd., the site will play host to four mixed-used towers, which will include retail, office, hotel and residential spaces.

TNSE President, Jim Ludlow called it the “most strategic downtown development site in Winnipeg.”

He said True North Square is about location, calling it a prime location for people, tenants, clients, residents, and the hospitality and entertainment industry.

Ludlow said the four towers would strategize and redefine the city: “True North Square aims to be as transformative for Winnipeg as Dundas Square and Nathan Phillips is to Toronto.”

PCL Construction began digging at the site in December.

True North Sports and Entertainment's Mark Chipman told a large crowd Wednesday, “the renaissance of our downtown is now well underway.”

The $400-million project has a slightly updated design.

The city and province announced in January, they would spend $26.6 million on public amenities connected to the square.

Projected future property tax revenue from the development will be used to cover the cost.

Design plans are available on the True North Square’s Facebook page.

Two anchor tenants of 201 Portage at Portage and Main are set to move into True North Square.

Scotiabank said it would keep a retail space at its current office location of Portage and Main.

Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP, a 129-year-old law firm is downsizing slightly to move into the new space.

Partner Keith LaBossiere said, “we at TDS are very proud to be the first truly local business with headquarters in Manitoba to join True North Square Inc., The Sutton Place Hotel Company, and Scotiabank and well as the founding partners, to create True North Square.”

Tower 1

True North says tower one is 50 per cent leased.

The 365,000 sq. ft. “class A” office tower and retail podium will feature 9 ft. ceilings, and floor to ceiling glass windows.

It will contain two levels of secure, heated underground parking, a fitness centre, destination dispatch elevators and a conference facility.

Security will be on-hand at the tower 24/7.

It will play host to anchor tenant Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP, which is set to lease the top three floors of the17-storey building.

Scotiabank will move its Prairie head office, including wealth management and commercial offices to tower one, making the formal name for the tower the Scotiabank tower.

Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries is set to open a liquor mart megastore in the building, which will also feature a boutique grocery store.

The Scotiabank Tower is set to be complete in July of 2018.

Tower 2

The 24-storey building will sit at the northwest corner of Graham Ave. and Carlton St.

It features a 200,000 sq. ft. plaza with second level restaurants and retail space, boutique offices, and 145 units of top floor residences.

The residences will have access to exclusive rooftop amenities.

Tower two is set for completion in early 2019.

Towers 3 and 4

Towers three and four will sit on True North Square’s site two, at Carlton St. and St. Mary Ave.

The 27-storey tower three will feature a 275 room luxury Sutton Place Hotel.

Tom Gaglardi, Chairman and CEP of the Sutton Place Hotels said he was approached to be part of the space by True North Sports and Entertainment only three or four months ago.

Gaglardi said the site is an obviously important development for Winnipeg: “I think a catalyst for a lot more.”

Another 130 residential units will fit in the 17-storey tower four.

This site is set to contain indoor swimming and whirlpools, a fitness centre, spa, conference facility, a landscape rooftop garden, along with expected full service valet and world class cuisine by award winning chefs.

Site two is set to be complete likely by the summer of 2020.