Winnipeg

True North Square Construction in Downtown Winnipeg

Markozen.com Buildings, Winnipeg

Lots of activity at the site

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When it’s all done

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The complex is being built across the street from the home arena of the Winnipeg Jets

The middle square is going to be an area for hockey fans to congregate

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Some action with a cement worker riding a smoother hovercraft

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Portage and Main: then and now

Markozen.com Winnipeg

Portage and Main is an intersection in the middle of downtown Winnipeg, Manitoba. It is well known across Canada as one of Winnipeg’s famous landmarks.  It is also referred to as the windiest street corner in Canada. Combining the wind and arctic temperatures in the winter, it is also known as the coldest major urban intersection in North America, possibly the world. For this reason, along with traffic logistics, pedestrians cannot walk across the intersection, they must go underground into a tunnel system.  In the middle of a windy arctic vortex during the winter, walking across the intersection above ground could cause instant freezing of the face and other extremities.

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Downtown Winnipeg July 3, 2012 (BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

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MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS files A roundabout at the iconic intersection of Portage and Main would work for vehicles and pedestrians.

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Winnipeg Free Press Archives Portage Avenue and Main Street PortageMain February 22, 1977 Construction starts on the Trizec Building (360 Main) and Winnipeg Square the underground mall at Portage and Main. The Trizec Building will open in early 1980 standing 117 m (384 ft) tall and have 31 floors.

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Winnipeg Free Press Archives Portage Avenue and Main Street PortageMain January 25, 1956 Corner of Portage Avenue and Main Street, looking west down Portage.

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The underground where people can cross the famous Canadian intersection

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Tiny Adobe Village in Winnipeg

Markozen.com Buildings, Winnipeg
There is a group of residential structures near the intersection of St. Mary’s Road and Marion Street in Winnipeg that look like it is straight from the desert country of the American southwest.  I have noticed the buildings for years but never took a close look.  They are very interesting when viewed up close.

They are independent apartments situated a few feet apart in a group of around 20 structures.  They are roughly the size of a medium size trailer home.  But the interesting aspect of the buildings is the thick stucco on the outside walls.  The flat roofs are also somewhat different.  The thick stucco gives the buildings the distinct appearance of being adobe. 

An adobe structure is usually defined as being made out of natural building material made from sand, clay, water, and some kind of fibrous or organic material (sticks, straw, and/or manure).  These buildings look very adobe indeed.  The big concrete stucco walls also add to the adobe quality.

The buildings do look old.  They must have been built in the fifties or sixties.  Maybe earlier. It would be a great place to live if the rent wouldn’t be too high (maybe they are condos), because you would never hear your neighbour banging things or playing loud music.

Some pictures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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