Province, TNRED reach agreement to redevelop Portage Place shopping centre

The Government of Manitoba has reached an agreement with True North Real Estate Development (TNRED) to redevelop the Portage Place shopping centre.

The agreement comes just over a week after Winnipeg’s executive policy committee unanimously voted in favour of a purchase agreement for Portage Place Mall. 

“Together, we are going to transform Portage Place into a centre where you can come to get the health care and the services you need,” said Premier Wab Kinew. “With this project, we can all feel more optimistic about the future of our downtown. This is a great example of what we can accomplish for the people of Manitoba, when we work together.”

Plans for the 1.2 million square feet of retail and office space include a $650-million multi-use facility with two acres of public and outdoor meeting space.

Key to that, a 265,000-square-foot Healthcare Centre of Excellence, which will feature primary care with integrated mental health services, surgery, diagnostics and renal dialysis, and will also become the new home for expanded Pan Am Clinic programs, according to TNRED.

The redevelopment to Portage Place will also support a not-for-profit multi-family housing development with affordable units, a grocery store, neighbourhood wrap-around services and public green spaces, according to the province.

“The future of Portage Place mall is an exciting opportunity for the province to work with our partners to create a downtown that Manitobans deserve,” said Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources Jamie Moses.

“By addressing the housing, health care and public safety needs of the community, the project is an exciting beacon of what downtown Winnipeg can be. Once fully operational, approximately 1,800 Manitobans will be employed full-time at the site, offering a springboard for further economic opportunities to save our downtown. This is a legacy we can all take pride in.”

Additionally, TNRED’s long-standing partnership with the Southern Chiefs’ Organization will continue to grow with this redevelopment through a heritage plaza and park commemorating Canada’s commitment to reconciliation.

“This is a generational opportunity to improve the quality of life in our downtown community, develop a leading-edge healthcare facility through an innovative partnership with the Province of Manitoba and build a significant addition to affordable housing through our partnership with Southern Chiefs’ Organization,” said Jim Ludlow, President, TNRED.

“Just days before observing Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, True North and its partner, the Southern Chiefs’ Organization, applaud the Manitoba government for its support of a revitalization project that contributes to our downtown, including a leading state-of-the-art health facility, much-needed not-for-profit housing and wraparound community services,” said Ludlow. “Together with the government of Canada and the City of Winnipeg, this collaboration is an historic example of economic reconciliation.”

Portage Place mall was first put up for sale in 2019, before receiving funding requests in 2020.