Cityplace

Cityplace is a mixed-use office and retail complex in the central business district of Winnipeg, Manitoba. The property occupies the block bounded by Hargrave Street, Donald Street, Graham Avenue, and St. Mary Avenue. It is best known as the successor to Eaton Place, an indoor shopping mall created from the former Eaton's Catalogue and Mail Order building. The complex combines retail and food-court space with offices, parking facilities, pedestrian skywalk connections, and visitor-oriented amenities. The principal historic structure began as an Eaton's catalogue and mail-order warehouse. Designed by Winnipeg architect John Woodman, the building was constructed in 1916. Eaton's later ended catalogue printing in Winnipeg and announced in January 1976 that the catalogue and mail-order operation would close. A clearance sale continued into the summer of that year. Redevelopment work began in November 1977, including demolition of the former clearance salesroom to create space for a spiral parking facility. Eaton Place opened on October 11, 1979, becoming downtown Winnipeg's first indoor shopping mall. Its location beside the city's large Eaton's department store gave it a strong initial customer base and linked it to one of downtown's most important retail destinations. The former department-store site was eventually redeveloped as the arena now known as Canada Life Centre. In December 1980, Cineplex 7 opened on Eaton Place's second floor as Winnipeg's first multiplex cinema. The compact theatres were later closed during the 1990s. Competition increased after Portage Place opened in the late 1980s. Eaton Place responded with interior refurbishment and updated design intended to maintain its position within the downtown retail environment. The property subsequently passed through several ownership phases. Osmington Inc. acquired it in 1998, Israeli investors purchased it in 2003, and Huntingdon Real Estate Investment Trust bought it in 2005. Manitoba Public Insurance purchased the building from Huntingdon REIT in 2009. MPI had already occupied a substantial portion of the office space since 1980 and used ownership as a way to reduce rental costs while retaining a major downtown workplace. The complex has approximately 337,000 square feet of total space, including two retail levels and a food court totaling about 115,000 square feet, together with seven office levels. Cityplace also operates surface parking and parkade facilities. A major expansion of its pedestrian role was completed in 2010, when a 625-foot elevated connection linked the property with the adjacent Delta Winnipeg hotel and convention facilities through Winnipeg's walkway system. Cityplace's second level also functions as a hub within the Graham Skywalk, connecting nearby destinations including True North Square, Millennium Library, and Canada Life Centre, while the St. Mary Skywalk provides access toward the Delta Winnipeg and RBC Convention Centre. A rooftop terrace accessible from the second-level food court opened in 2012. The property hosts a range of food and convenience tenants, medical services, banking, pharmacy, restaurants, and entertainment-oriented uses. Since 2013, the Shark Club sports bar has operated a gaming centre developed with Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries. The venue includes a sports bar, gaming area, slot machines, and table games, although it is formally described as a gaming centre rather than one of Winnipeg's provincially owned casinos. Cityplace has also remained part of debates about downtown property ownership, public-sector real estate, and gambling policy. Reports from late 2019 onward described speculation that the Manitoba government might seek to sell the property, while political opponents argued that a sale could affect MPI's ownership of its offices. The Manitoba Liquor Mart at Cityplace closed in January 2020 and relocated to True North Square. McCor Management became the property's management firm in June 2020. Cityplace continues to serve office workers, downtown shoppers, visitors, event attendees, and transit users, with seasonal programming such as a fall and winter Downtown Farmers' Market.

Cityplace developed from Winnipeg's former Eaton's Catalogue and Mail Order building, a nine-storey structure designed by local architect John Woodman and completed in 1916. The building originally supported Eaton's catalogue and mail-order operations. In January 1976, Eaton's announced that it would stop printing its coloured catalogues in Winnipeg and close the catalogue and mail-order facility. Remaining stock was sold through a clearance operation that continued into the summer. Redevelopment began in November 1977. The former clearance salesroom was demolished to create a spiral parkade, while the main building was adapted for a new retail and office role. Eaton Place opened on October 11, 1979, as downtown Winnipeg's first indoor shopping mall. Its position beside the major Eaton's department store allowed the new centre to benefit from established downtown traffic. In December 1980, Cineplex 7 opened on the second floor as Winnipeg's first multiplex cinema. The theatres were relatively small and ultimately closed during the 1990s. The opening of Portage Place in the late 1980s increased competition among downtown shopping destinations. Eaton Place subsequently updated its interior design and continued operating as a mixed retail and office property. Ownership changed several times: Osmington Inc. acquired the property in 1998, Israeli investors bought it in 2003, and Huntingdon Real Estate Investment Trust purchased it in 2005. Manitoba Public Insurance acquired the building from Huntingdon REIT in 2009. MPI had leased space in the complex since 1980 and occupied approximately 80 percent of the office area at the time of its purchase. The insurer stated that ownership could produce annual savings compared with continued leasing and provide a return on the real-estate investment. Cityplace's role in downtown circulation expanded in 2010 when construction was completed on a 625-foot connection to the Delta Winnipeg and the wider Winnipeg Walkway System. The complex's elevated links connect it with destinations such as True North Square, Millennium Library, Canada Life Centre, the Delta Winnipeg, and the RBC Convention Centre. A rooftop terrace opened in 2012, adding an outdoor amenity to the food-court level. The property includes approximately 337,000 square feet of main-complex space. Retail and food-court uses account for approximately 115,000 square feet across two levels, while seven additional levels provide office space. Parking lots and parkades support both office and retail activity. Tenants and amenities have included restaurants, fast-food outlets, coffee shops, a bank branch, a pharmacy, a walk-in medical clinic, and seasonal market programming. In 2013, True North Sports & Entertainment opened Shark Club at Cityplace. Its associated gaming centre was developed in partnership with Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries and included slot machines and table games. The facility generated controversy because the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs argued that its creation conflicted with commitments concerning First Nations casino development in Manitoba. The Assembly filed a lawsuit against the provincial government in 2017. A provincial moratorium on gambling expansion followed in 2018; the moratorium was later lifted in 2023 by the Manitoba NDP government, which indicated that proposals from Indigenous economic development zones would be considered. From late 2019, possible government action to sell the mall became the subject of public and political discussion. Critics warned that privatization could affect MPI's ownership of its office headquarters. The Manitoba Liquor Mart location closed in January 2020 and moved to True North Square. McCor Management became Cityplace's property manager in June 2020. Cityplace remains an active downtown mixed-use complex whose importance derives from its combination of retail, office occupancy, entertainment, parking, and protected pedestrian access to Winnipeg's central attractions.

• 2020

  McCor Management takes over property management

  [1]Cityplace (Winnipeg)en.wikipedia.org

  McCor Management became the property's management firm in June.

• 2013

  Shark Club gaming centre opens

  [1]Cityplace (Winnipeg)en.wikipedia.org

  True North Sports & Entertainment opened Shark Club and its associated gaming centre at Cityplace.

• 2012

  Rooftop terrace opens

  [1]Cityplace (Winnipeg)en.wikipedia.org

  A rooftop terrace accessible from the second-level food court opened to visitors.

• 2010

  Skywalk connection is completed

  [1]Cityplace (Winnipeg)en.wikipedia.org

  Cityplace was connected to the Delta Winnipeg and the broader downtown walkway network by an elevated pedestrian link.

• 2009

  Manitoba Public Insurance purchases Cityplace

  [1]Cityplace (Winnipeg)en.wikipedia.org

  MPI bought the complex from Huntingdon REIT and became its owner.

• 2005

  Huntingdon REIT becomes owner

  [1]Cityplace (Winnipeg)en.wikipedia.org

  Huntingdon Real Estate Investment Trust acquired the property.

• 1998

  Osmington acquires the property

  [1]Cityplace (Winnipeg)en.wikipedia.org

  Toronto-based private real-estate company Osmington Inc. purchased Eaton Place.

• 1980

  Cineplex 7 opens

  [1]Cityplace (Winnipeg)en.wikipedia.org

  Winnipeg's first multiplex cinema opened on the second floor of Eaton Place.

• 1979

  Eaton Place opens

  [1]Cityplace (Winnipeg)en.wikipedia.org

  The redeveloped complex opened on October 11 as downtown Winnipeg's first indoor shopping mall.

• 1976

  Eaton's announces closure of the catalogue operation

  [1]Cityplace (Winnipeg)en.wikipedia.org

  Eaton's announced that catalogue printing would end in Winnipeg and that the catalogue and mail-order building would close.

• 1916

  Eaton's catalogue and mail-order building is constructed

  [1]Cityplace (Winnipeg)en.wikipedia.org

  The former warehouse at the core of Cityplace was completed for Eaton's catalogue and mail-order operations and designed by Winnipeg architect John Woodman.

A centrally located downtown Winnipeg mixed-use complex combining office space, retail, food services, parking, entertainment, and weather-protected connections to major civic, commercial, hotel, library, and arena destinations.

• Shopping-centre retail · 1979

  Retail and food court

  Cityplace provides two levels of retail and food-court space within its downtown complex. Food and convenience tenants have included McDonald's, Sushi June, Za Pizza Bistro Express, Subway, Tim Hortons, Peg City Poutine, Human Bean Coffee & Tea, A&W, and Bodegoes. The mix is oriented toward office workers, commuters, shoppers, and visitors attending nearby downtown venues.

• Commercial office space · 1979

  Office accommodation

  Seven levels of the main complex are devoted to offices. Manitoba Public Insurance has been a major occupant since 1980 and purchased the property in 2009. The office component gives Cityplace a substantial weekday customer base and anchors the complex beyond its retail function.

• Entertainment and gaming · 2013

  Shark Club gaming centre

  Shark Club combines a sports bar with a gaming centre developed by True North Sports & Entertainment in partnership with Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries. The gaming area has been described as including approximately 5,000 square feet, 140 slot machines, and six blackjack and poker tables. It is formally distinguished from Winnipeg's provincially owned commercial casinos.

• Pedestrian infrastructure · 2010

  Skywalk and walkway connections

  Cityplace serves as a hub in Winnipeg's elevated walkway system. Its Graham Skywalk links the complex with True North Square, Millennium Library, and Canada Life Centre, while the St. Mary connection provides access toward the Delta Winnipeg and RBC Convention Centre. The connections make the complex useful for weather-protected movement through downtown.

• Property amenity · 2012

  Rooftop terrace

  The rooftop terrace, accessible from the second-level food court, adds an outdoor amenity to the otherwise enclosed retail and office complex. It opened in 2012.

• 2017

  Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs lawsuit over gaming expansion

  The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs sued the Manitoba government over the Shark Club gaming-centre arrangement. It argued that the expansion of commercial gaming conflicted with a 2000 agreement concerning the creation of First Nations casinos and that the provincial government was restricting Indigenous access to the Winnipeg gaming market.

  Source

Read more

• Downtown Farmers' Market

  Winnipeg

  Cityplace hosts a Downtown Farmers' Market during the fall and winter months, using the complex's indoor environment to support seasonal shopping and community activity.

  Source

• 2020

  Cityplace changes property management firmsOther

  Background

  The property continued operating as an MPI-owned mixed-use complex after public discussion about a possible sale.

  Action taken

  McCor Management became the property's management firm in June 2020.

  Source

• 2013

  True North launches Shark Club gaming centreProduct launch

  Background

  True North Sports & Entertainment sought to add sports, dining, and gaming activity near Canada Life Centre and within the downtown entertainment district.

  Action taken

  True North opened Shark Club at Cityplace in partnership with Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries.

  Aftermath

  The venue became a recurring focus of debate over commercial gaming, Indigenous casino proposals, and the structure of Manitoba's gambling market.

  • Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs — The organization opposed the gaming-centre arrangement and later challenged the provincial government's gaming policy in court.

  Source

• 2010

  Cityplace expands its role in the downtown walkway systemStrategy

  Background

  The complex sought stronger integration with nearby hotels, convention facilities, and downtown destinations.

  Action taken

  A 625-foot elevated connection to the Delta Winnipeg was completed and incorporated into Winnipeg's walkway network.

  Aftermath

  Cityplace became a more important weather-protected pedestrian hub between major downtown properties.

  Connection construction cost. 6.2 million Canadian dollars (2010 completion)

  Source

• 2009

  MPI acquires Cityplace for strategic occupancy and investment reasonsM&A

  Background

  Manitoba Public Insurance had occupied approximately 80 percent of the office space and had leased space in the building since 1980.

  Action taken

  MPI purchased the property from Huntingdon REIT and retained the complex as a major downtown office and mixed-use asset.

  Aftermath

  MPI expected ownership to reduce annual costs compared with renting and to provide an investment return, although the cited reference does not establish whether those targets were achieved.

  Purchase price. 81.5 million Canadian dollars (2009 acquisition)

  Source

1. 1Cityplace (Winnipeg)en.wikipedia.org
2. 2Cityplace official websitecityplacewinnipeg.com