Portage Place
Portage Place is a mixed-use downtown shopping centre and redevelopment site in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Portage Place is a three-level mixed-use shopping centre on the north side of Portage Avenue in downtown Winnipeg, between Vaughan and Carlton Streets. Opened on September 17, 1987, the centre was created as part of a public-sector effort to reverse the decline of north Portage Avenue and strengthen Winnipeg's downtown core. It occupies approximately 439,600 square feet, or 40,840 square metres, and was developed alongside residential accommodation known as The Promenade. The property emerged from the Core Area Initiative launched by the federal, provincial, and municipal governments in 1981. The initiative responded to downtown decline caused by suburban expansion, suburban shopping malls, and the availability of free parking outside the central city. The North Portage Development Corporation, established in 1983 as an arms-length development body, was tasked with encouraging residential, commercial, entertainment, and educational uses in the area. A mall proposal was announced in 1984, and construction followed the demolition of 32 buildings in the project area. Some architectural elements from the demolished structures were incorporated into the centre's façade. The original project cost approximately C$80 million. Portage Place opened with about 130 retail units and attracted an estimated 200,000 visitors on its first day. Its design incorporated three glass-roofed atria, skywalk connections, and an indoor pedestrian route linking parts of downtown Winnipeg. The complex became part of the Winnipeg Walkway system, with connections to Cityplace, Canada Life Centre, and the former Hudson's Bay department-store site. Its Edmonton atrium also houses the Edmonton Court Clock, a reconstructed version of a clock originally installed in Winnipeg's first city hall in 1903. The centre experienced commercial difficulties soon after opening. By 1988, some tenants reported weak evening traffic and sought rent reductions, while anchor retailer Holt Renfrew reduced its operating hours. Critics later argued that the enclosed mall diverted pedestrians from Portage Avenue rather than revitalizing street-level activity. In 1997, the City of Winnipeg expanded nearby street parking and widened sidewalks. That year, Consolidated Properties acquired the centre from Cadillac Fairview; Consolidated later became Aspen Properties. Aspen sold the property to Peterson Investment Group in 2005. Tenant changes and declining retail demand continued in the 2000s and 2010s. Holt Renfrew closed in 2007 and was replaced by Urban Planet, while McNally Robinson announced its departure. In 2010, approximately 15,000 square feet of retail space was converted to offices in response to a reported 15 percent vacancy rate. Service Canada's downtown Winnipeg office moved into the centre in 2013. The IMAX theatre closed in 2013 after several years of losses, and Globe Cinema closed in 2014. Staples, one of the later major occupants, closed in 2020, leaving Shoppers Drug Mart as the principal remaining anchor identified in the available reference material. Portage Place has subsequently become the subject of major redevelopment proposals. Starlight Investments announced a proposed acquisition and extensive refurbishment in 2019 but withdrew from the transaction in 2021. In 2023, True North Real Estate Development, a division of True North Sports & Entertainment, received support for a proposal involving the site's land and air rights. The announced concept, valued at approximately C$500 million, envisioned a broader community campus with grocery, health, cultural, recreational, retail, and residential functions. Proposed components included a 15-storey health-care tower and a 16-storey tower containing affordable housing. Construction reportedly began in March 2025. Later in 2025, the east skywalk and parts of the food court and Edmonton atrium were closed to support construction, with the skywalk expected to remain closed until at least 2028. The available material does not establish the final ownership structure or completed form of the redevelopment.
History
Portage Place was developed in response to the deterioration of Winnipeg's north Portage Avenue during the late twentieth century. Downtown retailers faced competition from suburban shopping centres, where customers benefited from abundant free parking, while the central area experienced declining investment and pedestrian activity. In 1981, the federal, provincial, and municipal governments created the Core Area Initiative to support downtown renewal. The North Portage Development Corporation was established in 1983 as an arms-length public development organization responsible for encouraging residential, commercial, entertainment, and educational projects in the North Portage district. A proposal to realign Portage Avenue and build a new arena was rejected by Winnipeg City Council, but the development corporation proceeded with a large mixed-use shopping-centre project. The mall and the apartments behind it, known as The Promenade, were announced in 1984. The project required the demolition of 32 buildings. By the summer of 1985, the structures occupying the future mall site had been removed, although selected design details from some older buildings were retained in the new façade. Construction took place through 1986, and the approximately C$80 million complex opened on September 17, 1987. Its three floors contained about 439,600 square feet of space, with approximately 130 retail units at opening. The centre also introduced enclosed pedestrian links and skywalk access that connected it with other downtown destinations. Initial public interest was substantial, but commercial performance quickly became contested. In 1988, some merchants complained that customer traffic dropped markedly after 5:30 p.m. and argued for lower rents. Anchor retailer Holt Renfrew reportedly closed earlier than the mall's required evening schedule. Over time, critics claimed that the enclosed design moved pedestrians away from Portage Avenue and weakened rather than strengthened street-level downtown activity. In 1997, the city responded in part by adding street parking and widening sidewalks in front of the complex. Ownership changed in 1997, when Consolidated Properties purchased the mall from Cadillac Fairview. Consolidated later became Aspen Properties, which sold the property to Peterson Investment Group in 2005. Tenant turnover became increasingly visible during the following decade. Holt Renfrew closed in 2007 and was replaced by Urban Planet, while McNally Robinson announced its departure. A 2007 credit-rating report described depressed cash flow and declining average contractual rents, while also observing that the owners appeared committed to supporting the property. The centre adapted some space to non-retail use. In 2010, 13 units totaling approximately 15,000 square feet were converted to offices because of vacancy, particularly in the west wing of the second floor. Service Canada moved its downtown Winnipeg office to the first floor in 2013. Entertainment uses contracted as well: the 276-seat IMAX theatre closed on March 31, 2013, after years of losses, and Globe Cinema closed on June 15, 2014. Staples subsequently closed in 2020, leaving Shoppers Drug Mart as the principal remaining anchor noted in the available material. Portage Place is also a component of Winnipeg's indoor pedestrian network. Its skywalks connect toward Cityplace, Canada Life Centre, and the former Hudson's Bay site. The Edmonton atrium contains the Edmonton Court Clock, whose history predates the mall. The original clock was installed in Winnipeg's first city hall in 1903, and surviving components were reassembled at Portage Place in 1987 using replica faces and hands and electronic chimes. The clock was reportedly inoperable for periods because of construction damage and vandalism. A large fountain formerly operated in the centre but was removed in 2025. A major redevelopment attempt began in 2019, when Starlight Investments proposed buying Portage Place and undertaking a substantial refurbishment with new housing, commercial, business, and retail components. Starlight abandoned the acquisition in September 2021. In 2023, True North Real Estate Development advanced a new proposal involving the property's land and air rights. True North described a roughly C$500 million transformation into a community campus, with a grocery store, social and community services, cultural and recreational functions, affordable housing, and health-care facilities. Shared Health committed to long-term leases for a proposed 15-storey east-end tower, including the Downtown Winnipeg Health Centre for Excellence and the Pan Am Centre for Advanced Musculoskeletal Medicine. A proposed 16-storey west-end tower was intended to provide affordable housing. Construction reportedly began in March 2025. The east skywalk was closed on July 11 to facilitate the work, followed by the closure of the food court and the Edmonton atrium later that month. The available references do not establish the final ownership arrangement, completion date, ultimate tenant mix, or whether every announced redevelopment component will be delivered.
- 2025
Redevelopment construction and closures begin
[1]Construction reportedly began, followed by closures affecting the east skywalk, food court, and Edmonton atrium.
- 2023
True North redevelopment plan announced
[1]True North presented a proposed mixed-use community campus with health, housing, retail, cultural, and recreational functions.
- 2021
Starlight abandons proposed acquisition
[1]Starlight Developments said it would not proceed with the purchase, delaying redevelopment plans.
- 2019
Starlight redevelopment proposal announced
[1]Starlight Investments announced a proposed acquisition and comprehensive refurbishment.
- 2014
Globe Cinema closes
[1]The Globe Cinema location ended operations on June 15.
- 2013
IMAX closes and Service Canada relocates
[1]The centre lost its IMAX theatre while gaining Service Canada's downtown Winnipeg office.
- 2010
Retail-to-office conversion
[1]Thirteen units totaling approximately 15,000 square feet were converted to office space in response to vacancy.
- 2005
Peterson Investment Group becomes owner
[1]Aspen Properties sold Portage Place to Peterson Investment Group.
- 1997
Ownership changes and streetscape improvements
[1]Consolidated Properties acquired the centre, while the city added street parking and widened sidewalks along the mall frontage.
- 1987
Portage Place opens
[1]The three-level, approximately 439,600-square-foot shopping centre opened on September 17 with about 130 retail units.
Products and positioning
A downtown Winnipeg retail and civic destination whose role has evolved from conventional enclosed shopping centre toward a mixed-use community, health, residential, and service-oriented campus.
Shopping-centre retail · 1987
Retail shops
Portage Place has hosted a broad range of retail tenants since opening, including department, fashion, bookstore, office-supply, pharmacy, and specialty retailers. Tenant composition has changed considerably as downtown retail demand weakened and some space shifted to offices and services.
Food service · 1987
Food court and dining
The centre's food court and dining areas served workers, residents, shoppers, and users of Winnipeg's indoor pedestrian network. The food court was closed during the redevelopment work reported in 2025.
Pedestrian infrastructure · 1987
Winnipeg Walkway connections
Skywalks and indoor routes make Portage Place part of Winnipeg's downtown walkway system, connecting toward Cityplace, Canada Life Centre, and other central destinations. Construction-related closures have interrupted parts of this network.
Heritage feature · 1987
Edmonton Court Clock
The Edmonton atrium contains a clock assembled from surviving components of Winnipeg's original city-hall clock. The historic mechanism dates to the early twentieth century, while the Portage Place installation uses replica faces and hands and electronic chimes.
Urban redevelopment · 2025
Mixed-use redevelopment campus
The announced True North concept is intended to broaden Portage Place beyond conventional retail through grocery, community, cultural, recreational, health-care, and affordable-housing uses. The final scope and completed tenant mix remain subject to the progress of construction.
Brand decisions
2023
True North mixed-use redevelopmentStrategyBackground
Portage Place had experienced tenant departures, reduced entertainment uses, and long-term concerns about the viability of its enclosed retail format.
Action taken
True North Real Estate Development proposed a community campus incorporating grocery, health-care, cultural, recreational, community, retail, and affordable-housing uses. Shared Health committed to long-term leases for a proposed east-end health tower.
Aftermath
Construction reportedly began in 2025, with closures to portions of the centre and walkway system. The final outcome remains unconfirmed in the available material.
Announced redevelopment value. Approximately C$500 million announced plan (May 2023 announcement)
2019
Proposed Starlight acquisition and refurbishmentM&ABackground
Declining retail performance and the ageing enclosed-mall format prompted a proposal for a substantial property reset.
Action taken
Starlight Investments announced an intention to acquire the shopping centre and associated land and underground parkade interests, with plans for new residential, commercial, business, and retail space.
Aftermath
Starlight withdrew in 2021 and requested the return of its deposit, so the proposal did not proceed.
Announced acquisition consideration. (2019 proposal)
2010
Convert vacant retail space to officesStrategyBackground
The centre faced reported vacancy, and approximately 15 percent of its space was described as vacant in the reference material.
Action taken
Thirteen retail units totaling approximately 15,000 square feet were converted to office use, primarily in the west wing of the second floor.
Aftermath
The change reflected a shift from a solely retail-oriented model toward mixed commercial occupancy.
Sources2 sources
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