Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/412836
4 THE EXCHANGE F E AT u R E S TO R y Plenty of buzz about Exchange district architecture By Jim Timlick w hether its historic landmarks such as the union Bank Tower or new attractions like the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Win- nipeg's architectural landscape has been a fre- quent topic of conversation for some time. The frequency of those conversations has been steadily increasing of late, something one local architect at- tributes to the recent influx of new public buildings such as the CMHR, MTS Centre and the Manitoba Hydro building. "i think over the last five or seven years there has been more of a buzz or energy about architecture and design and the value it brings to our built community," said Chantal Alary, a principal and landscape architect with ft3 Architecture landscape interior design. "i think people have started to better understand how our built community can affect our everyday well- being. All of these public venues are influencing people to talk about architecture and how they are bringing changes to the urban fabric." interestingly, some of the city's most talked about architecture is also some of its oldest. The Exchange district is a national historic site comprised of 20 city blocks and approximately 150 heritage buildings, many of which have been around since the turn of the 20th Century. We asked several local architects to share stories about their favourite Exchange building. Brent Bellamy, an architect with number TEn Architectural Group, says the union Bank Tower at the corner of Main Street and William Avenue is one of his two personal favourite Ex- change area buildings. Built in 1903, it was Canada's first skyscraper and is now home to Red River College's culi- nary arts and hospitality program and student housing. Bellamy says it was one of the country's first buildings that was constructed with a forward looking vision and included Canada's fastest elevator at the time. Bellamy says he also has a genuine affection for the Manitoba STORy COnTinuEd On PG 5 (TOP) MIkE SCATLIFF OF SCATLIFF+MILLER+MURRAy STANdS IN FRONT OF 90 ALBERT STREET. BRENT BELLAMy, AN ARCHITECT wITH NUMBER TEN ARCHITECTURAL GROUP. PHOTOS By dARCy FINLEy