It was a grand Grand Opening for True North Square with performances by the Almost Famous Duo and the Lights of the North Festival performers, featuring ceramic pot jugglers, contortionists, and acrobats. Food trucks were on hand to feed the masses and Ace Burpee hosted the evening’s program. Even Mick E. Moose made an appearance before he headed off to the Jets game.
True North Square’s plaza showcases a dynamic gathering space with features that include a 56-jet water feature, unique landscaping with hearty prairie plantings, and a grand staircase featuring wood-clad steps.
“True North Square will now become the gathering place that we have been envisioning since the conception of this project,” said Jim Ludlow, President of True North Real Estate Development (TNRED). “We couldn’t be more pleased to finally show off and share this space with our city.”
True North Square was officially opened with an Indigenous blessing and honour song courtesy of Rebecca Chartrand, Executive Director of Indigenous Strategy at Red River College and members from Red Robe Women’s Singers.
The significance of this milestone for the city of Winnipeg was acknowledged by the Honourable Brian Pallister, Premier of Manitoba, and His Worship, Mayor Brian Bowman, along with TNRED’s Ludlow, and President and CEO of James Richardson and Sons, Limited and project partner, Hartley Richardson.
“True North Square is truly the pinnacle of downtown Winnipeg’s revitalization,” said Premier Brian Pallister. “We are very proud of this historic initiative. It is a shining example of how private sector investment can improve and bring so many benefits to the community. True North Square is open for business and so is Manitoba.”
“True North Square is a transformational project for our downtown and it is wonderful to finally see it come to fruition,” said Mayor Brian Bowman. “Winnipeg’s downtown is experiencing historic private sector investment and revitalization. I would like to thank True North for its record investment and vote of confidence into the future of our city.”
Ludlow acknowledged the project’s strong partnership with PCL Constructors Canada and the innovative architecture and design of Perkins+Will and Architecture49 in bringing the vision of True North Square to life. “This project was complex, with very intricate design elements and a challenging schedule. Between two towers, the plaza, the parkade, and skywalk connections it has really been a series of projects managed and coordinated at once. Our strong design and construction partners have seen us through to these iconic buildings and plaza.”
“Today is a celebration of the growth of our downtown, mounting prosperity for our city, as well as continued progress and the excitement that is still to come for this innovative space,” said Ludlow.
To learn more about True North Square, please visit www.truenorthsquare.com.
PHOTO CREDIT truenorthsquare.com