The lobby of True North Square is shown. The plaza of the multi-building downtown development officially opened on Thursday. (HANDOUT)
A water feature is part of the plaza at True North Square. (TRUE NORTH SQUARE / TWITTER)
WINNIPEG — Rain didn’t dampen the spirits of opening day celebrations of the plaza at True North Square on Thursday.
The mixed-use development in the heart of downtown opened the first of two towers, located at 242 Hargrave Street.
“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. “We couldn’t be more pleased to finally show off and share this space with our city.”
A full day of public programming is planned, with evening festivities hosted by Ace Burpee, and appearances by Mick E. Moose and the Winnipeg Jets promo team from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in advance of the Winnipeg Jets vs. New Jersey Devils pre-season game. Food trucks will arrive at 3 p.m.
The Plaza boasts a 56-jet water feature, prairie-inspired landscaping, and a grand staircase featuring wood-clad steps.
The tower at 242 Hargrave welcomed its first tenant in July 2018, when law firm Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP relocated their office to the new building.
Once fully complete, True North Square will be home to another tower at 225 Carlon Street, mixed with 194 high-end residential rental units that will be move-in ready in the spring of 2019. Phase 2 of the project includes True North Square’s third and fourth towers, the Sutton Place Hotel and Residences, to be located on the corner of Carlton Street and St. Mary Avenue with anticipated completion in 2021.
