b'LANES TO LOFTS Design rendering of Uptown Lofts, courtesy of Nejmark Architect.Academy Lanes goes from recreation to residential in historic redevelopmentBy Matthew BradfordThe third time\'s a charm for Winnipeg\'s 394 Academy Road.Management CEO Richard Morantz told the Winnipeg After 90 years and two transformations, the River HeightsFree Press. "Theres a lot of people who have lived there heritage building is undergoing one more revival as in that community for 40 years, and theyre looking for a Uptown Lofts.multi-family (residential) option, and they are really quite We feel this redevelopment will enhance thelimited in that neighbourhood. So we thought putting some neighbourhood by providing a much-needed infusionupscale apartments in there, that would generateof rental housing along this vibrant retail strip, says Ronsome interest." Penner, Senior Vice President of Operations and COO withPASSING THE TORCH Globe Property Management, the site\'s owner.Central to Uptown Lofts\' transformation is a desireThis is the third renewal for the iconic location. Theto preserve the spirit and legacy of thebuilding was originally constructed in 1931 as the Uptown90-plus-year-old building.Theatre and later renovated in 1960 to become theThe vision for the redevelopment of the Uptown Lofts Academy Uptown Bowling Lanes. In 1989 Globe Propertyrevolves around infusing an eclectic piece of architecture Management acquired the property, holding on to the solewith an eclectic, but complementary, mix of new uses," tenant until 2018, when Academy Lanes rebranded andexplains Tat-Liang Fabio Cheam, Principal with Nejmark moved to a new location. Architect. "The new design will relate to the present culture The teamconsisting of Globe Property Management,the same way the original building design related to the Nejmark Architect Inc. and developer Concord Projects Ltd.culture at the time of construction in 1931. There will be ais now in the process of converting the former recreationfusion of the two eras, while respecting and paying homage destination into a mixed-use property featuring 23 top-tierto the past by preserving the historical features ofrental suites, two commercial units and multiple the building."office spaces. To that end, the plan is to retain the look and feel of the We made the decision at that point to redevelop thebuilding\'s exterior while capturing some of the original property, to try and make it into something that we feltinterior architecture throughout. would be commensurate with the development in theThe owner and architect have chosen to keep the ornate neighbourhood and meet community needs," Globe Capitalvaulted ceiling at the lobby space, which will be restored 36 BUILD MANITOBAwinnipegconstruction.ca'