Issue link: http://tourismwpg.uberflip.com/i/1531485
The Canadian Museum for Human Rights, now an iconic part of the Winnipeg skyline, features architecture designed by Antoine Predock. The building's use of glass, rock and steel tells a powerful story, guiding visitors on a journey from darkness to light along softly glowing alabaster walkways. The structure's symbolism and beauty shift depending on your perspective, offering a unique experience from every angle. One of Winnipeg's latest architectural addition is the $500-million downtown plaza, True North Square. This development includes the Hargrave Street Market, a stunning food hall with a craft brewery, office space above and a separate residential tower. The plaza itself hosts various events year-round, from Salsa Sundays to ice sculptures. The $65-million Winnipeg Art Gallery-Qaumajuq, designed by U.S. architect Michael Maltzan, draws inspiration from the Arctic landscape. Maltzan was captivated by the light quality in Winnipeg, which is reflected in the building's scalloped exterior, casting shadows and playing with sunlight like ice on the tundra. The Forks remains a hub of activity for architects around the world, who participate in an annual international design competition to create striking warming huts displayed along the Nestaweya River Trail. Past contributors include renowned figures such as Frank Gehry, Étienne Gaboury and Anish Kapoor, with designs coming from as far away as the Netherlands, Mexico, Estonia, France and Japan. The Exchange District, a National Historic Site, is renowned for its impressive collection of early 20 th -century cut-stone and terracotta buildings, alongside modernist structures like City Hall and Centennial Concert Hall. This thriving district, now home to a vibrant arts and culture scene, frequently serves as a backdrop for everything from Hallmark movies to Hollywood productions. For those who appreciate fine architecture alongside great food, a visit to the elegantly restored 1912 mansion housing 529 Wellington steakhouse is a must. Stay in a historic property with opulent architecture at The Fort Garry Hotel, Spa and Conference Centre, or for more contemporary tastes, check into the Mere or Alt Hotel. The Esplanade Riel pedestrian bridge, linking downtown Winnipeg to Saint-Boniface, stands as a symbol of the city's rich history and forward-looking spirit. Named after Métis hero Louis Riel, the bridges white spires rise over the Red River, with the peak soaring 57 meters high. Winnipeg Design Festival (September 2025) is Manitoba's largest design event, showcasing the province's boundary pushers in the fields of fashion, furniture, graphic arts, landscape, architecture, urban planning and more through various activities. WINNIPEG BY DESIGN Winnipeg's architecture scene is grabbing the attention of the global design community and beyond for its intriguing blend of old and new, with three distinct waves of development: "Chicago-style" influenced turn-of-the-20th-century architecture, Modernist and today's "Renaissance" 21st century architecture. CMHR: Mike Peters Exchange District BIZ 19 Legends + Tales • Volume 12 • 2025