A retail centre will be a key component of the first phase of Winnipeg’s massive Water Tower District development, with construction expected to start in 2026. 

Shindico Realty announced this month the acquisition of 14.34 acres of land located on the former Canada Packers/Public Markets lands at the southeast corner of Marion St. and Archibald St. The site will be used to build the district’s retail centre, to be known as the Stockyards. 

Being involved with the development feels like a full circle moment for Sandy Shindleman, founder and chairman at Shindico Realty. Fifty-two years ago Shindleman worked at the Union Stock Yards - as a cattle buyer. 

The Water Tower District, now owned by Olexa Developments and being developed in partnership with Shindico, served over 100 years ago as the home to several meat-packing plants. A 112-year-old water tower still stands over the site. 

Now, Shindleman's company is working to help redevelop parts of the 165-acre site into a mixed use community. 

Shindleman told RENX he worked at the cattle yards from 1973 to 1975.

"It's really satisfying," he said. "I moved on to do other things, obviously, (and have) been in the development industry for over 50 years, but I'm able to do it on the same site. I think it's kind of neat."

Olexa Developments is a long-time partner for Shindico, and this latest project builds on a history of ventures together, including the Brookside Business Park.

Shindico will design, construct and lease the first retail component at the District. 

Retail to include national, local tenants

The new retail hub will include a mix of national and local tenants, with numerous drive-thru opportunities, strip-style units and high-visibility pad sites that will cater to locals and commuters along Marion and Archibald streets, Shindleman said. The retail hub will have up to 200,000 square feet of shopping space. 

“We’re excited to bring another premier retail and mixed-use project to an established Winnipeg neighbourhood,” Shindleman said. “As owner and developer of the retail component, Shindico is proud to lead the creation of a high-quality shopping destination that will anchor this landmark infill redevelopment and serve residents for decades to come.”

The district plan aims for a transit-oriented infill redevelopment, transforming the former industrial site into a mixed-use community that integrates retail, housing and employment within a walkable, connected neighbourhood.

Construction of the first multifamily residential phase within the district is scheduled to begin in 2026, with Shindico’s retail component to follow shortly thereafter. The overall plan calls for roughly 2,000 homes in the district. 

District to include homes, parkland, industrial space

The broader Water Tower District master plan includes 21 acres of commercial development, 25 acres of multifamily residential, 22 acres of park land and 70 acres of light to medium industrial development. 

The district will be surrounded by nearby amenities, including St. Boniface Hospital, Bonivital Pool, Windsor Park Golf Course, and Niakwa Country Club.

“We’re thrilled to continue working with Shindico,” said Dan Cristall, founder and CEO of Olexa Developments in a release. “Our experience together at Brookside Business Park exceeded expectations, and we’re confident that the Water Tower District will be another successful collaboration - bringing lasting value to both residents and businesses.”

Shindleman said although there is plenty of traffic that moves through and past the area, it has not benefitted from any new retail or grocery stores in “many, many years.”

"The retail will kick it off," he said. "I mean, the people are driving by it now, and we'll give them an opportunity to drive in. There will be transit available on the site."

He said grocery-anchored retail sites have been among Shindico’s “bread and butter” for more than 50 years.

Shindleman said other developers will be involved in the full build out.

"There will be all kinds of rental accommodations," he said. "Mixed-use (developers will be) doing retail or office or commercial . . . with Olexa Developments selling land to them. Olexa is also looking at doing joint ventures on assisted living."

He said a planned multifamily component to be developed by Shindico will include three to four concrete purpose-built rental buildings with 100-150 units, each — also in a JV with Olexa. 

Other high-rise condo builders could also be involved in future developments in the master plan, Shindleman said.