Last Friday, April 8th, 2022, was the grand opening of the new Carriage Works project at 206 Princess Street!

In 2018, the under-utilized heritage buildings on Princess Street were purchased by CentreVenture in support of the Northwest Exchange and Chinatown revitalization strategy. Over the next several years CentreVenture planned and established a unique community partnership to develop the buildings into 77 apartment lofts owned by developer Mark Buleziuk and main floor space owned by CentreVenture and anchored by Aceartinc.

Founded in 1983, Aceartinc. is an artist-run centre dedicated to the support, exhibition, and dissemination of contemporary art. Their new 3,100 square foot storefront location at the Carriage Works Princess St. building will host five major exhibitions a year. The building will also house the organization’s offices, members’ resources, artists’ talks, and programming for emerging artists including their Flux Gallery and the Cartae Open School.

Friday’s opening was hosted by CentreVenture’s President and CEO, Angela Mathieson. Heritage Winnipeg’s Executive Director, Cindy Tugwell was in attendance and received a tour of the building. After witnessing the tragic demolition of the former heritage building at 216 Princess Street a few years ago, it is nice to see innovative, mixed-use projects such as this one, pop up in the area!

206 Princess Street, Front Facade. Source: Heritage Winnipeg

206 Princess Street, at the corner of Princess and Rupert Ave. Source: Heritage Winnipeg

Aceartinc. gallery space inside 206 Princess. Source: Heritage Winnipeg

CentreVenture’s President and CEO, Angela Mathieson inside 206 Princess gallery space. Source: Heritage Winnipeg

Interior of one of the lofts in 206 Princess Street. Source: Heritage Winnipeg