Downtown Winnipeg saw more than a thousand new housing units approved in 2025 – the highest total in at least 15 years and possibly the strongest year in the City’s history.
According to data from the City’s Planning, Property & Development department, 1,040 new dwelling units received building permits in 2025, nearly double the strongest pre-pandemic years and a sharp rebound from the post-COVID slowdown.
“This is a clear sign that confidence is returning downtown and our focus on housing is working,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham. “We’re seeing real momentum with cranes in the sky, projects moving forward, and more people choosing to build and live in the heart of our city.”
While older permit data can be difficult to compare directly, staff believe 2025 could be an all-time high for downtown residential permits.
Downtown Residential Building Permits (by new units added)
“We’ve been focused on removing bottlenecks and making it easier to build housing downtown, and this data shows that work is paying off,” said Councillor Evan Duncan, Chair of the Standing Policy Committee on Property and Development. “When we speed up approvals and reduce red tape, we make it easier for projects to move from idea to construction.”
CentreVenture’s new strategic plan builds on this momentum by providing a roadmap to double downtown’s population, reinforcing the importance of keeping housing approvals and construction moving.
“We’re building Winnipeg, and that includes building up our downtown,” said Gillingham. “More residents bring more feet on the street, more safety, more investment, and a stronger future for our entire city.”
Major projects contributing to the 2025 total include Wehwehneh Bahgahkinahgohn at 450 Portage Avenue (373 units), Shanghai Residence at 232 King Street (54 units), and DSM at Donald Street and St. Mary Avenue (160 units).
The momentum is continuing in 2026, as newly announced projects like the St. Charles Hotel, Maw’s Garage and the Sanford Building, the Alloway Building and the Garry Block will add nearly 300 additional residential units downtown.