Winnipeggers looking to rent in the Fort Richmond/Richmond West area have a striking new option.
On Sept. 1, Globe Property Management opened its latest apartment complex. Located at 2735 Pembina Hwy., the Bolt is a $55-million, 181-unit development featuring a prominent piece of art: a blue lightning bolt sculpture.
According to Globe president and CEO Richard Morantz, the company wanted a name and artwork that conveyed strength — which got staff talking about ancient Greek mythology. Morantz looked up Zeus, the god of the sky and thunder, and read about how he used lightning to protect people and their property.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS
The Bolt is a $55-million, 181-unit luxury apartment block located at 2735 Pembina Hwy..
“That’s where the concept of the Bolt came from,” Morantz said. “It also reminded me of an old Blue Bombers logo and I’ve been a life-long Bomber fan.”
The Bombers reference is fitting, since the Bolt sits just three kilometres from Princess Auto Stadium, the CFL team’s Winnipeg home.
In addition to a strong name and artwork, Globe wanted a building with a powerful look. To that end, the exterior was made using bricks and EIFS (exterior insulation finishing system) stucco — a wall-cladding system known for its crack resistance, moisture control and appealing, coloured finish.
A small sitting area is currently being developed behind the building, as well as a dog run so canine residents of the pet-friendly complex can get some exercise.
Inside the building, the first storey is reserved for ground-level parking and a large room for bicycle storage. Suites fill floors 2 through 8 and come in 11 different layouts, each named after a thunder-and-lightning-related mythological character or deity.
The smallest layout is named Raiden, after the god of thunder in the Mortal Kombat video game series. These one-bedroom, one-bathroom suites are 615 square feet and are available for $1,475 a month.
The largest layout is called Zeus. With three bedrooms and two bathrooms spread over 1,284 sq. ft., these suites cost $2,700 monthly.
The suites have been designed with a clean, contemporary style. They feature vinyl flooring, quartz countertops, walk-in closets, balconies, central air conditioning and in-suite laundry.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS
A one-bedroom, one-bathroom suite at The Bolt is 615 square feet and available for $1,475 a month.
Storage lockers and an exercise room add to the building’s appeal, as does a multi-purpose room that residents can use for social events; it includes a kitchenette and bathroom, officials said.
The property is situated on two acres of land where a Midas Muffler auto shop and Winnipeg Regional Health Authority building once stood.
The lightning bolt sculpture is key, Morantz says, because it’s an expression of gratitude to the building’s neighbours.
“You’re saying, ‘Hi, thank you for letting us be part of your community,’” he said. “Here’s something that we can both enjoy, both being in this community together.”
The sculpture is three metres tall and sits on a one-metre-high pedestal. It’s made of powder coated aluminum and weighs approximately 227 kilograms.
Montreal sculptor Heidi Spector created the artwork. When Spector received the commission, she thought of music icon David Bowie (1947-2016), who used the image of a lightning bolt prominently on his 1973 Aladdin Sane album cover.
The sculpture takes its name, Let the wind blow through your heart, from Wild is the Wind, a song Bowie covered in 1976.
“Growing up, his music was always very special to me,” Spector said. “The idea was to create a sentiment of positivity for the residents of the building.”
Nejmark Architect designed the development and Concord Projects served as the general contractor. Working with Globe was “an honour,” said Nolan Ploegman, president and CEO of Concord Projects.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS
Globe Capital Management president and CEO Richard Morantz (right) shows mayor Scott Gillingham the views from The Bolt, Tuesday.
“They take a lot of pride in the quality of their buildings,” he said. “They didn’t go out to build the cheapest building possible and rent it out for the highest value possible. They’re in it for the long run.”
The Bolt has the approval of Mayor Scott Gillingham, who toured the development Tuesday morning.
“It’s a beautiful building,” he said. “It’s really conveniently located right on Pembina Highway with excellent access to transit and walking and biking facilities, as well. It’s going to be a wonderful home for so many people, whether they’re students or professionals.”
Globe started planning the building five years ago and broke ground in June 2022. It got the occupancy permit last month and has leased more than 55 suites so far.
Seeing people move in is rewarding, Morantz says. “It’s a long process, but it is very satisfying to see it all coming together at the end.”
Aaron Epp
Reporter
Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. He was previously the associate editor at Canadian Mennonite. Read more about Aaron.
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