Bridgwater Centre Commercial Parcel Design Guidelines and Concept Plan, Manitoba

Introduction

A private client engaged Nadi Group to create a concept plan for a 2.95-acre commercial parcel in Bridgwater Town Centre. Given our intrinsic involvement in the development of the entire Bridgwater neighborhoods, we also created a Design Guidelines document specific to this parcel (before the engagement) that addressed the urban design aspirations and Manitoba Housing’s Architectural Vision for Bridgwater Centre.

Project Summary

A significant goal is to ensure that the concept plan resonates with the placemaking principles within Bridgwater Centre--a vibrant commercial, residential, civic, entertainment and community-oriented development that builds on the traditions of successful downtowns and other town centres. The design also acknowledges the “Traditional Renaissance’ architectural character that borrows extensively from precepts of the New Urbanism, architectural styles such as Colonial Revival, Georgian Revival, Cape Cod, Victorian, Arts and Crafts, Prairie and Country.

Some of the key concepts include good wayfinding for the vehicular access, a corner plaza for place-making, active frontage/shopfront along Centre Street and North Town Road, and consistent, vibrant building massing that supports a pedestrian-oriented streetscape. The proposed single-story development (which allows for additional height on corner buildings) includes two drive-thru restaurants and a dozen retail spaces, with loading areas and ample parking for cars, bicycles and accessible needs.

Our Role

Nadi Group's role was to provide a concept site plan, development summary, planning research and a site-specific design guidelines document.