Fred Douglas Place - 55+ Life Lease Building - Winnipeg

This place met all our needs and then some. Everything from the well designed layout, big windows, enclosed balcony/sunroom with an unobstructed view and the most amazing sunsets (and rain storm views), in suite washer/dryer, the ability to renovate if we wish, on floor garbage/recycling, underground parking etc etc. And then there were the things I didn't expect but very much appreciate... an AMAZING community gym with brand new Hoist multi-stations, free weights up to 50lbs dumbbells, and various cardio machines, a wrap around communal balcony and Amenities floor, all the social activities and sense of community - not to mention being connected to the downtown walkway system. The place is very well kept and maintained. Having both owned a house and rented apartments over the years, I can honestly say the Life Lease model is the best of both worlds financially as well as in terms of living quality.

Fred Douglas Place’s downtown location is great for anyone who wants to be within walking distance of live theatres, The Forks, the downtown Y, the Millennium Library, the Centennial Concert Hall, the Winnipeg Art Gallery and Quamajuq, the University of Winnipeg, Canada Life Centre, coffee shops, bars, restaurants, financial institutions, and professional offices. The skywalk is an easy and comfortable way to access much of it all year-round. The building’s design is both attractive and functional. A special feature is the Amenities floor with a library, workshop, TV lounge, pool and shuffleboard tables, kitchen, dining room, gym, plant solarium, and areas for group exercise and other activities. What happens on this floor accounts to a large extent for the neighbourliness and friendship that mark the communal life here. Thumbs up too to the management team! They are exceptional in the way they proactively address maintenance, décor, and safety issues. They work closely with the residents and Residents’ Association to make this a fine place to live. We love living here!

We have lived here about a year. What impressed us most is the sense of community. You really do know your neighbours. There is no reason to be alone unless you want to. You can get to know your neighbours at the morning coffee club or at one of the organized or spontaneous activities that happen here. What we enjoy most is sitting in the solarium and being able to walk though the walkway system to most downtown destinations.

My mother moved into Fred Douglas Place about ten years ago. She lives in a lovely suite with a bright southeast facing sunroom. She really enjoys the easy access to downtown cultural opportunities within walking distance (the Millennium Library, Winnipeg Art Gallery, University of Winnipeg). The FDP building is well maintained and well run, with great staff and resident collaboration. Numerous activities are offered, which helps to enrich residents' experiences. But the *best* thing about FDP is the people who live there. They are really great at supporting and looking out for one another. Thanks FDP!

Moving to Fred Douglas Place 10 years ago was one of the best decisions of my life. I have loved living here! Despite perceptions of downtown living being "not safe" I have always felt comfortable and have enjoyed walking to many venues: entertainment, museums, The University of Winnipeg, restaurants, theatres, etc. Also, the Skywalk affords me access to medical offices, professional offices, retail, food courts--- all indoors --- so pleasant to walk to on a cold winter day. My home is a beautiful one bedroom suite on one of the the upper floors of our building with a semi-circular sunroom overlooking the northwest area. Especially at night I find the lights of the city amazing and I am able to watch planes landing and taking off from the airport! The residents of Fred Douglas Place are "one little village", very supportive and caring and I am so grateful for the many friendships that I have formed over the years. Our management and maintenance team is superior, I believe, to most other apartment/condo/life lease buildings. I am able to partake in a variety of activities on our "Amenities Floor" and am grateful for our library, parties ( pre-covid) , movies to name a few. Our gym is a very special one and I am fortunate to be able to "work out" 7 days a week ---- not likely available at many other residences. My friends and family join me in concluding that I could not have chosen a better place to live at than Fred Douglas Place.

When we were researching Life Leases about 9 years ago, we found that Fred Douglas Place was the most community orientated of the ones that we visited. Luckily we managed to get in fairly quickly and all these years later, have found it to be better than originally thought, It has a great sense of community, lots of activities, a well kept building and good management. A bonus is that it is centrally located in downtown Winnipeg close to the theatres, sporting events and lots of good eating establishments.

Living at Fred Douglas Place gives me easy access to Millennium Library, various University of Winnipeg resources, the Downtown Y, and bus routes. Since moving in over four years ago, I've enjoyed helping with outreach activities such as a little free library, a community garden box, and neighbourhood clean-ups. Underground parking and being connected to the Skywalk system are marvellous.

Fred Douglas Place is first of all a diverse, vibrant, caring community. One floor of the building is dedicated exclusively for amenities such a library, gym, dining area, greenhouse, pool table, shuffleboard, etc. Numerous resident organized activities take place on this floor. An additional feature which I really appreciate is that we are connected to the downtown Skywalk system which is a blessing, especially during our long cold winters.