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WINNIPEG – A new skyscraper proposed for Main Street close to Portage Avenue will soar 28 or 29 storeys, the developers told city council on Monday morning.

The mixed-use building at Main Street and McDermot Avenue will include 239 hotel rooms with meeting and banquet space to hold 800 people, 30 condominium units in the top six floors, 40,000 square feet of office space, a spa and a restaurant, Creswin Properties said.

The lot at 416 Main St., which was a surface parking lot, underwent geotechnical testing in May. If the city approves the plans, construction will begin in August, the developer said, with an opening date in 2015.

What’s not part of the plan is more parking. Creswin expects a nearby parkade on Albert Street to handle the demand.

“That parkade was originally developed for two office buildings on the complex back when 201 Portage was developed,” said Dan Edwards, the president of Creswin.

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Views of new tower planned for 416 Main Street, released on June 24, 2013. Handout/Creswin

The developer is requesting permission for a hotel entrance off Main Street.

The Main Street entrance, which would be an entrance-only drop-off point for hotel patrons, will force the relocation of a bus stop and subsequent removal of three metered parking spots and a loading zone. Vehicles would exit via the lane at the back of the property.

The development hinges on the city selling a backlane off Albert Street. That has people who own nearby businesses worried.

“Access to the loading dock, traffic flows, is this going to turn into a thoroughfare right beside the building?” asked Matt Cornelsen, owner of The Hammond Building.

Before the project can continue, all the neighbours have to give their approval.

Developers have a letter of intent from a hotel and a list of people willing to purchase condos in the complex.

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