Fred Douglas Place - 55+ Life Lease Building

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.