The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company is partnering with True North Real Estate Development (TNRED) to build its new North American headquarters at True North Square. Located at the southwest corner of Carlton Street and Graham Avenue in downtown Winnipeg, Wawanesa will be the sole office tenant in this new purpose-built building.
“As a diversified North American insurance company, and Canada’s largest mutual insurer, we’re proud to write the next chapter of our commitment to Manitoba, where our company was founded, by investing in Winnipeg’s evolving downtown core,” said Evan Johnston, SVP, Chief Legal and Strategy Officer, Wawanesa Insurance. “In expanding our presence in Winnipeg, we strengthen our ability to support the growing needs of our 5,000 employees and two million policyholders across North America.”
Over the past five years, Wawanesa‘s Winnipeg-based workforce has doubled in size while the company initiated a transformation process that requires modernized facilities, and strengthening its direction in a globalized insurance industry.
Designed by Architecture49 (A49) and built by PCL Construction, Wawanesa’s goal is to meet the standards of sustainability and employee well-being. According to the insurance team, the building will feature workplace innovations framed around the importance of employee wellness, people connectivity, collaboration, and engagement of staff.
The fifth tower at True North Square will bring approximately 1,100 of Wawanesa’s Winnipeg-based employees together under one roof. This tower aims to create a cohesive and effective work environment and elevate Wawanesa as a community leader in Winnipeg.
“Much like our partner True North, at Wawanesa we understand the importance of being a positive force in the communities where our people live and work,” said Johnston. “We’re eager to join the growing community of organizations in True North Square that, we believe, will contribute to the economic prosperity of the province while allowing us to build a stronger sense of community among our Winnipeg-based employees.”
Wawanesa’s signature building will feature 19 floors, lobby spaces infused with natural light, townhall spaces with direct views into True North Square, and 300,000 square feet of offices and collaborative areas.
As part of the True North Square development, Wawanesa’s headquarters will be connected to Winnipeg’s downtown skywalk system, in close proximity to Bell MTS Place, Cityplace, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the RBC Convention Centre, and the city’s Graham Avenue transit mall.