Theatre and concert hall goers are about to get a brand new experience.

If you haven’t been to the Exchange District over the last few months, you may have missed the extensive re-development happening along Market Avenue – home to the Centennial Concert Hall, Pantages Playhouse Theatre and the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre.

An East Exchange re-development project spearheaded by CentureVenture and the City of Winnipeg, the Market Avenue Landscaping project will transform Market into an interactive, illuminating and exciting pedestrian walkway.

Looking to enhance the pedestrian experience and improve the visual appeal of the east side Exchange District, Loretta Martin of CentreVenture says Market Avenue was a natural step to upgrading the neighbourhood alongside the already upscale condos and retail spaces along Waterfront Drive. Currently in the construction step of phase-one, the Market Avenue Landscaping re-development is a two part project.

Included in phase-one Martin says “we plan to widen the sidewalks, plant trees and set benches, as well as establish an innovative lighting system among the established trees that line the streets.” The interactive and prism like lighting system is being developed by Moment Factory of Montreal; a well-respected company whose lighting systems can be seen in urban settings across the world.

This development on Market Street comes at a time when numerous developments are shaping up in the East Exchange including the SunStone Boutique Hotel and restaurant, the Carnaval Brazillian Steakhouse and numerous other condos, residential and retail developments.

Theatre season should not be affected by the Market Avenue redevelopment project much longer as it is expected the final installation will wrap up late November.