Just as we probably needed more rental in Ice District in addition to the upscale condos to add people and vibrancy in the area, we also do not need really need only more upscale restaurants, coffee shops or bars but a wider range of useful goods and services to make it more attractive for people who live or may want to live downtown.  You shouldn't have to drive to Unity Square to get a light bulb.
I don't have a problem with the Winnipeg example posted here, it actually looks quite nice and it is probably more realistic than all the endless comparisons made to Vancouver or Toronto.
Like it or not, similar to Winnipeg, we are a city that also has negative stereotypes we struggle to overcome.  Edmonton is much bigger and much better off over all, although Winnipeg despite its much smaller size is probably as much of a financial and business center or more and has a lot of great historic character buildings downtown.  
Maybe because of their isolation, they have more sense of community, purpose and vision so yes they have made the Forks while our old power plant has languished for a very long time because our civic leaders don't have much vision.