04-29-2016, 11:10 AM
Does anyone know the status of this project in the approvals process? I know these new images were just released a few weeks ago, but for what purpose?
The Humphreys and Partners Architects web site is showing 90,000 sf of retail, 78,500 sf of office and 544,000 sf of residential space. This is great density for this location, but I do think that the project turns its back on King street which is a massive mistake. This area will see more and more pedestrian traffic as the downtown area intensifies with the new transit node and a project of this size will stand for many years. Imagine if a massive retail/office project turned a giant wall to a major transit/pedestrian artery in Toronto... oh wait, yea the Eaton's Centre... we all know how that destroyed the world-class music and entertainment scene on Yonge from the 60s and 70s. Only recently is Yonge starting to re-invent itself 30-40 years later. Why can't we bring retail space down to grade and restrict vehicular access to the one point shown off Wellington and maintain only one driveway at King? The city's planners should really step in and fight for the pedestrian realm if they're serious about making the KW downtown a truly urban place.
The Humphreys and Partners Architects web site is showing 90,000 sf of retail, 78,500 sf of office and 544,000 sf of residential space. This is great density for this location, but I do think that the project turns its back on King street which is a massive mistake. This area will see more and more pedestrian traffic as the downtown area intensifies with the new transit node and a project of this size will stand for many years. Imagine if a massive retail/office project turned a giant wall to a major transit/pedestrian artery in Toronto... oh wait, yea the Eaton's Centre... we all know how that destroyed the world-class music and entertainment scene on Yonge from the 60s and 70s. Only recently is Yonge starting to re-invent itself 30-40 years later. Why can't we bring retail space down to grade and restrict vehicular access to the one point shown off Wellington and maintain only one driveway at King? The city's planners should really step in and fight for the pedestrian realm if they're serious about making the KW downtown a truly urban place.