Thanks for this. My point here is not to imply that the rental replacement and tenant protection policies are perfect. But the alternative is worse. Conversion of a rooming house to a single-family is easy, and it comes with basically zero tenant protections. I think it’s safe to assume that...

So is this a de facto policy shift? Are staff ready to accept office demolition as long as there’s some affordable housing involved? If anyone wants to discuss anonymously, please, DM.

The design has evolved. Lots of new information and renders on the site now.

It's funny to be relitigating this, but the "makeover" of the West Island involves demolishing every building, removing almost all of the trees, regrading most of the island and expanding it significantly. The new Therme building will be about the same footprint as the whole island is today.

Paul Karakusevic (who is a fantastic architect) speaks Thursday night at U of T Daniels: https://www.daniels.utoronto.ca/events/1711060200/architecture-and-right-housing-featuring-leilani-farha-and-paul-karakusevic-karen

My goodness, that is ugly. Does it matter? No. does it have to be this ugly? Also no.

If they’re going all residential, this should be a conversion, not a teardown. But yes, this is an affordable housing play.

This is a great idea, and in the long term it will almost inevitably happen. A street of small buildings with mixed uses is a magnet. Kensington and Yorkville are two of the most vital and economically productive places in the whole city. Geary Avenue is heading the same way despite being...

With respect, I disagree with @greenleaf about the landscape. It’s a weird configuration: benches that are perpendicular to the sidewalk and crammed quite close to the plantings between them. The benches themselves are also, being made of grey concrete, quite uncomfortable. We’ll see how...

I'm not sure that a lack of engagement is a problem, but this project is wonderful and I will get to it. Thanks for the suggestion.

It’s entirely possible to put a high-rise on the site, and generate enough revenue to make up for extra construction and operating costs. There are precedents in Toronto for every specific point I mention in the piece. It’s not “the library’s site.” It is the city’s site. The argument here...

The Crystal is getting a renovation. My piece on OpenROM: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/art-and-architecture/article-rom-crystal-renovation-design/

The two towers will connect at the base. They’re doing the demolition, but haven’t completed design for the second phase yet.