UrbanVigor
Active Member
Great article and pictorial.
I was aware that there was some planned redevelopment and that the LCBO would be expanding into the second floor of the old fish market. But I think it was incredibly thoughtful to focus on restaurant tenants for the ground floors of the two buildings. A string of cafes and restaurants with patios is a perfect fit here in what is literally the centre of the St. Lawrence Market and will increase it's liveliness and character.
The article is correct in stating that making it pedestrian-only shouldn't be difficult at all. As lively as this neighbourhood is, Market St. is naturally a walkway more so than a traffic throughfare. I would argue that most that use it are in the know and take it as a short cut or for loading/unloading at the market. It's almost instinctive to just walk down the street as though it were a walkway, but then strange to shift to the side onto the sidewalk.
I know some people may be surprised that a low rise building will be developed where the garage currently is. I think we've become used to towers popping up all over the place. But I think this is testament that the developers are trying to enhance the neighbourhood thoughtfully as opposed to "going big" with a substantial building. At first glance, I can't help but think that the building in the render looks boring. However, this development may end up being more about substance rather than form. Now in that particular render we don't see a pedestrian-only Market St nor any patios. So I'm sure there's more to it than what we see here.
If they do make it pedestrian-only and add charming cafes/restos with patios then it would be a world class improvement to St. Lawrence Market.
I was aware that there was some planned redevelopment and that the LCBO would be expanding into the second floor of the old fish market. But I think it was incredibly thoughtful to focus on restaurant tenants for the ground floors of the two buildings. A string of cafes and restaurants with patios is a perfect fit here in what is literally the centre of the St. Lawrence Market and will increase it's liveliness and character.
The article is correct in stating that making it pedestrian-only shouldn't be difficult at all. As lively as this neighbourhood is, Market St. is naturally a walkway more so than a traffic throughfare. I would argue that most that use it are in the know and take it as a short cut or for loading/unloading at the market. It's almost instinctive to just walk down the street as though it were a walkway, but then strange to shift to the side onto the sidewalk.
I know some people may be surprised that a low rise building will be developed where the garage currently is. I think we've become used to towers popping up all over the place. But I think this is testament that the developers are trying to enhance the neighbourhood thoughtfully as opposed to "going big" with a substantial building. At first glance, I can't help but think that the building in the render looks boring. However, this development may end up being more about substance rather than form. Now in that particular render we don't see a pedestrian-only Market St nor any patios. So I'm sure there's more to it than what we see here.
If they do make it pedestrian-only and add charming cafes/restos with patios then it would be a world class improvement to St. Lawrence Market.