I know everyone else loves this design, but I just can’t like how the building meets the sidewalk. I do not claim any professional architectural knowledge, but it does seem to me that a distinguishing feature of buildings along Spadina are squared off masonry buildings with windows pierced into the walls. They are solid, honest, sturdy buildings with decorative features that are visually subtle and celebrate the ingenuity and skill from masons and bricklayers who made beauty from uniform, cuboid bricks.
The proposed design is ok, but (to my amateur eye) would be a better fit in the financial district amongst the 1920’s deco ‘scrapers. Visually the building from the third floor upward overreaches its base, making it look top heavy. The shape of the arches look like something from a cathedral rather than the rounded shape that characterizes buildings in the garment district. It’s show-offy and it will break up the line of frontages along the avenue as it will appear to be set back more that its neighbours while still taking up pavement space.
I’ve tried to like it, but I just can’t see what everyone else loves about it… I thought the top was the best bit in the original designs, but that has now changed… am I missing something, or does this just come down to personal taste? At the consultation meeting which I attended on-line the developer made a great deal of proposing a design that fit in with its context, but I just see a building that is trying very hard to not reflect the design motifs of the area. Is the not playing nicely why people like it?