[smably]

Got a flyer in my mailbox today about a new development at Bloor and Lansdowne with a link to this site: https://1293bloor.community-developmentinfo.com/

There are a few images I'll post below, plus the following project description:

The proposed project consists of a 28-storey mixed-use building, with 247 square metres of retail space at grade and 230 residential units above. The proposal includes the assembly of several properties along Bloor Street West and Lansdowne Avenue, and the replacement of existing rental units on site, in accordance with the City of Toronto’s policies and practices. The building includes indoor and outdoor amenities to serve residents, with some vehicular and bicycle parking provided underground. The building has been designed to preserve sky views, limit shadow impacts on low-rise neighbourhoods, and integrate with the character of the community while improving the adjacent public realm.

It's a fairly large assembly that extends right down Lansdowne and includes the BMO branch on the corner as well as some residential properties on Lansdowne and an older laneway-facing warehouse building:

Looks like a park is planned for the south part of the assembly:

This rendering from the flyer doesn't appear to be on the site but, uh, sure looks like Kirkor!

For context, here's the corner now:

Lansdowne frontage (house just left of centre is 510, which is part of the assembly):

 

[Northern Light]

Got a flyer in my mailbox today about a new development at Bloor and Lansdowne with a link to this site: https://1293bloor.community-developmentinfo.com/

There are a few images I'll post below, plus the following project description:


It's a fairly large assembly that extends right down Lansdowne and includes the BMO branch on the corner as well as some residential properties on Lansdowne and an older laneway-facing warehouse building:
View attachment 418200

Looks like a park is planned for the south part of the assembly:

View attachment 418201

This rendering from the flyer doesn't appear to be on the site but, uh, sure looks like Kirkor!
View attachment 418204

For context, here's the corner now:
View attachment 418205

Lansdowne frontage (house just left of centre is 510, which is part of the assembly):
View attachment 418213

Great site to intensify..............absolutely appalling podium, streetwall and retail/grade experience. Exactly what you'd expect from KirKor.

 

[A Torontonian Now]

I absolutely love the idea of a hidden little pocket park that can only be accessed from a laneway.

 

[smably]

I absolutely love the idea of a hidden little pocket park that can only be accessed from a laneway.

I like that idea too, but I also like the existing building that's back there and would be sad to see it demolished:

(pic by me)

I'd love to see it retained and restored as brick and beam offices or for community use.

 

[adHominem]

Same! I cut down that laneway almost every day and it's a cute little building.

 

[Northern Light]

Application for this one is now live in the AIC:

http://app.toronto.ca/AIC/index.do?folderRsn=vMis3ECuBcUfrOuU8mQ7QQ%3D%3D

* Docs are Up *

Architect is KirKor

South Elevation North Elevation

West Elevation East Elevation

Materials/Finishes ( I will place an enlarged legend below)

There's even more renders (2 of' 'em) in the file; but I think, regrettably, we already get the picture(s).

Sigh. Generally fine w/the brick, but the relationship to Bloor is terrible, the podium is way too busy...........the tower merely lamentable.

Next post will look at the Planning Report.

 

[Northern Light]

Ok.........the Planning Report is weird twice over............

First.......it's by SvN............

Second.........the entire thing is sideways, every single page.

I have extracted 3 bits and rotated them, I gave up trying to read it after that........

Notes on Landscape Plan:

The Good:

New (Additional) planting bed on Lansdowne would use soil cells

Planting bed would be open-trench style.

Landscape Architect knew to specify that the Oaks be dug/planted in spring only!

Downsides:

No trees on Bloor Frontage

Soil volumes per tree inadequate in some places

Firms continue to mis-classify certain plants as native when they are not, native to Toronto.

There seems to be some confusion in the industry which Toronto needs to be clear on........

Native to North America
Native to Eastern North America
Native to Ontario
Native to Toronto

Are all definitions of native. But only the last one is relevant to planting 'native' in Toronto.

One can plant some non-native trees as 'ornamental' ( having aesthetic value while not being invasive)

Just don't mis-state what you are doing!

Also is that pathway pattern in the back almost as busy as the podium or what?

 

[smably]

As our dear Drum would say, it's a real dog's breakfast.

 

[ProjectEnd]

There also ain't a hope in hell it'll be clad in as much precast as is suggested in those drawings.

 

[TossYourJacket]

Has Kirkor ever heard of the idea that "less is more"? There's always way too much going on in their designs.

 

[Lenser]

If they build it as rendered, it will look terrible and go downhill from there. That design is not going to age well either. It looks faddish and confused - like a nod to everything and nothing at once.

 

[UrbanOzz]

me and that BMO had many late nights together years ago while visiting the friendly establishment to the west. i'd wake up and be like "i spent that much? oh no"

 

[Towered]

Why tear down the warehouse tucked in the interior? Repurpose it instead.

Also, you just know the strip club and church to the west will be the next to go.

 

[Lenser]

Kind of inevitable though, isn't it? With the recent activity on Wade Avenue a bit to the north and all the new stuff happening on Sterling, just south-west of there, it's natural that this low-rise zone be intensified.

 

[ProjectEnd]

Especially in the context of the coming Lansdowne GO Station (as well as the existing Lansdowne TTC station).