Anyone coming around this bend in the direction of the recent photos will be involved in an accident and may appreciate that street wall as the last thing they ever do!
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- Thread starter urbandreamer
- Start date
42
Miscreant
Senior Member
Yeah, I meant westbound.
ProjectEnd
Superstar
Yegger
Active Member
does anyone think that the lot in the foreground along Adelaide Street would ever get redeveloped into a tower or is it orphaned?
ProjectEnd
Superstar
I've looked at it for a few people. It's very small and you're not going to get a decent plate with the tower separation to the Bond, but as values continue to rise, that will matter less and less.
Things will get even tighter when RioCan moves on their plans for RioCan Hall.
...oops, I've said too much...
Things will get even tighter when RioCan moves on their plans for RioCan Hall.
...oops, I've said too much...
Yegger
Active Member
Nice. If done right, the redevelopment of RioCan Hall will do wonders for Richmond and John. I can see a hotel-mixed use complex on top of the existing theatre. Hopefully the public realm improves too because at the moment the sidewalks are extremely tight and the building really doesn't respond well to such a lively and bustling location
ProjectEnd
Superstar
The building is very much a product of its time (late 90s). The area was just gaining new legs thanks to the Kings changes and Festival Hall, as it was then called, helped breathe an influx of people into the area.
It's interesting to think of how differently the project would be approached today. There likely wouldn't be theaters and no venue (Playdium, C!rca, Marshall's space), but the retail and a couple of towers would certainly be the part of the plan.
Some old photos:
It's interesting to think of how differently the project would be approached today. There likely wouldn't be theaters and no venue (Playdium, C!rca, Marshall's space), but the retail and a couple of towers would certainly be the part of the plan.
Some old photos:
Yegger
Active Member
Very cool indeed! I have to say that the venues and theatre provide a good anchor and serve both residents and visitors of the neighbourhood and it would be unfortunate to lose that (i'm a regular at the goodlife there too). That said, big box retail is most suited for Richmond given the alternatives being King and Queen Street. Thanks for the photos and info @ProjectEnd
ProjectEnd
Superstar
One of the things I love is that "Tons of Parking" is an advertised feature of the building...
Especially considering how many lots existed in those days in the area.
innsertnamehere
Superstar
That was Toronto of that time though.
Toronto of the 90's and early 2000's was way more car reliant and spread out than it is today - the character of the city has really changed since then.
Even today, going to see a movie by car is surprisingly affordable. Scotiabank theatre has $5 parking other than friday and saturday nights, and Varsity has $3 parking during the same times.
Toronto of the 90's and early 2000's was way more car reliant and spread out than it is today - the character of the city has really changed since then.
Even today, going to see a movie by car is surprisingly affordable. Scotiabank theatre has $5 parking other than friday and saturday nights, and Varsity has $3 parking during the same times.
Miscreant
Senior Member
Ahh, Toronto of the 90s.
ProjectEnd
Superstar
canarob
Senior Member
It's weird seeing archival photos from the late 90s. So many great memories at that theatre, but redevelopment makes absolute sense given how much the neighbourhood has changed. It will be tough living without a theatre in the area for years while this is being redeveloped though.
innsertnamehere
Superstar
Yonge-Dundas isn't too far. Ciniplex already splits major releases between the two, so depending on what show you want to see, you may have to go to a different theatre.