[Midtown Hank]

Having direct subway access is of substantial value to a developer, particularly a high rise residential one. I suspect a cost benefit analysis undertaken by the developer determined their decision. Interchange42's assumption that the city's focus was affordable units seems the most plausible.

 

[Tuscani01]

A knock-out panel on B1 is hardly a huge cost burden; shell space between B1 and Ground does have some value, but only in so far as it impacts lost income, since the building would be there anyway.

I think its reasonable enough that the developer provide the shell space and knock-out panel and the City/TTC finance fit-out (pay for the stairs/elevator/ and finishes.

Sure, the developer can refuse, but the City can also refuse the application and make the developer appeal to OLT, at a cost that could easily run to 7 figures, then the City can slow walk permits and penalize the applicant at other locations..

There's is plenty of room for the City to make a polite ask, and take a cooperative look at options, while the developer is quietly reminded that being uncooperative could be vastly more costly than playing nice.

I think the knock-out was included in the settlement offer. I can't imagine them dropping it.

 

[interchange42]

I think the knock-out was included in the settlement offer. I can't imagine them dropping it.

So, now that I've had time to look at the architectural plans... I'm unsure of what's going on here exactly.

Let's start with the lower basement level first, where there's a notch cut out of the building beside where the King Station Melinda Street exit tunnel is built under Colborne Street.

At the upper basement level, that notch persists, so it looks ready to accept a stairway/hall space linked to the Melinda Street exit.

So, up at ground level, despite what we've seen below (above in the case of this post!), there's no accommodation in the plan for anything from down there, and in fact the ground level retail space uses its northern edge for access to stairs and an elevator to reach its second level (where there's more space for retail than on the ground level).

So, what's the idea here?

42

 

[1Ć0]

I was worried this was going to be a zone and flip. So glad Matt clarified this is getting built. I'm sure it's the same for 69 Yonge and 145 Wellington

 

[Collingwoodbuildinglover]

The thing I like most about this rendering is the way that the curves of the podium blend into the tower

 

[Deadpool X]

The thing I like most about this rendering is the way that the curves of the podium blend into the tower

That will probably be the first thing that gets value engineered.

 

[ProjectEnd]

That will probably be the first thing that gets value engineered.

You can't "value engineer" things that' aren't going to happen.

 

[Deadpool X]

You can't "value engineer" things that' aren't going to happen.

I mean value engineer into the oblivion

 

[isaidso]

That will probably be the first thing that gets value engineered.

Well yes, you only see top shelf design like this in top tier global cities. It speaks volumes that proposals of this calibre get built elsewhere but in Toronto they're fantasy. I'd love to be proven wrong, of course.