christiesplits
Senior Member
It is ironic that an architect like Jack Diamond who prides himself on making efficient "background" buildings that complement local surroundings would build such a monolith.
It is ironic that an architect like Jack Diamond who prides himself on making efficient "background" buildings that complement local surroundings would build such a monolith.
Soop
Active Member
First time posting; been lurking for a while.
I wanted to comment on the building from the inside, as my mother was a patient during the move from the old building to the new. She was doing rehab after back surgery and was thrilled by the new facilities. She had first been at the old building for this surgery and had also previously been at Providence at Warden and St. Clair for surgery rehab in 2012. What a difference!
All the rooms are lovely and big and airy with lots of space to sit by the windows. Her room was the same size as her room at the old building, but there were only two people in it rather that 4. Made it so much easier to negotiate a walker for her and a wheelchair for her roomie. Lots of storage space which is important for patients that are there for weeks or months. And each room shared a roll-in shower room with the room next door (except they hadn't yet installed the rubber strip on the bottom of the door, so there were a couple of floods...but they were slowly fixing all the little things; someone was in every few days to do some little installation).
The physio/exercise room faced west with huge windows, and she enjoyed her physio so much more being able to look out at the cityscape. Her floor had a few different common rooms, either with TV or not, so patients had places to go and visit, rather than just one on her floor at the old place (with a TV where everyone was green, including the Simpsons). Her room faced east, so the view was of the construction site, but she liked seeing what was going on and looking at the architecture of the old buildings.
So from one patient's perspective, it was a fantastic place.
I wanted to comment on the building from the inside, as my mother was a patient during the move from the old building to the new. She was doing rehab after back surgery and was thrilled by the new facilities. She had first been at the old building for this surgery and had also previously been at Providence at Warden and St. Clair for surgery rehab in 2012. What a difference!
All the rooms are lovely and big and airy with lots of space to sit by the windows. Her room was the same size as her room at the old building, but there were only two people in it rather that 4. Made it so much easier to negotiate a walker for her and a wheelchair for her roomie. Lots of storage space which is important for patients that are there for weeks or months. And each room shared a roll-in shower room with the room next door (except they hadn't yet installed the rubber strip on the bottom of the door, so there were a couple of floods...but they were slowly fixing all the little things; someone was in every few days to do some little installation).
The physio/exercise room faced west with huge windows, and she enjoyed her physio so much more being able to look out at the cityscape. Her floor had a few different common rooms, either with TV or not, so patients had places to go and visit, rather than just one on her floor at the old place (with a TV where everyone was green, including the Simpsons). Her room faced east, so the view was of the construction site, but she liked seeing what was going on and looking at the architecture of the old buildings.
So from one patient's perspective, it was a fantastic place.
someMidTowner
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
The only drive-by photo of the day where I actually had my camera handy:
AlvinofDiaspar
Moderator
Soop:
Thank you for your report from the inside - and all the best to your mom's recovery.
re: shared rooms - there is a general movement away from that in all the new hospitals (e.g. Humber River Regional) for many reasons, including infection control.
AoD
Thank you for your report from the inside - and all the best to your mom's recovery.
re: shared rooms - there is a general movement away from that in all the new hospitals (e.g. Humber River Regional) for many reasons, including infection control.
AoD
Riverdale Rink Rat
Senior Member
Driving down the DVP today, I mentioned the downbeat reviews of the building from posters here, and Mrs. RRR was almost ranting as she disagreed. The building may be too imposing for some, but it's sure as hell better than the other towers that loom over the valley (i.e. the apartments on the west side at Gerrard.) It will look a LOT better when the old hospital is gone, as it will be a shot of sparkling glass rising out of the trees.
FWIW, I'm a fan of the cladding, as well. I think it's quite beautiful with all the contrasting shapes and colours.
FWIW, I'm a fan of the cladding, as well. I think it's quite beautiful with all the contrasting shapes and colours.
RiverCity1
Active Member
Great shot, sMT! Such a beautiful building/complex during the day, but looks amazing at sunset.
Ryan_T
Senior Member
Loving all these sunset shots.
DtTO
Active Member
+1. Don't take people's criticism here too seriously though. The general attitude is far too pessimistic and gloomy to afford any healthy discussion.
AlvinofDiaspar
Moderator
FYI, the discussion on this thread had been quite healthy. However, I am not so sure about a comment goading others to ignore negative comments belong in that category.
AoD
AoD
anonymous0024
Active Member
August 14th, 2013:
urbandreamer
recession proof
17 June 2005:
I remember when you posted that so long ago! But how does the US feel today?
I remember when you posted that so long ago! But how does the US feel today?
Ex-Montreal Girl
Active Member
And now it gets interesting ....
This will have a huge impact on what happens at that whole messy Broadview-Gerrard intersection which is looking truly awful lately.
This will have a huge impact on what happens at that whole messy Broadview-Gerrard intersection which is looking truly awful lately.
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RiverCity1
Active Member
Thanks for the update. You can see the part that they are going to demolish (by April) immediately to the east/right of the Old Don Jail in my pics below. It wasn't a flattering addition and it will be nice once it's gone.
It's going to be top notch once fully completed and landscaped. The park should be a destination for locals. The north side of my place overlooks the site; and it comes alive at sunset.
Jan 19th (not at sunset lol)
It's going to be top notch once fully completed and landscaped. The park should be a destination for locals. The north side of my place overlooks the site; and it comes alive at sunset.
Jan 19th (not at sunset lol)
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arvelomcquaig
Active Member
Wait, what? It’s the new jail building that they’re demolishing, right? Not the old one?
DSC
Superstar
Of course, the old one was renovated. (The first posting on this above clearly says "...around the circa 1958 building".)