[steveve]

Did a tour of the place today. I was surprised by how busy the store was on the (2nd?) day of opening. Perhaps many people just came to check it out, but people were definitely walking out with Whole Foods bags. The store is a pretty good size, and those of exposed ceilings will not be disappointed . And ya the entrance is a bit awkward but not a huge deal... Many elements down in the P1 garage aren't even done yet (exposed surfaces) but i expect those to be finished soon.
Love Hullmark Centre. I only wish there was more indoor retail here like a shopping mall. (to my recollection the rest is just office space right?). There's a ton of pedestrian traffic in the area to support such a thing. I guess they opted out considering Sheppard Centre is across the street.

*I also noticed the signs around the building actually resemble the outline of the towers... kinda neat

Tons more images on my Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/89684407@N05/

 

[sunnyraytoronto]

Originally, for the 5 level podium, they were talking about a multi-level retail space. Of course top floor would be for condo amenity. But that multi-level retail space got reduced to it seems one level (WholeFoodsMarket, RBC, Rexall, Chipotle, Guu, etc,..) and office-condos suites were introduced for the rest of the podium.

Look inside Sheppard Centre,... retail space is dead especially in the lower level,... retail spaces formerly occupied by Cineplex, Grand&Toys, SunRise Records, Coles Bookstore, Octogon Computers are sitting empty,... Sheppard Centre moat retail spaces have been empty for decades!

And early next year, we'll see new 2 level retail space across the street at EmeraldPark,... with first floor full of small PacificMall style shops. If you're wondering how they'll do, go take a look at those small retail shop spaces at WorldOnYonge - more than 2/3 are empty with for sales sign.

 

[steveve]

ahhh... ^ yeah I'm a huge fan of multilevelled retail podiums/below grade. The Time Warner Center is my favourite (funny they have a whole foods there too) and is something I'd love to see here. But not done like Maple Leaf Square's podium which serves a specific purpose but looks like a dead zone most of the time. Empress Walk is a better example.

 

[sunnyraytoronto]

Multi-level retail spaces are really tough to do well because the levels that are further away from the main level need certain type of niche retail that'll draw in customers. Take EmpressWalk for example, Main floor connects well with street level and is quite busy, basement is busy with Loblaws, 2nd floor is usually deserted but now with popular Dollarama has a bit of life, 3rd floor is Cineplex/Empire theatre.

Whole Foods Market is right at street level of HullmarkCentre and should do well due to the heavy pedestrian traffic and direct subway connections. Metro will be on second floor of EmeraldPark and may also be tougher to get to depending on placement of escalators and doorway with Yonge Street frontage. Longos will be on 3rd floor of SheppardCentre,... would you go up 3 levels to fetch your groceries??? That better be one heck of a sale! Having LA Fitness on 4th floor of SheppardCentre makes since because those folks are looking for exercise anyways.

There's also a psychology involved: Whole Foods Market placement of it's cafe right along it's Yonge Street frontage as pedestrian traffic looks for their cup of joe or a quick bite, also showing an enticing cozy invitation into the store itself. North York Civic Centre originally placed its food court in the back of the lower level well away from Yonge Street hoping that will force customers to walk through the mall, but customers refused and just choose somewhere else for lunch; North York Civic Centre recently relocated it's food court to the centre of the main floor. EmeraldPark will place their food court on street level in the back furthest from Yonge Street,... hmmm,... Yonge Street pedestrian traffic tends to vote with their feet!

 

[kris]

@MikeOlivo-Moore

I stitched a couple of the pics you posted and made a pano to show a better scale of how the towers fit the skyline.

 

[Edward]

Nice to see the flat North York skyline starting to disappear.

 

[UrbanAffair]

@MikeOlivo-Moore

I stitched a couple of the pics you posted and made a pano to show a better scale of how the towers fit the skyline.

Sweet, looks good!

 

[BigZ]

Sept 21st

 

[steveve]

Today:

 

[salsa]

The new subway entrance is almost done. From the Sheppard line platform:

 

[steveve]

Recently:

 

[junior43]

This may be the best example of quality twin towers in Toronto in the last 5 years. Ice would be second, losing only to the fact the podium isn't finsished yet, so you can't truly judge it yet.

People,may have more examples of good twins, but off the top of my head, these two are the tops of recent memory.

 

[steveve]

This may be the best example of quality twin towers in Toronto in the last 5 years. Ice would be second, losing only to the fact the podium isn't finsished yet, so you can't truly judge it yet.

People,may have more examples of good twins, but off the top of my head, these two are the tops of recent memory.

Agreed. Although Hullmark isn't perfect (there are 'ugly' sides that contain a fair amount of spandrel on certain faces and the rear end of the podium) but it's amazing where it needs to be. I'm eagerly awaiting the corner plaza to be opened up. I take too many photos of this.
Taken today:

more on photo stream: https://www.flickr.com/photos/89684407@N05/

 

[bizzy]

What is going in the retail space that is next to the 2 Anndale entrance? Looks to have a long patio.

 

[sunnyraytoronto]

What is going in the retail space that is next to the 2 Anndale entrance? Looks to have a long patio.

guu