- Thread starter Ziggy
- Start date
Northern Light
Superstar
Applause on the handy work!
AHK
Senior Member
The staging platform on the west side of the King Toronto site is now complete and in use. Demolition activities for the balance of the structure behind the heritage facade have also resumed.
AHK
Senior Member
Demolition of the west portion of the legacy building is now almost complete - will try to get a photo tomorrow (the gate was already closed today).
Meanwhile, a photo of the former 495 King Street West building - and the amount of work required to stabilize it, and incorporate it into the new structure. When one looks at the building - it is a very basic, elementary brick, post and beam structure, with (to my mind) no visual esthetic appeal. While in the past there have been numerous examples of outstanding buildings in Toronto that were casually dismissed and demolished - that is not to say that every building that is just old, no matter how prosaic in its history or unappealing in its visual appearance - needs to be saved. When one considers
Toronto's Historical Preservation Services department could (in my opinion) be more profitably served by addressing other more worthwhile buildings on its pending list.
And people wonder why the cost of building new housing in the downtown can be so expensive....
Meanwhile, a photo of the former 495 King Street West building - and the amount of work required to stabilize it, and incorporate it into the new structure. When one looks at the building - it is a very basic, elementary brick, post and beam structure, with (to my mind) no visual esthetic appeal. While in the past there have been numerous examples of outstanding buildings in Toronto that were casually dismissed and demolished - that is not to say that every building that is just old, no matter how prosaic in its history or unappealing in its visual appearance - needs to be saved. When one considers
- the sheer cost of saving, stabilizing, and incorporating this small building into the project - steel bracing structure, extensive shoring and foundation structure around the perimeter of the building, etc.;
- located at the back of the site - not going to be very visible (if at all) from King Street; and
- the architectural compromises that were required in the final design, to be able to work in this structure;
Toronto's Historical Preservation Services department could (in my opinion) be more profitably served by addressing other more worthwhile buildings on its pending list.
And people wonder why the cost of building new housing in the downtown can be so expensive....
Benito
Senior Member
Today.
Red Mars
Senior Member
Nov 8 and 9, 2020
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AHK
Senior Member
The westmost portion of the building behind the heritage facade on King Street has now been fully detached from the facade, and is almost completely demolished. One more section to go, to the east, and then the demolition activities on site are basically complete - the building components still remaining are to be incorporated into the new structures.
ciceror
Active Member
Is anyone else disappointed in the height of this build? I mean this was a good location for a nice tall building
ushahid
Senior Member
They could have built something tall here, but I'm perfectly happy with this density.
Mr.Tang
Active Member
not really - Toronto has lots of buildings whose only attribute is tall - this one adds a l0t more interest diversity to this area.
LUVIT!
Senior Member
No this is not an appropriate area for a tall building just for the sake of it. This is/was one of the best stretches of older heritage lower scale buildings in the city. That’s one of the areas draws. There are so many other areas that are appropriate and are currently being dramatically densified with height.
The Preservationist
Active Member
This is probably my favourite in the city under construction after The One. Impressive skylines architecturally make good first impressions with cities however I would contest that the street level experience this one promises provides a more intimate experience.
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GreenCity
New Member
couldn't agree more, I'd take a really good street experience over what kind of hat the building's wearing. The good thing is in this case, hopefully we're gonna get a little bit of both.
karledice
Active Member
This is inline of the height of the rest of the buildings here West of Spadina
They're mid-rise
Also creating this contemporary chic heritage meets modern sort of feel that King West is known for
It's a destination for sure instead of generic tall glass towers
They're mid-rise
Also creating this contemporary chic heritage meets modern sort of feel that King West is known for
It's a destination for sure instead of generic tall glass towers
Riseth
Senior Member
This is a gorgeous mid-rise structure and the height will fit perfectly in this area. We don't need to stick tall glass condos all over the city now, do we? 