Im sorry, but this thing is butt ugly.
This will be my first post on UrbanToronto. UT has been a great source of information and updates for me. I am one of the buyers of this "Ugly building"
I grew up in the Parkdale and Ronces, since I was 4 years old.
Bought my first pair of ice skates at Zellers, my barber shop is down the street as well as my yoga studio. I've moved in and out of the city but I knew would move back to this area.
The developer are the owners of lot, this is their first development. The supplied materials to the developers around the city which includes Phoebe and French Quarter...
Some positives are: They designed an internal courtyard which all units face. Considering the views around the building, that being garages and an the alleyway. There are two ponds in the court yard that gather storm water and replenish the internal garden. Water that would otherwise go through our sewers and into the lake ON. The hallways are open and not enclosed. Heating elements embedded in the concrete floors will disburse snow and ice.
With the thought that it would save on heating and cooling costs and ultimately energy that a traditional condo would need to do. There are deliberate cut out throughout the hallways that frame views of the sky and the tree tops. And all buyers have descent outdoor spaces, unlike traditional condos.
Quoting the Architect.
"I didn't want windows looking out on the lane anyway. One thing we did with the windows on the second storey is turn the window, so it faces into a window well...The material inside reflects the light, so you get diffused light into your bedroom and not the view." Peterson describes the building as subtractive.
"You start with a solid plate and then you start to carve away from it. What that really does for us is give us spaces that are not really outside, but not really inside, either."
So this note may be biased but hopefully perspective. It may be an ugly building but a well thought out building. I am excited in being a part of this neighbourhood and I know from speaking to other buyers they are as well...
I love this site!!!