[adma]

It was built when David Crombie was mayor. They instituted a 45 feet plan meaning nothing taller than 45 feet. That's why it is so short.

Well, technically, the limit was "temporary", pending a comprehensive city plan. Yes, the stubbiness may have been a response to Crombie...but the provision was a response to whatever was forthcoming once the limit was lifted. (Though it'd be interesting to see if any renderings exist of what may have been proposed for the top--if they were ever done, of course.)

 

[pw20]

Yup - you're right that's why its so short. But I believe the Foundation can support a taller building.

I'd be quite surprised if Holts moved even if their lease is up. Pre-financial crisis MGMT had big plans to renovate the store. There was talk of a central glass staircase connecting the main floor to where the Spa is now.

 

[Fish&Chips]

How about the HBC at Yonge & Bloor. HBC has been spending a lot of money renovating the Queen St store but Y&B remains a dump. I bet HBC would love to shed that lease. HR could take it over and renovate it, either for a permanent or temporary location and its current location can be razed for condos. Win-win.

 

[MileHigh]

How about the HBC at Yonge & Bloor. HBC has been spending a lot of money renovating the Queen St store but Y&B remains a dump. I bet HBC would love to shed that lease. HR could take it over and renovate it, either for a permanent or temporary location and its current location can be razed for condos. Win-win.

I say they'd still have to knock it down and rebuild it... that place is crap, especially the outside, what were they thinking when they built it.

 

[Northern Magus]

I say they'd still have to knock it down and rebuild it... that place is crap, especially the outside, what were they thinking when they built it.

I'd imagine they were thinking that it was the '70s and brutalism was pretty avant garde.

 

[Tewder]

i will say that the Holts store is not bad looking from the outside (bloor street), but is HORRIBLE for a downtown street wall.

Really? I agree it is not the most interesting of facades but they usually do a pretty decent job with the windows.

 

[Fish&Chips]

I say they'd still have to knock it down and rebuild it... that place is crap, especially the outside, what were they thinking when they built it.

I agree. HR has 5 years left on their lease - enough time to essentially demo HBC and then move in

 

[CN Tower]

I agree. HR has 5 years left on their lease - enough time to essentially demo HBC and then move in

HBC is on the east side of yonge- the poor side. I doubt Holts will ever migrate in that direction.

 

[buildup]

1 Bloor East will pull the wealth across Yonge.

 

[Fish&Chips]

HBC is on the east side of yonge- the poor side. I doubt Holts will ever migrate in that direction.

They said that too about Bay st until the four seasons relocated to the east side.

 

[adma]

Really? I agree it is not the most interesting of facades but they usually do a pretty decent job with the windows.

Actually, I don't mind the Holts exterior, at least before they "pomo-individualized" the eastern half--a sort of retail version of 70s I.M. Pei abstraction...

 

[androiduk]

Soil testing has been going for the last 2 days.

 

[greenleaf]

This parking ramp is really big. Definitely room for two towers, or one giant tower.

 

[drum118]

I was told that the garage is closing beginning 2012.

A 56 and 46 story towers are plan for the site.

That garage was used for many photo shots of various projects in the area.

Now for the next one, 2 blocks west.

 

[Northern Magus]

Those will have to be seriously skinny towers . . . bring 'em on.