Looking at Drum's bottom photo, I note that there is a section of exposed rebar on the bent support for the Gardiner and the rest of the concrete does not look too good either. No doubt the City will finally get round to dealing with these bents (and the road itself) in that section but it REALLY might have been easier for everyone if they had done the section of the Gardiner work directly above this site BEFORE it was finished.
That has been one thing that stood out from day one when building took place under the Gardiner. That should been the time to fix this area up and give the steel a nice coat of paint. Looking at the photo after I post it, I shook my head and said what an eyesore this going to be once those retail units are open.

Going to be fun to put shoring over those buildings and area to do the work, more like sand blasting the steel before painting it.
 

0.jpg
 
Does anyone know whether/when there will be a Post Office at this Shoppers?
 
Last edited:
I passed by the building and wanted to check out the Loblaws today, but was discouraged by the loooong line forming all the way to Lake Shore (the entrance is on the OTHER SIDE of the building, on a private street off Bathurst). Seems like everyone and their grandpas want to check it out on opening weekend. I guess at the time when travel is limited, a new grocery store (albeit a nice one) counts as a novel attraction. Oh well, I’ll be back when it’s no longer a novelty ...
 
I passed by the building and wanted to check out the Loblaws today, but was discouraged by the loooong line forming all the way to Lake Shore (the entrance is on the OTHER SIDE of the building, on a private street off Bathurst). Seems like everyone and their grandpas want to check it out on opening weekend. I guess at the time when travel is limited, a new grocery store (albeit a nice one) counts as a novel attraction. Oh well, I’ll be back when it’s no longer a novelty ...

From what I hear, it is very similar to other Loblaws downtown like MLG. One new thing is the upgraded ready meals/bakery: Pane Fresco concept from Fortinos. Fortinos has very nice bakery, bagels, etc.
 
Photos from a friend who went on the weekend. Notable comments include; great bakery selection, along with a nice large flowers section. The frozen foods area is mostly one long continuous freezer on a wall, instead of being broken down into separate parallel lanes. In her opinion, the overall store is nice but the layout at MLG is a bit more preferable.


IMG-20200913-WA0000.jpg
IMG-20200913-WA0001.jpg
IMG-20200913-WA0003.jpg
IMG-20200913-WA0004.jpg
 
Tue Sep 15, 2020

Checked out the new diggs. Has a decent meat and fish counter(s).
Would bring me back just for those.

Didn't pull out the camera in the store. It's a little more intrusive than a camera phone.

On the way out, I snapped the courtyard. I have a feeling that the new LCBO will be in one of those pods under the Gardiner (on the left side of the photo and out of sight.).


C729667F-E7BD-49C9-AF73-8BFAEDA21449.jpeg
 
Today. Finally managed to check it out. No line-up and it wasn’t crowded at all inside. Shoppers, Loblaws and Joe Fresh are all open now.

37C6973C-D2FF-4409-8944-7C314C0110B1.jpeg


Main entrance. Shoppers and Joe Fresh on 1st floor. Escalators to Loblaws (2nd floor).

E2870405-90E8-4475-9952-072BC25B3693.jpeg


Ready made meals dine-in area

32A1E76A-FF8A-496D-A52C-EA66E384BD0F.jpeg


Deli counter and bakery (Pane Fresco)

022DCA70-60AE-43B5-BF7A-D44CAB7CFEFD.jpeg


Courtyard between the residential towers. There are some amphitheater type area and stairs (still under construction) connecting the courtyard to the pods under the Gardiner

93085E55-F766-49B1-9AB4-07755040EA51.jpeg


Entrance to the east residential tower

9C4FD11D-C505-46EA-96EB-7D4AFC761F3E.jpeg


One of the pods under the Gardiner

E572BAA4-6F90-4F98-9EC0-79941F37EBC9.jpeg
 
1600648388063.png


1600648487956.png


Note there is much to speak highly of in terms of streetscape detail:

1600648674961.png


Litter aside, note the paving material, the quality stone edge to the tree planters, planters filled w/complimentary plants, nice benches as well.

On the subject of the trees, while I would love to have see just a bit more soil volume here, I'm really happy w/the edging of the trees in that it will help protect against salt spray.

If I was being nitpicky, I think I might suggest that the planter be set just bit higher at seat-wall height to further protect the trees. But really, quite a decent effort here.

****

Also found an element of the towers I don't mind................the underside!

1600648933007.png
 

Back
Top