Toronto 281 Front Street East | 152m | 46s | BRL Realty | Diamond Schmitt

[Northern Light]

Another sterile glass ground floor. I do not understand how the City is still making this mistake. It's become the norm and it is killing the street presence of the city. This pattern should have been rectified years ago, instead the city seems to be doubling down on it. It hurts my soul each time I see it.

I agree. A glass podium just feels out of place here. In a historic area like St. Lawrence and the Distillery District, the podium should really reflect the brick and heritage aesthetic instead of looking overly modern.

A brick-oriented design would blend way better with the police station across the street and even the theatre a block away. It would make the whole stretch feel more cohesive.

I agree w/the sentiments, but don't just get down about it; change it.

This is the time.

Truly, email (or phone) the planner on the file and discuss that. Regrettably, this site is not in a Heritage Conservation District which leaves the Planner one less level on the issue, but they can still be persuasive.

So can the architect. Email DSAI about the project, be nice overall if you want to get the time of day; but ask if they/the client wouldn't consider a more solid, heritage-leaning base that fit with the vernacular of the Distillery District or St. Lawrence areas.

Here's DSAI's basic contact info:

Don Schmitt actually made the presentation, so you could reach out to him directly if you're comfortable; but I won't put his contact out publicly. You could just call the office and ask for him.

I'll see if I can dig up who's helming this one for the City right now. But this is absolutely the time to make changes and this is not a big ask. I think you can sell the proponent on it.

Throw in the danger of window film with too much glazing.

 

[HighRiser]

I agree w/the sentiments, but don't just get down about it; change it.

This is the time.

Truly, email (or phone) the planner on the file and discuss that. Regrettably, this site is not in a Heritage Conservation District which leaves the Planner one less level on the issue, but they can still be persuasive.

So can the architect. Email DSAI about the project, be nice overall if you want to get the time of day; but ask if they/the client wouldn't consider a more solid, heritage-leaning base that fit with the vernacular of the Distillery District or St. Lawrence areas.

Here's DSAI's basic contact info:

View attachment 697305

Don Schmitt actually made the presentation, so you could reach out to him directly if you're comfortable; but I won't put his contact out publicly. You could just call the office and ask for him.

I'll see if I can dig up who's helming this one for the City right now. But this is absolutely the time to make changes and this is not a big ask. I think you can sell the proponent on it.

Throw in the danger of window film with too much glazing.

Thanks! I fired off an email to DSAI. If you can figure out who the planner is on the file at the City I'll contact them too! I tried to find a contact, but can't find any information on the City's website or anywhere for that matter.

 

[DSCToronto]

Thanks! I fired off an email to DSAI. If you can figure out who the planner is on the file at the City I'll contact them too! I tried to find a contact, but can't find any information on the City's website or anywhere for that matter.

You could write to the Community Planning Manager for Ward 13 at

Oren.Tamir@toronto.ca

He could pass it to the specific planner.

 

[HighRiser]

You could write to the Community Planning Manager for Ward 13 at

Oren.Tamir@toronto.ca

He could pass it to the specific planner.

Thank you! I forwarded my email and asked them to get in contact me so I can discuss it. I'm so tired of this pattern own-goals the city seems intent on making and need to hear why they haven't rectified it yet.