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The city appeal is a cake-and-eat-it-too scenario: oppose the application, but secure Section 37 funding. It's quite easy to describe developers in unflattering terms of self-interest, but in fairness, the public zoning appeal/Section 37 process is risible. Implementation of an updated...

The finely patterned land division in Benito's pictures reminds me of the seigneuries of Quebec, those long narrow frontages with access to the St Lawrence. Yonge really was like a river I suppose, and all you needed was a slip of frontage.

Students have magnified the quality of this neighbourhood, not diminished it. They're the ones walking on street and adding urban vibrancy, drinking at the Ye Old Barn (Marquis de Granby), eating at Gu, drinking latte at Bulldog, and shopping the Joe Fresh. They only occasionally barf on the...

The liquor licence application is for "The Wickson Social." They've created doors and/or windows on the corners of the 5 St Joseph building - sorry I don't have a picture. One if the "Epic Fitness" door which also posts the liquor application, and two are entirely new, complete with arched...

Definitely not a pile driver - especially next to the subway!!! They are drills, set up to form cassions or insert piles. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_foundation

I'm not in favour of relatively unfinished walls in anticipation of future build. For example: on Jarvis and Queen, two service stations sit next to a poorly finished side wall of a new condo. It could take 5-50 years for a new build adjacent to this structure, and the sight will pollute the...

A few years ago I'd heard that the Primrose might convert to a supportive care residence. I doubt this even more now: $43M is an investment which anticipates gains that could only be made by redevelopment. Done properly and with respectful non-shadowing heights, this could be a pair of fine...

An update from a couple weeks ago.

They are demolishing the back portion of the hotel (banquet rooms and service areas).

The new Fedex will sit on the old Cascades plant site. I wonder if this property was parcelled - it's a massive site.

Renders for 70 Carlton and this site have podiums which overhang the sidewalk, which makes them feel oppressive. Sure, they're trying to extract every possible m2 for office or amenity, but that turns the streets into tunnels. I'd recommend these as point towers sans podiums, and make room...

It has a bit of "New York New York" from Vegas about it. Fun, but could go either sketch or Yorkville, depending on the mix of renters and retail that colonize it.

The sloppy site management I really notice, and would concern me if I bought here. How can you hope for attention to detail in interior finishing? The Aura site, on the other hand, was meticulous.

It's fun to see all the subterranean (coal?) services and windows being exposed: over time, the street level rose.

As visually rich as this corner is, the various elements are not quality elements: the Ali Baba building in particular is a half-burned patched structure that evokes archival photos of the Ward.

Connecting and collaboration is currently emphasized in education, in contrast with contemplative study (no value judgement, both have value). As a student, I appreciated Stauffer (Queen's) and Gerstein (UT) library setups - lots of space to sit, with calm lighting. RU can remodel these spaces...

Toronto General Hospital is directly connected to MaRS in the concourse level by a recently renovated and well lit portal. With the Queen's Park and TGH/MaRS connections, this is also a significant underground network. To those in the know - you can access Princess M, M Sinai, and Sicks...

This type of device has been designed out of existence - I can see the risk issues (pinch points). Pity really - it is lovely.

Speak for yourself! *grin* Do not get me wrong - I applaud the renos. However, like any "work," it takes time to look natch.

I think "movie set" when I see these restored historical buildings juxtaposed with gleaming modernity. It evokes faux-history setups in Vegas or Disney themed parks. Until these buildings get messed up a bit with real people, shades, and signage, the impression will remain with me.