651 Queen West Restoration (formerly Big Bop)

[cmcint01]

Star article with some comments from the neighbours:
http://www.thestar.com/news/article...h-crate-barrel-conquers-the-big-bop-spot?bn=1

From the article "It’s another swanky ugrade for the strip anchored on the east end at Portland St. by the recently opened Loblaws and Winners stores. The overhaul, which began with Starbucks in 2008, will continue with a new Royal Bank branch in a few months".

Anyone know where the Royal Bank is going?

 

[dob467]

The RBC is going where BLVD Interiors used to be at 570 Queen St W.

 

[AlbertC]

The interior is stunning.

Photos from Torontoist: http://torontoist.com/2012/01/scene-the-restored-big-bop-building-inside-and-out/

& TheGridTO (Click on Gallery+): http://www.thegridto.com/life/design/a-sneak-peek-at-cb2/

 

[egotrippin]

I like that they hung the Big Bop sign inside the restored interior. It's a nice touch, and about the only thing worth remembering about the old Bop. Well, other than memories of shows I guess, but I never liked the place.

 

[canmark]

Nice pics of the interior from BlogTo: http://www.blogto.com/design/cb2-toronto

 

[Gavin]

I like that they hung the Big Bop sign inside the restored interior. It's a nice touch, and about the only thing worth remembering about the old Bop. Well, other than memories of shows I guess, but I never liked the place.

That made me really happy to see as well.

 

[androiduk]

 

[Lenser]

Shame the mansard roof is not being restored. That's just sad. What a grand building it was. Yes, what they've done thus far is doubtless a huge improvement. But they also missed an opportunity to reconnect the city with solid, elegant part of its own heritage.

 

[Register123]

When you say "they" to whom are you referring the city or CB2? Nixing the mansard roof was due to new city codes.

 

[urbandreamer]

I don't really get the hype about this store. Isn't it really just a suburban-style big box store disguised with some heritage feel good aspirations thrown in?

I'd rather have just seen a gorgeous modern 10s infill residential building here.

 

[adHominem]

I'd rather have just seen a gorgeous modern 10s infill residential building here.

Semantic question: could something still be called "infill" when it would require knocking down a perfectly useful heritage structure to build it? I always thought infill meant structures that plugged existing gaps in the urban fabric.

 

[urbandreamer]

No, for example Abacus Lofts is infill. It replaces a crappy single storey building with higher density.

 

[adHominem]

I see. Thanks for the clarification, UD.

 

[SP!RE]

Ah man we NEED more restorations like this. It looks incredible!