Softee
Active Member
Before Aura went up, there was nothing there but a parking lot. I'd say that the retail that is there now is certainly more interesting than an empty lot.
That's just accepting what is thrown at you. Settling for something. Which is a typical Toronto attitude.Before Aura went up, there was nothing there but a parking lot. I'd say that the retail that is there now is certainly more interesting than an empty lot.
That's just accepting what is thrown at you. Settling for something. Which is a typical Toronto attitude.
We can demand better and we should expect better. Just because there are 2 bank branches now fronting Yonge St. does not mean it's better.
Are there examples in Toronto where the condo meets the street in a good way? I can't really think of any, although Motion near Dundas & Bay seemed OK.
To me the ideal is narrow storefronts made up of many buildings like we see all over Toronto in all the old main streets.
Like this on Queen W:
https://www.google.ca/maps/preview#...t+West!5m2!1sHo2dA3qPtpOFjnFEMtc6nw!2e0&fid=5
(I'm not saying those specific stores are ideal, but that type of format for the street)
I've also read in the book Happy City that narrow storefronts like the above are preferred by most people.
I do think personally that it's a good thing we filled up many of the parking lots that were all over downtown, but yeah we can do better. Especially at Aura's location.
There actually are quite a few condos downtown with good retail in them, though mostly condos built in the 80's & 90's. Most developers seem to sign tenants that are banks, Starbucks and other chain stores/food outlets that can afford the terms of the lease with newer buildings that have gone up in the past decade or so.
Interesting, are there any examples that stand out to you of a condo which has done a good job at street level?
I'm wondering if the reason is that the rent is high, or does the design of the condo affect the type of retail as well? I've always thought that the width of the storefronts and the size of the area inside played a big factor.
1331 Yonge Street, where 1050 Chum radio station used to be, is slated for demolition to make way for retail and residential space. Why would they do that to such an antquated building I don't know?
No, but it's quite the marquee space. My personal hope would be for Superdry, but not sure they are slated to expand to Canada yet.