Global Village Backpackers Redevelopment (460 King W, Allied REIT, 3s, Gensler)

[Towered]

I was going to say, it really looks unfinished...

 

[AHK]

I was told by a contractor on site that yes - all the external walls would be converted back to brick facades - did not get into details of whether there was original brick underneath that could be restored to, or whether rebuilding with salvaged brick would be required.

The rework of the non-brick areas of the outside walls has begun, starting with the wall on the west side, working from the south corner by the sidewalk, going back. The wall is being opened up removed inwards to the wood framing and insulation. There does not appear to be any brick in the wall at this point - whether or not there ever was any brick originally is hard to tell. Underneath the current surface layer of aluminum siding are multiple levels of fake brick patterned asphalt siding - all to be removed and replaced by new brick.

My assumption - this work on the exterior of the original building is being done now as it could not start until the rebuilding of the interior had reached a point where the structure was sufficiently sound for the exterior wall to be removed.

 

[smably]

There does not appear to be any brick in the wall at this point - whether or not there ever was any brick originally is hard to tell.

According to Goad's Atlas, the corner building was always a wood structure. Seems weird, not to mention historically inaccurate, that they'd reclad it in brick. Are you sure that's the plan?

Here's some more info and historical photos: http://tayloronhistory.com/2012/03/31/history-of-the-backpackers-hotel-at-king-and-spadina/

Apparently the structure on the corner was originally built as a two-storey house, with the the third storey added later when it was converted to hotel use.

 

[MetroMan]

I'm still wondering how they're going to straighten the smaller building. It's sagging along the middle. One of the windows is even buckling.

 

[DSC]

I'm still wondering how they're going to straighten the smaller building. It's sagging along the middle. One of the windows is even buckling.

Yesterday they appeared to be digging under the west wall so maybe installing new (or proper) foundation?

 

[Red Mars]

Pic taken May 22, 2015


A little reveal.

Gone is the blue cladding.

 

[interchange42]

Thumbs upwards-ish.

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[AHK]

Thumbs upwards-ish.

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Well - wait until you see the front facade. If it is anything like the rendering shown last week at the Allied AGM - some may love it, some may feel otherwise....

 

[urbandreamer]

^Thanks for that tip! Just watched the Allied AGM and yes the eye candy was great!

Lov'n it

 

[ProjectEnd]

I believe this is being handled by Gensler.

 

[k10ery]

There's no way they're doing that mock-Tudor nonsense ... is there?

Edit: That mock-Tudor nonsense may in fact be original.

 

[interchange42]

I believe this is being handled by Gensler.

How tightly do you hold that belief? (I'd love to add that to the thread title, but need more…)

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[Tewder]

I hope we get the tudor facade, we just don't see too much of it in non-residential downtown.

 

[TheKingEast]

I hope we get the tudor facade, we just don't see too much of it in non-residential downtown.

I could do without it. Looks good, though.

 

[interchange42]

Gensler confirmed.

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