potential lots for large development?

[Urban Shocker]

How is that relevant to this conversation?

As relevant as the suggestion of Rexdale and the Portlands ( neither are in the core ) that prompted it, I suppose. And maybe a ray of hope for theterribleone with his notion that downtown is "getting all the good stuff" ( if the "Marilyn" towers haven't already put that idea to rest ). Also, I suppose, it puts the underlying assumption of the thread - the idea of a downtown that needs must build tall, high-density development - in perspective. Indeed, a few years ago, in the Pier27 thread, someone suggested that the Aga Khan's development would have been better suited to that smaller waterfront site - but that would have robbed it of the generous open space that is so characteristic of that development. When, in starting the thread, sodapop asks what building types would you like to see built on these lots or on top of heritage buildings I think he acknowledges the restrictions these lots face.

 

[denfromoakvillemilton]

As relevant as the suggestion of Rexdale and the Portlands ( neither are in the core ) that prompted it, I suppose. And maybe a ray of hope for theterribleone with his notion that downtown is "getting all the good stuff" ( if the "Marilyn" towers haven't already put that idea to rest ). Also, I suppose, it puts the underlying assumption of the thread - the idea of a downtown that needs must build tall, high-density development - in perspective. Indeed, a few years ago, in the Pier27 thread, someone suggested that the Aga Khan's development would have been better suited to that smaller waterfront site - but that would have robbed it of the generous open space that is so characteristic of that development. When, in starting the thread, sodapop asks what building types would you like to see built on these lots or on top of heritage buildings I think he acknowledges the restrictions these lots face.

I'm for bigger buildings downtown, I started a thread on in the urban desgin forum.

 

[adma]

I'm for bigger buildings downtown, I started a thread on in the urban desgin forum.

There's more to "urban design" than "downtown", you know.

And of course, UT has a valid point--strategically factoring out the merits of Bata, of course. (Which, in discussions like this, one *has* to do.)

 

[denfromoakvillemilton]

true but at some point we will have to.

 

[RC8]

Toyota dealership at Spadina and Front - and the parking lot right in front. Those two sides of the street being developed will change the face of the whole area. It so far feels that one of the most important 'gates' to downtown Toronto is stupidly underwhelming.

 

[Towered]

^ Totally agreed about that stupid dealership, and the Globe & Mail site right next to it. It probably won't be long though, seeing how Front is rapidly developing both to the east and west of this intersection.

 

[sodapop]

true about front, i wish the front street data center and tower had been built it would have added so much to the front street canyon.

 

[flicks127]

The dealership located on the south-east corner of Front and Berkeley is, believe it or not, a heritage site and cannot be demolished. Even the rear parking lot is protected. It is currently under the auspice of The Ontario Heritage Trust, who are considering turning the existing building into an entertainment venue or conference centre.

Also, due to the lack of urban planning, decent infrastructure and high lease and tax rates, a lot of businesses are relocating to the 905 regions. We should build up around the suburban perimeter of the city, away from the core. Building more condominiums downtown, farther away from employment centres, only taxes our infrastructure.

 

[DSCToronto]

The dealership located on the south-east corner of Front and Berkeley is, believe it or not, a heritage site and cannot be demolished. Even the rear parking lot is protected. It is currently under the auspice of The Ontario Heritage Trust, who are considering turning the existing building into an entertainment venue or conference centre.

Also, due to the lack of urban planning, decent infrastructure and high lease and tax rates, a lot of businesses are relocating to the 905 regions. We should build up around the suburban perimeter of the city, away from the core. Building more condominiums downtown, farther away from employment centres, only taxes our infrastructure.

You are seriously misinformed. The building is NOT a heritage structure but it (or at least part of it) does sit on top of one - Canada's First Parliament. The OHT does own that parcel of the First Parliament Site and the City owns the southern part where the Green P parking lot and the park are. The Province are in negotiation to buy the remainder of the First Parliament site (where the car wash now is) and if/when they succeed the whole of that block will be in public ownership, again. The owners of the car wash site have fairly recently submitted a proposal to build condos on it but the hope is that they will agree to swap their land for a parcel on the east side of Parliament Street.

About 6 weeks ago, the OHT announced that in the interim the former Porsche dealership building will be used as an interpretive centre for the War of 1812 and it is going to open in February 2012. There is more on all this in the First Parliament thread.