syn
Senior Member
I actually like the idea of Ryerson spreading on both Yonge and Church.
I'm not suggesting that, just that I don't think it is the most ideal move for Ryerson or for the commercial strip on Yonge. I think it would be better for Ryerson to expand east and develop Church as its main city face, leaving Yonge street for some potential big retailers to move in (granted, not necessarily going to happen tomorrow, but hopefully eventually) so that there are increasingly more large retail anchors to build a healthy commercial strip from Dundas up to Bloor.
What's with the Design Exchange sign? Has anyone heard if they're thinking of moving here? It might be a good fit.
I'm not suggesting that, just that I don't think it is the most ideal move for Ryerson or for the commercial strip on Yonge. I think it would be better for Ryerson to expand east and develop Church as its main city face, leaving Yonge street for some potential big retailers to move in (granted, not necessarily going to happen tomorrow, but hopefully eventually) so that there are increasingly more large retail anchors to build a healthy commercial strip from Dundas up to Bloor.
I wonder what "big retailer" would fit in that space? Are we talking big as in big in size (Walmart? Home Depot?) or big in terms of quality (Apple Store?). Nobody would support the former, in light of historic preservation and the presence of some healthy businesses on the east side of Yonge. I would support the latter, but I can't see how it can't coexist with a Ryerson presence on Yonge Street.
I really believe that you're thinking too rigidly. Great streets always have more than just retail on them. People do more with their lives than just shop. Besides we're talking about one block, not a vast expanse of street.
...of course they do, but on Yonge street between Queen and Bloor they largely shop, and eat, and drink, and spend money, and see nudies. What's wrong with that?
Doesn't the fact that there will be new retail at the bottom of a new building on Yonge Street pave the way, sooner rather than later, for "potential big retailers to move in' on Yonge?
And how does this building prevent "more large retail anchors" from opening on Yonge?
Do Crate & Barrel want a big Ryerson sign over their entrance?
Ground level retail would be better than nothing but I don't see that it 'paves the way' for large retailers. Do Crate & Barrel want a big Ryerson sign over their entrance? And just how large a retail space will there be without being able to add floors?
... once the precedence is set what's to stop Ryerson from buying up other lots along Yonge?
How is that any different than the business building? I think the fact that they want two floors of retail will make it fairly big.
In terms of the space itself, whatever is built will be more functional than Sam's and FS, which were terribly awkward.
Not very likely, considering the expense of land acquisition. Beyond that, Ryerson is not likely to be interested in Yonge street properties significantly north of Gerrard (and the retail for this stretch is already depressed) - and whatever retail south of Gerrard and north of Gould is of very little long-term value. I don't see them getting Zanzibar anytime soon though, considering the grandfathered clause.
AoD
The type of international retail chain that would want a flagship presence on a revitalized strip like Yonge, or on Bloor for that matter would definately want multiple stories.