Toronto King Blue by Greenland | 155.75m | 48s | Greenland | Arcadis

The_Architect said:
It isn't, but an Entertainment district should cater to whatever type of entertainment different people like..

Cities like Montreal have a good reputation (I personally find it overrated) for just that type of entertainment you just named.


Some people don't like clubs. Personally, they aren't my cup of tea either, but they do serve a purpose and there's no point calling something the "Entertainment District" when all there is are a bunch of glass condo towers for people richer than those who would go to these bars/clubs. It'll turn into a dead zone and Toronto will go right back to the reputation of being a boring city.
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Wait a minute... why should we have a single neighourhood that caters to every single form of entertainment? The crowds that are going to shows at the Lightbox and other theatres, and to the galleries, lounges and restaurants aren't the same crowds that are driving in from the 905 to go clubbing. So what exactly is the point of having these two crowds share the same space if there is virtually no overlap? Should we install some batting cages and a ferris wheel down there while we're at it?

What gives Toronto the reputation of being a boring city is the mentality is that we have to create a 'fun zone' where all the fun activities must be located. Different neighbourhoods can have different atmospheres and can provide different kinds of entertainment. In the "Entertainment District", the TIFF/Yorkville crowd is moving in and the club crowd is moving out. Instead of being synonymous with the "Club District" it will become synonymous with the "Theatre District". There's nothing wrong with that. The clubs will find a new home and clubbers will still be able to have a good time in Toronto. In fact, the clubs haven't really gone anywhere, except that they hopped over Spadina and rolled down King West. Theoretically someone wanting to catch a show at the Princess of Wales then go grind to the sounds of LMFAO wouldn't even have to hop in a cab to do it all in one night.

My point is that just because the immediate neighbourhood is losing clubs, doesn't mean that it isn't still going to be a place where people go to be entertained. The neighbourhood, like the clubbers themselves, is just growing up. Here are some of the new kinds of entertainment that the condos and their residents are bringing to the area:

- Festival Tower brought the Lightbox along with the bulk of the TIFF
- Bisha is bringing a boutique hotel, 24 hour cafe and bar with patios, and a restaurant
- Cinema Tower is bringing the Artscape performance space
- Studio is bringing OCAD gallery space
- Theatre Park is bringing a bar/terrace, restaurant and parkette to complement the Royal Alex
- loads and loads of retail
 
Ramako said:
My point is that just because the immediate neighbourhood is losing clubs, doesn't mean that it isn't still going to be a place where people go to be entertained. The neighbourhood, like the clubbers themselves, is just growing up. Here are some of the new kinds of entertainment that the condos and their residents are bringing to the area:

- Festival Tower brought the Lightbox along with the bulk of the TIFF
- Bisha is bringing a boutique hotel, 24 hour cafe and bar with patios, and a restaurant
- Cinema Tower is bringing the Artscape performance space
- Studio is bringing OCAD gallery space
- Theatre Park is bringing a bar/terrace, restaurant and parkette to complement the Royal Alex
- loads and loads of retail
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Exactly. The assumption is that only clubs define entertainment. That is not so.

Just to add, the area is also possesses a strong concentration of entertainment and media-related businesses.
 
Breaking news....the club district has moved to the Ossington strip area.

You guessed it--the area bores me now.

If you follow Bisha on twitter you'd know they update weekly on what's up--currently in the working drawings phase so construction should be under way by April.
 
urbandreamer said:
If you follow Bisha on twitter you'd know they update weekly on what's up--currently in the working drawings phase so construction should be under way by April.
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If Bisha is still currently in the working drawings phase, I wonder what they submitted to the City on December 29th for permits? Vaporware?

Permit Status as of February 8:

56 BLUE JAYS WAY
11 331561 BLD 00 New Building Dec 29, 2011 Not Started
11 331561 HVA 00 Mechanical(MS) Dec 29, 2011 Not Started
11 331561 PLB 00 Plumbing(PS) Dec 29, 2011 Not Started
11 331561 SHO 00 Partial Permit Dec 29, 2011 Not Started
11 331561 FND 00 Partial Permit Dec 29, 2011 Not Started
11 331561 DRN 00 Drain and Site Service Dec 29, 2011 Not Started
11 331561 STR 00 Partial Permit Dec 29, 2011 Not Started
 
Pic taken Feb 22, 2012


XginP.jpg
 
They requested and received a deferral from the Committee of Adjustments in order to slightly amend their proposal.
 
http://www.ward20.ca/events_article.php?article=982

Date: March 14 2012
Time: 7:30 - 9:00pm
Location: Metro Hall, 55 John St, Rm 310
Councillor Adam Vaughan invites you to a community planning meeting about two
development proposals in the King-Spadina area.

Date: Wednesday March 14, 2012
Time: 7:30 – 9:00 pm
Location: Metro Hall, 55 John Street, Room 310

Presentations will be provided on:

1. 355 King St W (Westinghouse building, SE corner of King and Blue Jays Way)
2. 401-415 King St W (LCBO site, SE corner of King and Spadina)

For further information, please feel free to contact us at 416-392-4042 or Councillor_Vaughan@toronto.ca.
 
Press Release from today:

HISTORIC KING WEST CHARMER REACHES FOR THE SKY
The building at 355 King St. W. and Blue Jays Way is a charmer. Understated but striking, its Classical detailing is highlighted by the rare application of terra cotta trim on its brick surface. Torontonians already know and love the building as the one-time home of the Indian Motorcycle Café and Lounge. Add to that its distinguished position as one of Toronto’s oldest buildings, and it’s the ideal future location of King Blue Condominiums–Hotel–Retail.

Built in 1927, this then-three-storey warehouse building was a district sales office for the Pennsylvania-based Westinghouse Company, whose own history goes back to the 19th century. The King Street offices supported Westinghouse’s Canadian factory in Hamilton. In 1934/’35, the company added three more floors for their sales and service departments.

The two statuesque towers of King Blue will include a contemporary luxury hotel, desirable retail stores and chic condominiums. These will be anchored to the streetscape by the north and west elevations of the historic Westinghouse building. Retention of the facade not only pays homage to Toronto’s past while retaining its attractive, distinctive brickwork, but it also offers the builders a unique opportunity to incorporate a public courtyard, further enhancing the desirability of the neighbourhood. This stretch of the Entertainment District has become an eclectic mix of old and new, rough brick and smooth steel, for a vibrant, dynamic feel. Anchored by history, but soaring toward the future, the modern/historic architectural mix at King Blue is destined to enrich it even more.

The dream partnership of Easton’s Group of Hotels and Remington Homes will bring its reputation for excellence to lead a team that includes the best in the city: Page + Steele / IBI Group Architects and interior design firm Munge Leung. Award-winning historical architects ERA Architects will handle the work on the façades.
 
Page + Steele... at this location?

You've got to love the dynamic combination of a predominately suburban developer with a mediocre architectural firm, at King and Peter no less. I'm on the edge of my seat...
 
interchange42 said:
Press Release from today:

HISTORIC KING WEST CHARMER REACHES FOR THE SKY
These will be anchored to the streetscape by the north and west elevations of the historic Westinghouse building. Retention of the facade not only pays homage to Toronto’s past while retaining its attractive, distinctive brickwork, but it also offers the builders a unique opportunity to incorporate a public courtyard, further enhancing the desirability of the neighbourhood.
Click to expand...

"Retention of the facade not only pays homage to Toronto's past"
I can think of many metaphors to describe aforementioned scenario, but "paying homage to Toronto's past" is not a part of any of them.

"(paying lip-service to heritage conservation by essentially demolishing the Westinghouse building and performing a facadectomy)....offers the builders a unique opportunity to incorporate a public courtyard, further enhancing the desirability of the neighbourhood." This amounts to petty carrot-dangling and is an insult to all concerned. They overpaid for the site, that's their problem, not ours.

Express your opposition to the needless demolition of yet another Toronto landmark this Wednesday.

Date: Wednesday March 14, 2012
Time: 7:30 – 9:00 pm
Location: Metro Hall, 55 John Street, Room 310
 
neubilder said:
"Retention of the facade not only pays homage to Toronto's past"
I can think of many metaphors to describe aforementioned scenario, but "paying homage to Toronto's past" is not a part of any of them.

"(paying lip-service to heritage conservation by essentially demolishing the Westinghouse building and performing a facadectomy)....offers the builders a unique opportunity to incorporate a public courtyard, further enhancing the desirability of the neighbourhood." This amounts to petty carrot-dangling and is an insult to all concerned. They overpaid for the site, that's their problem, not ours.

Express your opposition to the needless demolition of yet another Toronto landmark this Wednesday.

Date: Wednesday March 14, 2012
Time: 7:30 – 9:00 pm
Location: Metro Hall, 55 John Street, Room 310
Click to expand...


lol....hate to break it to you but this one's already been approved pal. so your "opposition" won't do much good on wednesday.
 
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