From the Globe:
RETAIL DEVELOPMENT
Big-box plan on Queen West strip raises alarm
JAMES BRADSHAW AND LORI MCLEOD
January 26, 2008
A new residential and retail complex for Queen Street West near Bathurst Street - expected to bring a Home Depot, among other retailers, to the heart of one of the city's most self-consciously hip neighbourhoods - has received a green light from city hall.
The seven-storey project is to be built on an existing parking lot at Queen and Portland Street.
RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust won approval on Jan. 23 from the city's committee of adjustment after negotiations in which the city used the ambiguous ownership status of an old laneway to press for a design that blends better with the street, which lies within Toronto's only commercial heritage district.
This conservation area stretches one block either side of Queen Street West between University Avenue and Bathurst Street, requiring developers to obtain a city permit verifying that new buildings conform to guidelines. City Councillor Adam Vaughan insists that all aspects of the new complex comply with those guidelines.
"I've never seen a perfect building, but a number of things have been accomplished since the file first came across the desk of the city planner that I think make it a very good building," he said.
Rumours of a big box being slammed down on funky Queen West had already raised the alarm among area residents.
RioCan says it has worked with the city to develop a plan that fits the neighbourhood, including multiple storefronts instead of one big box retailer and a relatively low building height.
"We've worked closely with many different professionals including a heritage architect, and we think the aesthetics will be just remarkable," said Jordan Robins, vice-president of development for RioCan.
With politicians encouraging a reduction in car use and urban sprawl, Mr. Robins said he hopes the project will end up being a model of how urban densification can work without compromising the character of the downtown.
The building's three lower floors will be retail, and the top four, condo units.
The big box space will be on the second and third floors, while two art gallery spaces on Richmond Street aim to draw attention away from a necessary garage door.
At least 10 per cent of its residential units must be three-bedrooms, which Mr. Vaughan hopes will make the building appealing to families. interested in the neighbourhood.
The process is still subject to final approvals, including a 20-day appeal period and final site-plan approval.
If all goes smoothly, construction could begin as early as this summer, Mr. Robins said.
Until then, he said he could not comment on which retailers the building will include. In addition to rumours of an urban format Home Depot geared to condo owners, there is also speculation a grocery store could join a café, a financial services business and one other retail outlet.
"You retain a series of pedestrian and commercial environments rather than one big one like across the street where the Shoppers Drug Mart is," Mr. Vaughan said.
One area resident said she probably won't shop at the new complex, but won't spend a lot of time fretting about it either.
"People in this neighbourhood were also upset about the Starbucks coming here, but they don't have to go there if they don't like it," she said.
_______________________________________________
There is also a small rendering with the article - and it looked urban enough.
AoD