Save Saint Nicholas
I live in the historic row houses on St. Nicholas, and am outraged at this latest encroachment. As most people know, St. Nicholas is tree lined and cobbled. On the west side of the Street there is a row of 1880s listed row houses and on the east side, there are some newer townhouses that have been constructed to reflect the characteristics of the listed row. The street is heavily pedestrian with many people choosing to walk up St. Nicholas rather than walk up Yonge or Bay. It is a simply an oasis that must be protected and preserved. The only high building south of St. Mary’s is Place Marie apartments which is set in the middle of a large green space.
I have been to the City Planning Office to view the submission from Urban Capital. I viewed all of the plans and read the consultants reports.
After reading the Planning Rational (written by Bousfields Inc). and viewing the renderings of the proposed condo it is become completely apparent that in no way does is this structure appropriate in scale and massing to the existing street (St. Nicholas). The relationship between any structure higher than the existing structures on the corner of St. Nicholas and St. Mary is unsuitable and will ruin the current charm and functionality of the street.
St. Nicholas Street has evolved over the years, in particular with the townhouses of the Polo Club directly across the street. The original designs called for the Polo tower to be placed on this site, but the residence of the historic row opposed, and as such the developer built the existing townhouses to mimic the cottages on the west side of the street.
If this condo project goes ahead, it will significantly impact all of the adjacent properties, including shadow, privacy, and garbage disposal and servicing. (In particular because the entrance to all servicing, garbage and parking will be directly beside the historic row of houses)
There are very few streets like St. Nicholas left in the City and it is my duty to all the people that will live here in 20, 50 and 100+ years in the future to do everything I can do to preserve its current state. It is primarily a pedestrian street and the existing buildings at 15 St. Mary’s and the old Planing Mill (built in the 1880s) at 65 St. Nicholas (which are both slated to be demolished) and highly oriented to the pedestrian. A 44 storey building would be detrimental to the spirit and sensibility of the existing street.
In my discussions with neighbours, and those on my street, I have met not one person who supports this project. It is my great hope that our City Planners will agree with me and issue a Refusal Report to the developer’s request to change the zoning of this particular site.
Anyone interested in joining our fight is TRULY WELCOME!! Please contact the Bay Corridor Community Association @
info@baycorridor.ca