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Redevelopment is coming to Queen and McCaul according to councillor Adam Vaughan's newsletter. He reports:
This property is located at the northwest corner of Queen Street West at McCaul Street. The structure’s current occupant is a convenience store and Subway Restaurant on the ground level with additional retail in the basement. The proposed structure would require the demolition of the current building followed by the erection of a five-storey mixed-used development. The new structure would house a sole retail component on the ground and second levels, followed by office space on the third and fourth, and finally a single residential penthouse on the fifth floor. According to the architect, Robert Chang, the structure’s façade would be composed primarily of glass with a cornice which replicates those on surrounding structures. The building would be pulled back starting on the fourth floor in an attempt to achieve a scale of the structure that is consistent with the surrounding neighbourhood. Chang has stated that the brick used in the building would be similar to the materials used in the Four Seasons Center for Performing Arts. Several residents expressed support for the building. There were a few suggestions made by local residents, including relocating the entrance of the main-floor retail unit away from the Queen-McCaul corner to improve pedestrian flow and prevent conflicts on the corner. The architect has agreed to take this suggestion and move the door to the center of the Queen Street façade. I have been approached to look into widening the sidewalk along McCaul Street to help with congestion. Another concern stated by residents the use of stone on the ground level and the difficulty of removing graffiti from these materials. After the meeting, the architect responded that they would incorporate plantings along the McCaul Street façade to prevent graffiti.
Artist’s rendering of 226 Queen West:
Exisiting building:
While we really like the look of the new building, and we do think it add considerably to the area, we do have to question why the current building is allowed to be torn down. Would the city allow either of these two buildings to come down and be replaced by a modern 5 storey building?
It seems one era's architecture is taken more seriously than another's.
author:voxpopulicosmicum
posted:2008-01-07 21:09:29
