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Demolition crews have completed tearing down the northern structure of the Loblaws' Warehouse at Lake Shore and Bathurst. According to consultants hired by Loblaws, the one-storey 1934 structure was irreparable and unable to be renovated and reused. While the heritage protected 1928 Art Deco Structure at the southern portion of the site remains standing, the northern warehouse had no such designation.
The demolition, captured by UrbanToronto member RiverCity1, comes in anticipation of Loblaws' proposed major revitalization and redevelopment of the site. Designed by architectsAlliance, the site would include commercial and residential uses with a total of 840 residential units, 859 underground parking spaces, and 17,134 sq. m of retail.
The proposed development inventively integrates the site with the Gardiner Expressway that cuts across its northern edge. A wide, gently sloping walkway from Housely Street would provide direct access from CityPlace to the North to a new Loblaws grocery outlet. Two residential towers would rise above the site with retail at street level along Bathurst including under the Expressway. The heritage facades of the southern structure, currently being gutted and renovated, would be integrated into the site's retail spaces. Five levels of underground parking will serve shoppers with cars, office workers, and residents of the new towers.
The completed demolition of the northern warehouse marks progress on Loblaws' plans for revitalizing the site since 2004. While the northern portion of the site seems ready for development, an approval from council remains far the in the future. A public consultation was called for this fall, but there has yet to be an announcement. UrbanToronto will continue to provide updates on the state of the site and any announcements of future public consultations.
