Feather Factory Lofts (Roncesvalles/Dundas, Plazacorp)

[gmania]

Application was refused by the Committee of Adjustment on Wednesday.

 

[riley]

So the project is officially dead forever now? I suppose they can appeal.

 

[cdr108]

Well I'm kind of glad since the developer's actions, according to many posters, was very deceptive throughout the whole situation.

 

[riley]

I agree the developer acted reprehensibly, and should not be rewarded for such bad behaviour, but it is a shame that such a beautiful building will not get to be lived in. What will happen to it now?

 

[catcher_of_cats]

The developer/anyone concerned has the right to appeal to the OMB within 20 days of the decision.

 

[Solaris]

from Novae Res Urbis today:

HERITAGE DESIGNATION
Feather factory lofts

The property owner of the under construction Feather Factory Lofts on Dundas Street West and city planning staff are looking to council to designate the former feather and down factory as a heritage property.

The B.F. Harvey Company Factory, located at 2154 Dundas Street West at the northeast corner of Ritchie Avenue, was originally built in 1911 with an additional two floors added in 1922.

“The building is a good example of an early 20th Century industrial building with classical detailing that is a local landmark on Dundas Street West, south of Bloor Street West,†the report to the Toronto and East York community council meeting last week stated.

The property has been listed on the city’s inventory of heritage properties since 2005 and it meets the criteria for municipal designation under design, associative and contextual value. According to staff, the building is an example of a medium-scaled industrial warehouse, typical of the
type built in the early 20th Century in Toronto.

The original factory was designed by two Toronto architects. The design of the original structure was commissioned in 1910 and James Walker was chosen as the architect. In 1922, architect William F. Sparling designed two
additional floors and a cornice. Sparling is best known for his design of the Masonic Temple, for which he was commissioned in 1918, at Yonge Street and Davenport Road.

The feather and down factory has a solid timber frame construction, robust brick cladding and a symmetrical placement of industrial-scale window openings that are common in industrial design. The original structure was three storeys but with the addition of two storeys in the 1920s, the building
features elements of the popular Edwardian Classical style like the modest parapet and the stonework, say heritage staff.

The building also makes a statement in built form, since it is distinct and visible among the surrounding commercial and residential buildings along Dundas Street West.

Developer Plazacorp has plans to convert the factory into a 43-unit residential building with modern lofts for the Parkdale-High Park ward, but they have been put on hold since the committee of adjustment rejected a requested variance to the zoning by-law to provide less than half of the mandatory indoor and outdoor amenity space. An appeal of the committee’s decision has been filed with the Ontario Municipal Board.

As for the heritage designation, it will come before council at its April 29 meeting.

 

[monty76]

^ Thanks for the info...

How will getting the heritage designation effect the conversion of the building into a residential property? Will it make it easier or more difficult for them.

 

[riley]

From what I understand, if it a designated heritage property then they won't be required to have parking. I think this is what happened at the St. Lawrence Lofts, which were made available as residential lofts with no parking.

 

[ilia]

any news here? Here's a photo I snapped today...

 

[drum118]

April 24
It one of those buildings that you do next to nothing on the outside to change it's looks.

 

[riley]

Does anyone know what the heritage designation decision was? Wasn't it supposed to be resolved yesterday?

 

[monty76]

Looks to have passed with city council... im sure someone will object though.

http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2009/te/reports/2009-03-26-te24-cr.htm

_________________________________________________________________

Intention to Designate under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act - 2154 Dundas Street West

City Council Decision
City Council on April 6, 2009, adopted the following:



1. City Council state its intention to designate the property at 2154 Dundas Street West under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act.



2. If there are no objections to the designation in accordance with Section 29(6) of the Ontario Heritage Act, City Council authorize the solicitor to introduce the Bills in Council designating the property under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act.



3. If there are objections in accordance with Section 29(7) of the Ontario Heritage Act, City Council direct the Clerk to refer the proposed designation to the Conservation Review Board.


————
Committee Recommendations
The Toronto and East York Community Council recommends that:



1. City Council state its intention to designate the property at 2154 Dundas Street West under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act.



2. If there are no objections to the designation in accordance with Section 29(6) of the Ontario Heritage Act, the solicitor be authorized to introduce the Bills in Council designating the property under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act.



3. If there are objections in accordance with Section 29(7) of the Ontario Heritage Act, the Clerk be directed to refer the proposed designation to the Conservation Review Board.


Origin
(February 2, 2009) Report from the Director, Policy and Research, City Planning Division

Summary
The property at 2154 Dundas Street West is listed on the City of Toronto Inventory of Heritage Properties. The owner has requested that the property be designated under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act as part of a redevelopment application. The property contains a former industrial building that is undergoing conversion to residential condominiums.


Background Information (Committee)
TE24.15 - Staff Report - 2154 Dundas St West-Intention to Designate
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2009/te/bgrd/backgroundfile-19630.pdf)



15a Intention to Designate under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act - 2154 Dundas Street West

Origin
(February 20, 2009) Letter from the Toronto Preservation Board

Summary
Advising that the Toronto Preservation Board on February 20, 2009, considered the report (February 2, 2009) from the Director, Policy and Research, City Planning Division respecting 2154 Dundas Street West - Intention to Designate under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act (Ward 14 Parkdale-High Park).


Background Information (Committee)
TE24.15a - Letter from Toronto Preservation Board-2154 Dundas Street West
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2009/te/bgrd/backgroundfile-19631.pdf)

 

[Brahmos]

looks like it went through. "Grand RE-opening" is set for June 6th & 7th.

http://www.torontolofts.ca/feather_factory_home.html

 

[urbandreamer]

Cheaper prices too, iirc.

 

[monty76]

they havent actually got the residential approval, the Ontario Municipal Board Hearing is on May 25-26. Cant believe they are already advertising before actually getting approval.

BTW URBANADREAMER, how do you know the prices are lower? Did you get some of the new pricing info?