syn
Senior Member
While this seems like a decent plan for the store I'll definitely miss the old school, giant department store.
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While this seems like a decent plan for the store I'll definitely miss the old school, giant department store.
MetroMan
Senior Member
That's what I thought. My source is a good one though so I'll believe it. The hotel portion seems to involve a tower. Whether its the current HBC tower (the former head office, recently vacated) or they plan on adding a tower above the heritage building.
Nonetheless, the floor plate isn't as large as it seems. The building is long and narrow actually. I can see large suites in the heritage building and regular, more affordable rooms in the tower.
Another option would be to host the common areas and conference centre rooms along the centre of the building (no need for windows) and rooms around the perimeter. The large two floor ballroom on 8/9 would certainly fit a hotel concept quite well.
I'm looking forward to seeing this one pan out. The Bay Queen's floors above 4 are often populated with associates swatting flies. The Department store concept is past its heyday.
I'm told there'll be more info coming as the Christmas season comes near.
taal
Senior Member
When you say tower you mean the one at Yonge and Bloor the one slated for a hotel? Or above the site at Queen and Yonge? The Simpson tower I think?
MetroMan
Senior Member
^ the Simpson tower.
Skeezix
Senior Member
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It still seems extremely unlikely. Who knows. Stanger things have happened, I guess. The floor plates are very large -- it is a real stretch to call them narrow. Using the centre of the building for conference and banquet rooms would require mixing those facilities with guest rooms on each and every floor - a situation most hoteliers would seek to avoid at all costs. A new tower on top of the heritage building would take considerable time to get the necessary planning and heritage approvals, and it isn't a given. The conversion of the Simpson Tower may be more likely, although I believe that there are other office tenants in the building other than the vacating HBC staff - I suppose a hotel could occupy part of the building, but I would have thought Lord & Taylor would sell the building outright and let the new owner make plans for it, rather than dabble in the hotel business itself (even in partnership with others).
sketched
New Member
Good plan
I like the whole concept, it seems like Lord and Taylor is in for the long haul. Zellers is perfect because of all the condos going up there is not really any place to purchase household goods (cleaners, junk food, light bulbs, kids clothing) at cheap prices, it should also work well with the people traveling to work underground from Queen subway to the concourse, they could pick up items on their way to work.
As for the Hotel, seems like a good idea, the last time I went past the 2nd floor was when I was a kid and there was legoland up there, the hotel would do well, its in a great location, walking distance to many attractions and they can also integrate the nice restaurant on the 8th floor. Although I think that the should integrate more of their brands into the building ie. home outfitters and perhaps designer depot on the top floor
I like the whole concept, it seems like Lord and Taylor is in for the long haul. Zellers is perfect because of all the condos going up there is not really any place to purchase household goods (cleaners, junk food, light bulbs, kids clothing) at cheap prices, it should also work well with the people traveling to work underground from Queen subway to the concourse, they could pick up items on their way to work.
As for the Hotel, seems like a good idea, the last time I went past the 2nd floor was when I was a kid and there was legoland up there, the hotel would do well, its in a great location, walking distance to many attractions and they can also integrate the nice restaurant on the 8th floor. Although I think that the should integrate more of their brands into the building ie. home outfitters and perhaps designer depot on the top floor
androiduk
Senior Member
I've always felt the Bay discarded it's impressive heritage. I hope the flagship store goes under the old Hudson's Bay name and takes a more elegant stance. BTW, an employee of the Bay told me a few years ago that the main floor cosmetics section was among the most expensive retail areas in North America. If that's still the case it would explain why Lord & Taylor doesn't want to mess with it.
Hipster Duck
Senior Member
The Hudson's Bay flagship - which was a Simpson's less than a generation ago - lacks that big city swagger that you see in a lot of other upscale department stores in foreign cities. I would actually say that in this city, to a large degree, Holt's has taken over that role from both Eaton's and the Bay. During a decade when analysts decried the demise of the Canadian department store, Holt's managed to become more diversified and a more interesting destination to visit, even if you don't shop. There's still a place for department stores.
Oh, and I hope that any transformation of the Bloor street Bay includes a complete overhaul of that ratty exterior.
re: Heritage.
Yeah, I associate HBC stores with suburban mid-market linen shopping these days, thanks to Home Outfitters and Zellers.
Oh, and I hope that any transformation of the Bloor street Bay includes a complete overhaul of that ratty exterior.
re: Heritage.
Yeah, I associate HBC stores with suburban mid-market linen shopping these days, thanks to Home Outfitters and Zellers.
alklay
Senior Member
Can you call Holt's a department store? It really has nothing more than expensive clothes and cosmetics.
officedweller
Senior Member
FYI - here's some information about the redevelopment of the Meier & Frank Department Store in Portland - similar concept - reduced floorspace Macy's department store below and hotel above. In that case, they added an atrium to the upper floors.
http://www.pdc.us/ura/river_district/meier-and-frank.asp
http://www.pdc.us/ura/river_district/meier-and-frank.asp
androiduk
Senior Member
I really hope they keep the 8th floor the way it is. I love walking through the Arcadian Court to the cafeteria and having a coffee ($1.61) by those giant windows overlooking both city halls. And my favourite painting in the whole city hangs in the foyer by the escalators, "Lights of a City Street" by F.M. Bell-Smith is a turn of the century painting of Yonge & King. It's so large you feel you could walk right into it and step back in time.
adma
Superstar
But that's where the action is, these days...
officedweller
Senior Member
Arcadian Court 1944 (before the kitschy late-1980s renovation):
Dinner event in the Arcadian Court, Simpsons, Toronto, September 14, 1944
http://www.hbc.com/hbcheritage/learning/gallery/default.asp?PAGE=2&intCategoryId=9
Also, slideshow here:
http://www.arcadiancourt.ca/location/slideshow2.htm
From the above, to this (ugh):
Dinner event in the Arcadian Court, Simpsons, Toronto, September 14, 1944
http://www.hbc.com/hbcheritage/learning/gallery/default.asp?PAGE=2&intCategoryId=9
Also, slideshow here:
http://www.arcadiancourt.ca/location/slideshow2.htm
From the above, to this (ugh):
adma
Superstar
Actually the original Arcadian Court was given a "stripped modern" makeover in the late 60s, comtemporary with the Simpson Tower--what we see now was in fact meant in the spirit of "restoration"...
Mustapha
Senior Member
That's a great place isn't it? The last of the downtown Toronto department store cafeterias.