The Tenor (10 Dundas St E, Ent Prop Trust, 10s, Baldwin & Franklin)

[notyouagain]

In my opinion, the blame lies primarily with the City. Remember, it used its extraordinary power of expropriation to hand these properties over to Penequity. Penequity had no experience in urban environments and the result was entirely foreseeable. Further, the city had all the leverage it needed before transfering the property to Penequity. It failed to use that leverage out of sheer negligence. Time and time again, the city has proven completely inept when negotiating with the private sector.

 

[interchange42]

So it's the City's fault that PenEquity were not up to the task? It's the City's fault that PenEquity's directors couldn't have a caught a flight to New York or London or Paris or Tokyo to see how they do their downtown showplaces? I mean, PenEquity could even have headed down to the Richmond and John to see "Festival Hall" that the Paramount - I mean Parabank or whatever the hell it's called - Cinemas are house, which is a jewel compared to TLS (a rhinestone I guess). Talk about buck passing - this is PenEquity's fault for blowing it. As a private firm PenEquity should be looking to grow their brand with every project they undertake, so it is up to them to impress everyone who gazes upon their structures so as to help sell the next one. This is not the City's fault.

42

 

[Hipster Duck]

^Apples and oranges, interchange. The Paramount contains a movie theatre, an Extreme Fitness and a Milestones. TLS contains a movie theatre, an Extreme Fitness, a Milestones and a Jack Astors.

To compare them is obviously silly and, given what they did in the short time that they had to construct TLS, I think Pen Equity is to be commended on the architectural jewel that they have bequeathed us.

 

[CGM]

If PenEquity wants to build anything else in GTA, one condition for approval must be that they overhaul TLS and try to "fix" it as much as the city/community deems possible.

 

[grey]

I'm curious; let me try to put myself in the mindset of TLS apologists:

- It doesn't matter that TLS is poorly designed because it serves its purpose.

- It's not finished yet, don't judge it!

- The fact that cheapo tinfoil materials were used throughout doesn't matter because the target demographic is stupid to notice or doesn't care.

- Lackadaisical use of this important site is not an issue because it's an improvement compared to what was there before.

- If you didn't take any action (such as writing to your councillor, the developer, or city hall), you don't have any right to complain. For better or worse, TLS is the result of your inaction.

- Stop sharing opinions on the Internet! This is not what the Internet was designed for!

- Here's an unrelated editorial by Hume where he changed his mind about something. You should do this too!

- (Completely ignoring that this is one of the most pedestrian traffic-heavy intersections in the country and the city's explicit intention for this to be a landmark media square) What were you expecting from a building with Harvey's, burger joints and a movie theatre? You are all fools if you expected something spectacular.


Argh, thinking this way doesn't feel natural at all.

 

[Towered]

^ LOL!! You couldn't have distilled that any better, Grey.

 

[caltrane74]

I'm curious; let me try to put myself in the mindset of TLS apologists:

- It doesn't matter that TLS is poorly designed because it serves its purpose.

Exactly!!- On top of that, it seems to fit right in on Yonge Street

- It's not finished yet, don't judge it!

It's not, Finished - all buildings evolve over time

- The fact that cheapo tinfoil materials were used throughout doesn't matter because the target demographic is stupid to notice or doesn't care.

Right again, I haven't seen anyone in Dundas Square complaining about TLS.

- Lackadaisical use of this important site is not an issue because it's an improvement compared to what was there before.

Do you remember the "Yonge Street Mall"?

- If you didn't take any action (such as writing to your councillor, the developer, or city hall), you don't have any right to complain. For better or worse, TLS is the result of your inaction.

You have the right to complain. - The developer has a right to build what they see fit. - And city council and the public didn't see the need to intervene. - So you get what you deserve

- Stop sharing opinions on the Internet! This is not what the Internet was designed for!

That's not what Al Gore told me

- Here's an unrelated editorial by Hume where he changed his mind about something. You should do this too!

Since when did we start caring what Christopher Hume thinks?

- (Completely ignoring that this is one of the most pedestrian traffic-heavy intersections in the country and the city's explicit intention for this to be a landmark media square) What were you expecting from a building with Harvey's, burger joints and a movie theatre? You are all fools if you expected something spectacular.

If you weren't being sarcastic this would have been your best post of all time.

 

[grey]

Oh, Caltrane

 

[caltrane74]

Just having fun grey. But you've made our (the apologists) points out very well.

Especially your last point.

Which I very much agree with. - (what made Y/D the most heavily traffic'd pedestrian intersection in the country? Obvioulsy not the great design of the buildings, it was the over the top, gwady, & tacky advertising billboards running up and down the street that drew people in. The same thing which TLS will do)

Too bad you were being sarcastic, with that post....


...that's what I would say face to face to all the TLS bashers on this board.

 

[notyouagain]

So it's the City's fault that PenEquity were not up to the task? It's the City's fault that PenEquity's directors couldn't have a caught a flight to New York or London or Paris or Tokyo to see how they do their downtown showplaces? I mean, PenEquity could even have headed down to the Richmond and John to see "Festival Hall" that the Paramount - I mean Parabank or whatever the hell it's called - Cinemas are house, which is a jewel compared to TLS (a rhinestone I guess). Talk about buck passing - this is PenEquity's fault for blowing it. As a private firm PenEquity should be looking to grow their brand with every project they undertake, so it is up to them to impress everyone who gazes upon their structures so as to help sell the next one. This is not the City's fault.

42

42, my comments were in response to earlier posts which suggested that the city couldn't do anything in the absence of a design review panel. In fact, there was plenty it could do including:

1. choosing a developer with a proven track record; and
2. insisting on a substantial performace bond to ensure adherence with the original plan and construction schedule.

 

[Patriot]

Milestone's has opened! The patio is wicked!

The line-up for tickets at AMC theaters were almost to the entrance way...seems like the public enjoys the daytime movies best.

 

[scarberiankhatru]

^Apples and oranges, interchange. The Paramount contains a movie theatre, an Extreme Fitness and a Milestones. TLS contains a movie theatre, an Extreme Fitness, a Milestones and a Jack Astors.

To compare them is obviously silly and, given what they did in the short time that they had to construct TLS, I think Pen Equity is to be commended on the architectural jewel that they have bequeathed us.

Okay, compare oranges to tangerines: Metropolis vs Empress Walk...which conveniently has a movie theatre, a Milestone's, and a circular interior with a subway station in the basement. A few days ago I was in both of them within about a one hour span, and Empress Walk is clearly a superior complex.

 

[Hipster Duck]

Ha ha, sorry, I was clearly being facetious. Sarcasm doesn't show too well on these forums.

 

[interchange42]

I got it: I savoured up every sarcastic morsel. Sounds unbalanced, but sometimes that can't be helped.

42

 

[syn]

Just having fun grey. But you've made our (the apologists) points out very well.

Especially your last point.

Which I very much agree with. - (what made Y/D the most heavily traffic'd pedestrian intersection in the country? Obvioulsy not the great design of the buildings, it was the over the top, gwady, & tacky advertising billboards running up and down the street that drew people in. The same thing which TLS will do)

Too bad you were being sarcastic, with that post....


...that's what I would say face to face to all the TLS bashers on this board.

The problem with this reasoning is that you're assuming there must be a choice between good architecture & design and gawdy commercialism. The truth is, both are possible. TLS isn't just a scaffolding for advertising; it's a building with different uses. The interior isn't that well design and it's really just an unimpressive mall.