Toronto 75 on The Esplanade | 99.97m | 29s | Harhay | a—A

evandyk · Dec 21, 2021

DSC said:
People appear to be moving in.

Yeah, I was referring just to the ground floor finishes which interchange had asked for photos of. The building is definitely partially occupied above!

daniel_kryz · Dec 21, 2021

DSC said:
Replacing concrete poles with "Victorian ones is 'possible' (of course) but probably not unless someone (the BIA) pays for them. THSL won't and the developer was not forced to do so via the site plan.

They should've been required to do so. Planning in this city drives me crazy. It's not that hard... just make developers follow public realm plans and urban design guidelines. Although, I think Council recently had a motion to City Planning to make developers follow the St. Lawrence BIA Master Plan for their public realm designs... although I'm not sure how that would be achieved without new policies. As we've seen in this city, encouraging developers (to do even the cheapest of things) doesn't work and we often get an inconsistent public realm.

DSC · Dec 21, 2021

daniel_kryz said:
They should've been required to do so. Planning in this city drives me crazy. It's not that hard... just make developers follow public realm plans and urban design guidelines. Although, I think Council recently had a motion to City Planning to make developers follow the St. Lawrence BIA Master Plan for their public realm designs... although I'm not sure how that would be achieved without new policies. As we've seen in this city, encouraging developers (to do even the cheapest of things) doesn't work and we often get an inconsistent public realm.

You are quite correct that the City public realm plans (or aspirations?) are completely divorced from reality. The City streetscape manual is a lovely document that nobody (City departments or developers) seems to pay any attention to it and the street-lighting is run by Toronto Hydro whose contract calls for "the basics'. Even if a developer is forced to install 'better' street-lighting, THSL is not forced to maintain it and may, in fact, refuse to hook it up. (This happened on the Yonge St side of the L-Tower where the developer installed short Victorians but THSL refused to connect them because they were below the 'canopy' and against Code so they were removed.) I agree with you that, though the St Lawrence BIA Master Plan (another lovely document) may have been accepted by the City but .....

daniel_kryz · Dec 21, 2021

Thanks for the information. There are so many roadblocks to making this city better!

DSC said:
You are quite correct that the City public realm plans (or aspirations?) are completely divorced from reality.

Sadly. Another aspect is maintenance and the utility companies that mess everything up after it's built, only to rebuild to a much lower standard... or no standard at all. Also, Complete Streets aren't implemented for every project due to staff and funding shortages, but Mike Layton recently requested for that to be changed so that Complete Streets are the default, with a report to Council in 2023.

DSC said:
Even if a developer is forced to install 'better' street-lighting, THSL is not forced to maintain it and may, in fact, refuse to hook it up. (This happened on the Yonge St side of the L-Tower where the developer installed short Victorians but THSL refused to connect them because they were below the 'canopy' and against Code so they were removed.)

I wonder how this happens if TSHL provides input on development applications. Maybe they don't provide adequate comments or say everything is good during the approval stage, and then change their minds after the development is built.

DSC said:
I agree with you that, though the St Lawrence BIA Master Plan (a lovely document) may have been accepted by the City but .....

But what? Are there any reasons for that not work? If we get a good new agreement with Toronto Hydro, we should get Victorians for this area.

AlbertC · Jan 31, 2022

Jan 29, 2022

AlbertC · Feb 22, 2022

Edward Skira · Mar 9, 2022

AlbertC · Apr 11, 2022

junctionist · Apr 11, 2022

The design of the mechanical penthouse is seriously lacking. It looks ghastly from some perspectives. It's too heavy and overbearing. It doesn't engage with the architectural motifs of the tower.

The old Novotel hotel on the Esplanade will be missed if demolished for its stately and grand streetscape. Demolition should be a non-starter.

WeirdFishes · Apr 12, 2022

Undead · Apr 23, 2022

On the rare occasion the undead venture south of the ~~401~~ Bloor. Tonight:

mcirone · May 9, 2022

DSC said:
I said that the possible redevelopment of the site is 'only' rumour BUTit comes from a 'usually very reliable source'.

Any updated information on what's happening with the "temporary" homeless shelter at 45 The Esplanade?

DSC · May 10, 2022

mcirone said:
Any updated information on what's happening with the "temporary" homeless shelter at 45 The Esplanade?

There is a thread on the proposed development there at: https://urbantoronto.ca/forum/threads/toronto-45-the-esplanade-119-85m-36s-republic-ibi-group.33231/

AFIK, the City has signed a lease extension for the shelter that expires in spring 2023. I would assume that if the building plans have not moved to completion they may renew it again.

mburrrrr · May 31, 2022

75 on The Esplande at 2A Church St.
They should be able to finish the building this year and make it onto the nominee list for the UT annual best new buildings awards. The pool was tented in for a few months for some tile work. Other visible items to complete; the lower level canopy glass & cladding and some vertical trim for the roof top mechanical room.
We can only hope for a new retail tenant but I’m sure the neighbours at 45 are delaying any leasing considerations.