Toronto Bloor Street Revitalization | ?m | ?s | Bloor-Yorkville BIA | architectsAlliance

I had a first hand look yesterday. Its better than it was, but the street is screaming out for some mature trees. I would assume we have to wait until next year to see anything, but as others have mentioned the size of the planter boxes looks rather small in any case.

and on a personal note, that is my 2000th post. I used to be shy as a child...
 
I had a first hand look yesterday. Its better than it was, but the street is screaming out for some mature trees. I would assume we have to wait until next year to see anything, but as others have mentioned the size of the planter boxes looks rather small in any case.

and on a personal note, that is my 2000th post. I used to be shy as a child...

Congratulation's on your 2000th! Your contributions here (among many other members) have been enormous, especially your brilliant photographs; thank you Redroom :)

My dog is very sick so I haven't been by here in about a week, what a change! Except for that s/e corner & The Bay, this tired and rundown area has taken a 360 degree turn at street level. I'm also excited to see the planter boxes filled and trees lining the street next year along with the eventual completion to Avenue Road. I think the most dramatic change will be from Yonge to Avenue Road with all the high end shops contrasted against the revitalized steetscape. Sadly, the lack of bike lanes is my only complaint with this project.
 
I have to agree that the pavers looks great but that the rest seems rather underwhelming. They've gone to a lot of trouble to upgrade sidewalks without really looking at the bigger picture/opportunity of creating a more distinctly landscaped/branded shopping thoroughfare between Yonge and University.
 
Would have made a great spot for another scramble crossing.

Thanks for the pictures.

Read back a page or two Hypnotoad, this will be a scramble crossing.
 
I have to agree that the pavers looks great but that the rest seems rather underwhelming. They've gone to a lot of trouble to upgrade sidewalks without really looking at the bigger picture/opportunity of creating a more distinctly landscaped/branded shopping thoroughfare between Yonge and University.

But it will be! With the exception of the Manulife Centre and The Colonnade, many of the storefronts between Yonge & Avenue Road have been renovated in the past 2 or 3 years, several others are currently undergoing the process. The Manulife looks good as do their anchor tenant's at the east and west side of the main entrance but some of the Colonnade's retail could stand a refresh.
 
But it will be! With the exception of the Manulife Centre and The Colonnade, many of the storefronts between Yonge & Avenue Road have been renovated in the past 2 or 3 years, several others are currently undergoing the process. The Manulife looks good as do their anchor tenant's at the east and west side of the main entrance but some of the Colonnade's retail could stand a refresh.

I doubt he's talking about the stores themselves, but the public space in front of them.
 
Great pics, Drum. Bloor's really coming along, and I can't wait to see the planters filled next year.

Honestly, though, every time I see the RBC stump at the corner, I keep wanting to take a wrecking ball to it. If we can't have a proper square on the SE corner, I think we should at least have a half-decent piazza on the NE.
 
I doubt he's talking about the stores themselves, but the public space in front of them.

Yes, I thought the idea with the BIA initiative was to create some unity of design/branding to that stretch to give a sense of 'there' there, to mall-ify it a bit in other words. I think more could have been done without overdoing it; for balance the layers of individuality were already there in the built form, the commercialism and the store front designs etc.
 
I had a first hand look yesterday. Its better than it was, but the street is screaming out for some mature trees. I would assume we have to wait until next year to see anything, but as others have mentioned the size of the planter boxes looks rather small in any case.

and on a personal note, that is my 2000th post. I used to be shy as a child...

I believe that autumn is the best time to plant trees so we may not have to wait until next year. A bit of vegetation will make a huge difference.
 
I believe that autumn is the best time to plant trees so we may not have to wait until next year. A bit of vegetation will make a huge difference.

I joined the gardening committee and we worked with a landscaper on the landscaped roof terrace at one of my condos and I remember them telling me the same thing. Autumn in our climate is the best time to plant most (not all) trees.
 
Last edited:
Tree Planting

Early spring and late Autumn are equally good for planting trees, the key is that you want the tree to be as dormant as possible (ideally pre-budding or post-leaf) as this minimizes the risk to transplant shock.

Summer is poor both because its the middle growing season, but also due to higher risk of drought. The stress the tree is under makes it more likely to die.
Its not impossible to plant is summer, you just lose more trees that way, and you need to care for them more aggressively.

Winter would work mostly fine, except in our climate the ground freezes, which makes digging impractical and expensive.

Also you can't let exposed roots freeze, that will kill the tree, though if your snappy about planting it.....it should still be fine.

Although I'm sure there are exceptions, the only tree I know of with a clear seasonal planting preference is OAK, which does much better w/spring planting for some reason.

They won't be planting Oaks, so no worries, I expect you will see trees this fall.
 
The final 'scramble' pedestrian light was installed in front of Strollery's today, and with it, 'no turning' signs to the traffic lights. Greens are now arrows.
 
There were no turns during "rush hours" but this is good news that there will be no turns at any time now.
Have the diagonal scramble crossings been painted on the intersection yet?
 

Back
Top