Grimsby The Casablanca | 87m | 25s | Rosseau | WZMH

[AlbertC]

Casablanca, Grimsby, Ontario

Located within a growing community close to the south shore of Lake Ontario adjacent to the existing historic Casablanca Inn, WZMH’s design creates a dist…

www.wzmh.com

Located within a growing community close to the south shore of Lake Ontario adjacent to the existing historic Casablanca Inn, WZMH’s design creates a distinct identity for this two tower residential project. Drawing inspiration from the Town’s historical context, the project’s undulating tower and podium forms recall the structure and design of the boats that once populated the lake’s shores.

The 22 and 19 storey towers are set back from the podium edge to provide visual clarity and reduce their perceived impact from the street. A recessed floor creates a sensitive transition from the podium to the towers. The project is designed to address its two public street frontages, and offers opportunities for the establishment of an attractive and lively public realm. Large expanses of glazing along the ground floor that display retail merchandise or offer glimpses of the indoor amenity areas, seamlessly connect the interior and exterior spaces. Supported by outdoor patio areas associated with the retail uses, the project will enhance the vibrancy and animation of the streetscape.

 

[afransen]

I drive by there often and I am quite surprised by the pace of development and the heights being built there.

 

[Scottyholden]

"Historic Casablanca Inn?" It was built in 1996..... And based on those pictures, it looks like they're tearing it down. It's located exactly where the smaller of the 2 condo's is being built. I'm super confused by this..

 

[Paclo]

19 & 12-storeys approved at Council in December 2021.

I believe the 22-storeys was perhaps a typo from WZMH, as their renderings posted above appears to be 19 & 12-storeys.

An indication of phasing from the Notice of Public Meeting of February 2021:

The proposed development:

• Phase 1 will consist of the construction of a new 19 storey apartment building with 212 dwelling units, ground floor retail/restaurant commercial space, and a new hotel with conference and banquet facilities on the footprint of the existing surface parking lot on the subject lands.

• Phase 2 will involve the demolition of the existing hotel, and the construction of a new 12 storey apartment building with 208 dwelling units and ground floor retail commercial space.

• An approximately 1,500 square metre outdoor park area is proposed to be located immediately adjacent to Winston Road in front of the building that comprises Phase 2.

• A total of 909 parking spaces will be contained within three levels of underground parking.

Site plan, from the same:

Slightly different renderings from Rosseau, photo metadata suggests that these are more recent:

 

[xy3]

Yuck!

 

[ben.thebean1]

Yuck!

Elaborate? haha

 

[UtakataNoAnnex]

The older design was much more expressive...a lot which now has been squared off in the current render. So the "Yuck!" for me was in the value nerf batting redesign which has de-evolved this project, IMO.

 

[jta5]

A bunch of changes to this proposal, and a change in status to Approved by OLT (@Paclo ). I can't link to the news article but its visible at this link: https://www.newsnowniagara.com/2024/06/16/newsnow-e-edition-june-13-2024/

In summary, heights increased to 15 and 25 storeys, and parking reduced to one space per residence. I'm not sure why this went to OLT (maybe a failure of the town to grant a decision within the legislated timeframe?) because the article says town staff supported the proposed changes. In addition to condos, a hotel and grade commerical are proposed/ approved.

The article states the address is 7 Windward but I'm pretty sure that's an error and that UT has it correct at 4 Windward.

 

[Paclo]

A bunch of changes to this proposal, and a change in status to Approved by OLT (@Paclo ). I can't link to the news article but its visible at this link: https://www.newsnowniagara.com/2024/06/16/newsnow-e-edition-june-13-2024/

In summary, heights increased to 15 and 25 storeys, and parking reduced to one space per residence. I'm not sure why this went to OLT (maybe a failure of the town to grant a decision within the legislated timeframe?) because the article says town staff supported the proposed changes. In addition to condos, a hotel and grade commerical are proposed/ approved.

The article states the address is 7 Windward but I'm pretty sure that's an error and that UT has it correct at 4 Windward.

The Zoning By-law was approved in Dec 2021, but the above changes were proposed via Minor Variances. 3/4 of which were approved by the CoA. The 4th item relating to minimum parking was rejected by CoA, appealed and subsequently OLT-approved. Case page here.

Main updates below, from the Merit Hearing Order of May 2024:

Renderings in the database remain from the previous design.