Toronto Via Bloor | 138.37m | 46s | Tridel | a—A

[Gotzvon]

All of those stores offer the same level of food. But they're all at the same level. You're not going to find much organic food and just better, higher quality meats and produce (organic) at those stores. With the addition of all of these mid/higher end buildings there will be need for a grocer to match.

There is the Loblaws at Broadview and Danforth that is about a 2 minute drive or 15 minute walk. Granted it's not the nicest Loblaws in the world but I'd hardly say the area is a food desert with 5 grocers in the immediate area.

 

[TheKingEast]

There is the Loblaws at Broadview and Danforth that is about a 2 minute drive or 15 minute walk. Granted it's not the nicest Loblaws in the world but I'd hardly say the area is a food desert with 5 grocers in the immediate area.

When it comes to quality groceries, not much around. For those residing in Via, I'd say the Loblaws is a little too far mainly because of the highway that one has to cross over. It's a bit of a barrier. In the Summer? Sure. Winter? Much tougher walk.

 

[Edward Skira]

"Limited access" is also nuts! It's a literal 4-minute walk to the Castle Frank subway and a 3-minute walk to the Sherbourne stop and bike lane. It's maybe a 10-minute walk to one of the busiest subway stations in a G7 country.

It has excellent access to multiple modes of transport; access to this site is something close to the polar opposite of "limited."

I must ask, have you actually *been* here? Recently?

Retail works best (i.e. makes money) when it's contiguous to other retail. A full block of retail will generally have higher rents than a half block even if the half block is directly across the street. Retailers want to be near other retailers so they can piggy back on customers of the other stores. What do we have in this location? No retail on Bloor east of Sherbourne, nothing on Parliament and there's no chance of any across the street on Bloor. It doesn't matter how close the location is to transit it is still out of the way (i.e. limited access to other retail). The retail here need to be a strong destination type of retailer (Apple, MEC etc) to make an impact or it will pander to local needs. Nothing wrong with local but it will be limited. Ultimately, in retail terms, not that many people live nearby.

 

[LUVIT!]

Besides what's wrong with a pleasant residential strip anyway?

 

[stjames2queenwest]

Not that many people live nearby? It literally book ends the northern portion of one of North America’s densest neighbourhoods.

 

[Edward Skira]

Not that many people live nearby? It literally book ends the northern portion of one of North America’s densest neighbourhoods.

A lot of people yes. Enough people to support a vibrant retail strip by itself? Not really.

 

[someMidTowner]

https://www.tridel.com/blog/temporary-fencing-installed-via-bloor/

Temporary fencing has been installed at Via Bloor

January 2018 Community Update

We would like to share that the first of our milestones at the Via Bloor community been completed. All existing signage and billboards on the site have been removed and all temporary fencing surrounding the property has been installed.

Next week, we will begin the work to clean the site of all debris as well as remove any trees from the property. We anticipate to complete this by the end of January. Upon completion of the construction process, we will be replanting trees and shrubs as required by the final approved landscape plan for the community.

 

[3Dementia]

This has been designed as an "island". Might as well be suburban.

If Tridel had a guy/gal with a brain, they would have "bridged" this divide with Howard/Sherbourne and helped be driver for the neighbourhood (despite the threat of shoppers without A+ credit ratings). Worked in Cabbagetown for years.

 

[Hanlansboy]

Here’s where the site prep is at as of today...

 

[Koops65]

My pic from Saturday:

 

[Benito]

Today.

 

[TheKingEast]

When exactly did Tridel acquire the land? It seems like they've been moving at lightining pace from sales to now construction. Meanwhile Lanterra hasn't done anything with regards to the condos they were supposed to build. I'm guessing that's not happening anymore?

 

[cd concept]

The curvature of the one building and the stone and glass podium is going to look real nice !

 

[Koops65]

Via Bloor and surrounding developments:

 

[stjames2queenwest]

Nothing much since Benito’s post, just a couple extra context shots