West Queen West / A&D District

[AlbertC]

Holy crap - even I don't remember it looking so shitty. What was it back then??

I don't have any personal recollections of it back then either. Although I do have a bit more vivid memories of the Gladstone Hotel before their previous restoration.

According to Wiki the Drake Hotel building was a flophouse during the 70s, and then used as a "punk bar and rave den" in the 80 and 90s.

Drake Hotel (Toronto) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[rdaner]

Just some random photos along Queen on an absurdly warm February day! Btw I love the technique of the stairway in the very front as it looks great and lets natural light into the lower level.

 

[Towered]

Which cafe is that?

Also, good to see that building finally getting renovated after seemingly decades of vacancy. It looked dangerously close to collapsing the last few years.

 

[rdaner]

Which cafe is that?

Also, good to see that building finally getting renovated after seemingly decades of vacancy. It looked dangerously close to collapsing the last few years.

Bebop Joe’s Café at 960 Queen West (west of Shaw.) Very good coffee and across from the park.

And yes it is always good to see buildings brought back to life! This one is actually very deep and could contain dozens of units.

 

[rdaner]

Gladstone and Peel are getting a makeover. Taken 6 March.

 

[Northern Light]

Gladstone and Peel are getting a makeover. Taken 6 March.

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Good post; though we're following this project now in at least 3 different threads.

We've been seeing construction pics in the Cycling thread:

Cycling infrastructure (Separated bike lanes)

Latest update from The Meadoway... https://mailchi.mp/themeadoway/december-2021-newsletter-937853?e=13150a9503

urbantoronto.ca

But discussion of this project began in the Dufferin Jog thread, here:

Dufferin Street: Eliminating the jog

Probably not going to find a lot of buy in from retailers to overhaul their transport fleet though. If they keep running over pedestrians and wheelchairs, their insurers will impose requirements.

urbantoronto.ca

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I will say, I think the herringbone pattern here is handsome, but wish it were in Toronto red, not grey.

 

[Towered]

Gladstone and Peel are getting a makeover. Taken 6 March.

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I'm happy to report that this chaos has not impacted my visits to Island Foods!

 

[rdaner]

Trying this out and looking for feedback.

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

 

[AlbertC]

The reel is a nice touch for a quick look at updates in the area.

 

[rdaner]

Missed my stop so had to get off at Abell on Queen and walk south and found a few surprises. The first is the coffee shop pocket tucked into the wall of 34 Lisgar which is a great idea! Second is the fact that Sudbury Street is holding its own as a little retail strip that will only increase when the station is finished. Finally is the discovery (on my part) that there is a passage to the CAMH campus from Sudbury. Taken 9 March.