There's a new condo coming to Dundas Square which is causing quite a bit of conversation within the Urban Toronto forums currently. A 39 storey mixed-use building is planned for 252 and 258 Victoria Street. Commercial office space would occupy floors 1-16, with 245 condo units occupying floors 17-35. Parking for 196 cars would occupy 5 underground levels.

Early renderings show this Diamond + Schmitt Architects design. Page + Steele / IBI Group Architects and heritage preservation experts ERA Architects are also onboard. Word is that changes may be required by the City's Design Review Panel.

A signficant component of this project is the restoration of 19 and 21 Dundas Square: these are historically designated 1913-built Hermant and 1930-built HNR buildings. They will remain office as and retail space.

From left to right; HNR and Hermant

What is causing controversy now is that the heritage designated 6-storey Hermant Annex at 258 Victoria, along with 2-storey 252 Victoria, will be demolished for the new tower.

Photo by tapesonthefloor

There are those on the forum who lament this loss: they feel that more and more of our history is slowly disappearing. And this building was historically designated for a reason after all.

There are others who don't see this as a big deal: they feel that as the new tower plan will restore 19 and 21 Dundas Square, sacrificing 258 Victoria is a small price to pay for this.

We are somewhat torn about this ourselves. What do you think? Tell us here, or within the forum itself.

This article was originally published in forum thread: 21 Dundas Square (HNR, 35s, Diamond+Schmitt/ERA/P+S)